"101 Quantum Questions" by Kenneth W. Ford, Harvard University Press 2011

Cover Image Harvard University Press

Quantum Physics studies the extremely small aspects of our universe.  Throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, a plethora of discoveries has been announced from quantum physicists. Scholarly books accessible to the public on quantum physics are rare, though Kenneth W. Ford  created an   accessible quantum physicists books, 101 Quantum Questions published by Harvard University Press.  Dr. Ford retired as the director of the American Institute of Physics in 1993 and has worked at several universities in the United States including: Indiana University, University of Massachusetts at Boston, University of California, Irvine, Brandeis University, and was President at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Ford was educated at some of the best universities in the world by obtaining his A.B from Harvard University and his PhD from Princeton University.

Dr. Ford illustrates the complicated nature of Quantum Physics by setting up his book in question form, as seen in the title. Each aspect of Quantum Physics is isolated with its own question to help illustrate the complex and exciting particle world. Ford’s writing style guides the book along nicely with an even balance of science and history of each section of Quantum Physics.

“Physics of the Impossible” by Michio Kaku Anchor Books, 2008

Introduction:

The study of physics explores how the universe works. There have been many great contributors to physics including, Einstein, Newton, Hawking, Hubble, Galileo, and Maxwell among countless others.  In the second half of the twentieth century string theory was born. Current theoretical physicist and Henry Semat Professor of theoretical physics at the graduate center of the City University of NewYork Michio Kaku pioneered string theory. Dr. Kaku has taken his expert knowledge in the world of Physics and has published several books with many of them topping out as National Bestsellers. These books include Beyond Einstein, Parallel Worlds, and Physics of the Impossible.  Along with his bestselling books, Professor Kaku has also appeared on many television shows including the History Channel’sThe Universe and the ScienceChannel’s Sci-Fi Science: Physics of theImpossible. One of the many different disciplines in physics lies Theoretical Physics. This field incorporates far out ideas, from time travel to force fields. In Dr. Kaku’s book Physics of the Impossible, he explores many of the ideas that are presently considered sci-fi, but could one day become fact. Dr Kaku’s intriguing book, Physics of the Impossible, brings alive Theoretical Physics to the everyday reader.  The book covers interesting topics that will remind even the smallest fan of science fiction of the classic science fiction of the Star Wars Trilogy, original Star Trek or even newer shows, like the shelved Stargate series and Battlestar Galactica. Physics of the Impossible is a book every person will enjoy, while making your mind think of the endless possibilities of the impossible.

“A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking, Bantam 1996

 Introduction:

Back to the Future, featuring Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox, was an epic movie exploring time travel. Time travel, physics, and space has peaked humanity's interest for centuries.  Whether it was Ptolemy of Alexandria, Copernicus, Galileo, or Einstein, humanity has learned a remarkable amount about the universe through advances in science.  Few physicists and astronomers have broken into mainstream society as Albert Einstein did during the 20^th century. Einstein transcended society unlike anyone has ever done. He was a rock star for his accomplishments, most notably general and special relativity. The popularity of Einstein is comparable today to Stephen Hawking. The recent Lucasian Professor of Mathematics is arguably today’s leading physicist. Hawking’s brilliant mind has delved into a variety of topics including: theoretical physics, quantum gravity, and quantum cosmology. Hawking’s book A Brief History of Time brings the complex universe into an understandable read. In his book, Hawking illustrates his expertise in physics making it easy to understand for people without a background in physics or mathematics.