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Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction | John Polkinghorne
2 posts | 1 read | 3 to read
In simple language, without mathematics, this book explains the strange and exciting ideas that make the subatomic world so different from the world of the every day. It offers the general reader access to one of the greatest discoveries in the history of physics and one of the oustanding intellectual achievements of the twentieth century.
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rwmg
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The author takes a historical approach showing what problems with a Newtonian-based view quantum theory was reacting to and then how it has developed over the years. The easiest parts of the maths involved are relegated to an appendix, although the author stresses that it's impossible to fully understand the theory without the maths. Even in this stripped down form I was struggling but I think I did get glimmers of understanding here and there.

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rwmg
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TheSpineView That looks like a good book. Is it overly complicated? 1mo
rwmg @TheSpineView I'm about 1/2 way through. He's taking us through it historically, which I think does make it easier to follow than a topical overview would. For the most part he has relegated the maths to an appendix but often warns us that it's a recurring problem that people can do the maths but that doesn't mean we actually understand what's going on in real life and without the maths even less so. (edited) 1mo
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