Quantum Physics, Mini Black Holes, and the Multiverse: Debunking Common Misconceptions in Theoretical Physics

ISBN-13: 9783319417080 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 212 str.

Yasunori Nomura; Bill Poirier; John Terning

Opis

-...The Multiversal book series is equally unique, providing book-length extensions of the lectures with enough additional depth for those who truly want to explore these fields, while also providing the kind of clarity that is appropriate for interested lay people to grasp the general principles involved.- - Lawrence M. KraussThis book explores, explains and debunks some common misconceptions about quantum physics, particle physics, space-time, and multiverse cosmology, and seeks to separate the science from the pseudoscience. Across three sections, the book addresses a broad range of topics including: - the size of elementary particles (no observable size, yet)- the structure of atoms (not like mini solar systems)- particle colliders (how they are different from but related to microscopes)- mini black holes (and why they couldn't have destroyed the Earth when the LHC was switched on)- the Higgs boson destroying the universe (what Stephen Hawking was really talking about)- parallel universesThe book also clarifies what the basic experimental facts imply about the nature of nonlocality, the quantum wavefunction, and what can be measured. It discusses two key quantum experiments: the double-slit experiment and the EPR experiment. In both cases, reasoning is by analogy with everyday situations that the reader is already familiar with, with the mathematics kept to a bare minimum. The final section of the book covers multiverse cosmology, showing that it follows the standard methodology in science: forming a hypothesis about the natural world based on observation (with the help of mathematics) and then looking for evidence that further supports it. It clarifies that the multiverse concept is based on mathematics, it is a prediction/consequence of string theories, and a subject of current research activity, rather than a construct of pseudoscience or science fiction. The material is presented in a layperson-friendly language followed by additional technical sections which explain basic equations and principles. This feature is very attractive to readers who want to learn more about the theories involved beyond the basic description. Part one of a related documentary about the Multiverse is available online at https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=k06VoxcP0i8 Multiversal Journeys(TM) is a trademark of Farzad Nekoogar and Multiversal Journeys, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Recenzje

"This book stands above others in its genre of physics books for laypeople. The subtitle promises that commonly held fallacies about popular topics in physics will be clarified. ... Topics covered include basic quantum mechanics, relativity theory, and particle physics. ... Highly recommended. All levels/libraries." (A. Spero, Choice, Vol. 56 (02), October, 2018)

Spis treści

Preface

 

Chapter 1       Misconceptions about Space-Time and Particle Physics

1.1       Introduction

1.2       Particles are little balls

1.3       Atoms are tiny Solar Systems

1.4       Seeing atoms requires a really big optical microscope

1.5       Collider spawns planet devouring black hole

1.6       God particle could wipe out the Universe

1.7       LHC could prove existence of parallel Universe

1.8       Scientists raise concerns about cell-phones

1.9       The cold fusion race just heated up

1.10      Spinach: a cautionary tale

1.11      Extra material: The equations behind the words

1.12     Summary

 

Chapter 2       Misconceptions in Quantum Physics

2.1       Introduction

                        What the experts say

                        Why quantum physics is weird

                        What is the real role of science?

2.2       Wave Particle Duality

2.3       Quantum Probability Waves

2.4       Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

2.5       Double Slit Experiment

                        Single slit experiment (classical)

                        Single slit experiment (quantum)

                        Double slit experiment (classical)

                        Double slit experiment (quantum)

2.6       Wavefunction Revisited

                        Many particle wavefunctions

                        Wavefunction measurement (quantum tomography, weak measurement)

                        Collapse and Schrödinger’s cat

2.7       Nonlocality

                        Hidden variables

                        Bell’s theorem

                        EPR experiment as a quantum coin toss game

2.8       Interpretations of Quantum Physics

2.9       Popular Depictions of Quantum Physics

2.10     Summary

 

Chapter 3       Misconceptions in Cosmology

3.1       Introduction

3.2       Our Universe

3.3       The Multiverse

3.3       Future Progress (Observations & Theoretical)

3.4       Summary

 

Glossary

About the Authors

Index

O autorze

Professor John Terning is a Professor of Physics at University of California, Davis. He received his Ph.D. from University of Toronto and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University. He was also a researcher at Boston University, University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University. Professor Terning was a staff member at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. John Terning’s research Interests include theoretical particle physics, electroweak symmetry breaking, supersymmetry, cosmology, extra dimensions, and AdS/CFT correspondence. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and his research papers have over eight thousand citations.   

Professor L. William Poirier is Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Research Professor and also Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Distinguished Faculty Member at Texas Tech University, in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and also the Department of Physics. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a chemistry research associateship at the University of Chicago. He is also the recipient of a DoE Early Career Award, and the TTU Tribute to Teachers Award. His research interest lies in understanding and solving the Schroedinger equation of quantum mechanics, from both foundational and practical perspectives. In 2009, he developed a new theory of quantum mechanics without wavefunctions, together with an interpretation that has now come to be known as “many interacting worlds.” He is also the recent author of A Conceptual Guide to Thermodynamics (Wiley, 2014).

Professor Yasunori Nomura is director of the Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics. He received his Ph.D from University of Tokyo in 2000. After serving as a Miller research fellow at University of California, Berkeley and as an Associate Scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, he was appointed to the faculty of University of California, Berkeley in 2003. Professor Nomura is a leading theoretical physicist working on particle physics, quantum gravity, and cosmology. He developed theories of grand unification in higher dimensional spacetime and constructed the first realistic composite Higgs model in which the Higgs boson arises from a symmetry breaking. He also proposed that the eternally inflating multiverse is the same thing as quantum many worlds. Professor Nomura is a recipient of the DOE Outstanding Junior Investigator Award, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, Hellman Family Faculty Fund Award, and Simons Fellowship in Theoretical Physics.

Blurb

"Modern physics is rife with provocative and fascinating ideas, from quantum mechanics to the multiverse. But as interesting as these concepts are, they are also easy to understand. This book, written with deft hands by true experts in the field, helps to illuminate some of the most important and game-changing ideas in physics today."

                                                                                                 Sean M. Carroll

 

"The Multiversal book series is equally unique, providing book-length extensions of the lectures with enough additional depth for those who truly want to explore these fields, while also providing the kind of clarity that is appropriate for interested lay people to grasp the general principles involved. "  

                                                                                                Lawrence M. Krauss

This book explores, explains and debunks some common misconceptions about quantum

physics, particle physics, space-time, and Multiverse cosmology. It seeks to separate

science from pseudoscience.

The material is presented in layperson-friendly language, followed by additional technical

sections which explain basic equations and principles. This feature is very attractive

to non-expert readers who nevertheless seek a deeper understanding of the theories,

and wish to explore beyond just the basic description.

Multiversal Journeys™ is a trademark of Farzad Nekoogar and Multiversal Journeys, a

501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.