Universe on a T-Shirt: The Quest for the Theory of EverythingSkyhorse, 2013 M05 1 - 256 pages No scientific quest is as compelling as the search for the key to understand the universe—the elusive unified “Theory of Everything”—a theory so concise it could fit on a T-shirt. Lively and thought-provoking, Universe on a T-Shirt tells the fascinating story of the search for the Holy Grail of physics. Dan Falk places this intriguing story in its historical context, tracing the quest from ancient Greece to the breakthroughs of Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein, to the excitement over string theory and today’s efforts to merge quantum theory with general relativity. With as much emphasis on history as on science, Falk’s accessible approach is ideal for anyone intrigued by the advances in modern physics but still wondering what theoretical physicists are searching for, and why. Today’s physicists use sophisticated methods, but their goal—the search for simplicity—has not changed since the time of the ancient Greeks. Universe on a T-Shirt is filled with quirky personalities, brilliant minds, and bold ideas—high science and high drama. "An admirably concise and comprehensive overview of cosmology . . . [that] offers intriguing insights into the philosophic and personal outlooks motivating the scientists involved, from the ancient Greeks through Newton and Einstein . . . [and] Stephen Hawking and Ed Witten.”—Booklist |
Contents
Heaven and Earth | |
Flashes of Insight | |
Relativity Space and Time | |
Quantum Theory and Modern Physics | |
Tying Up Loose Ends | |
What Does It All Mean? | |
Epilogue | |
Afterword | |
Recommended Reading | |
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American answer appear astronomers atom beauty become believe called Cambridge century charged cosmos course described developed discovered discovery early earth effect Einstein electricity electromagnetism electrons energy equations example exist experiment explain fact field final force Galileo gravity Greek Hawking ideas imagine interview John Kepler kind known later laws light live look magnetism mass mathematical matter Maxwell measure mechanics motion moving nature needed never Newton objects observer orbits origin particles perhaps philosopher physicists physics picture planets position predict problem Publishing quantum mechanics quantum theory question quoted reason relativity result says scientific scientists seemed seen showed simple space special relativity speed stars string theory Theory of Everything things thought turn Tycho understand unified universe University Press waves York