The Secret Life of Quanta

By M.Y. Han

Book Overview

Advancing technology in many diverse field has brought about profound change in every facet of life. The rapid developments in strategic defense & laser research. Superconductivity, computers, & telecommunications rivet the attention of millions of individuals reeling from the fast pace of change in the Space Age. As the 21st century approaches, many wonder what it all means, and-more importantly-how these still-mysterious technologies are going to affect our lives. The Secret Life of Quanta conveys-without advanced math-an essential understanding of the physics of atoms & elemental particles, molecular structure, & electromagnetic radiation. In other words, this book explains how the physical universe works-& all of it in terms any interested reader can understand.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 083063889X
• ISBN13: 9780830638895
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Tab Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A semi-popular introduction to the impact of quanta

This book's motivation is very relevant. It introduces to user of modren technology ( computer, TV) the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and how it led to various modern technologies. There is no mathematics. But the book has a lot of interesting figures, which try to address of the technical issues. The author avoids all the paradoxes and philosophical issues of qunatum theory. The author introduces basic aspects of atoms. The author emphasis on the aspect of energy levels of electron shells. This is key aspect around which he discusses all the technology or its implications ( like laser, superconductor) or molecular systems. The seventh chapter deals with the core of computer. Better placing to the chapter whould have been between 10 & 11. Chpaters on lasers and superconductors are well written with some example of application, with photos. An photograph of aerial view of Fermi national Acelerator laboratory is given. There are such photographs which enhances the appreciation. The author also give a typical layout of a synchrotron. He does such balancing in his presentation. One warning: By Qunata, he primarily refers to Max Planck's concept of discrete energy levels. ( none of the issues like wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle). Given this nature of his presentation, 11 th chapter is on Nucleons, quarks, all that. ( It is out of place with the kind of theme and the level of focus). There is a good glossary. ( The book is written on 1990). May be a modern version will talk about quantum computer.