Quantum Themes

by Padmanabhan, Thanu

• ISBN13: 9789812835451
• ISBN10: 9812835458
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-03-12
• Publisher: World Scientific Pub Co Inc

Summary

Quantum theory is one of the more abstract branches of theoretical physics, yet it makes clear and concrete predictions which are repeatedly verified experimentally. More recently, there has been some confluence between the concepts of microphysics and those of macrophysics. Currently fashionable ideas in cosmology are also deeply linked to concepts from quantum theory, thus piquing greater interest in this subject. This timely book takes stock of what quantum theory has achieved and where it is leading to at present, in a manner understandable to an educated layman. The book describes concepts in a strictly scientific manner without trying to make them sound overly philosophical or hyping them up. At the same time, careful explanation of the concepts and details (including the technical terminology) are given in a nonmathematical language for the general reader. In particular, emphasis is given to the specific aspects of quantum theory that interface with gravity and cosmology, so as to keep the book reasonably up to date and focused on a key underlying theme.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
The hubris of classical physics	p. 1
Explaining nature: Apples and the moon	p. 1
More laws of classical physics	p. 9
Laws of physics in moving cars	p. 16
Heat as a form of motion	p. 19
Entropy: A new beast	p. 25
A peep ahead: Where did it go wrong?	p. 32
And then there was Einstein	p. 37
Something crazy about light	p. 37
Time and its flow	p. 39
Relativity in action	p. 43
Principle of equivalence	p. 48
Gravity and light: More amazing consequences	p. 56
Gravity and the universe	p. 61
The odd man out	p. 67
Madness of the micro-world	p. 69
Waves	p. 69
Electron: Wave or particle?	p. 73
Things are quantized!	p. 80
Spin and the social behaviour of particles	p. 87
Interaction of matter and radiation	p. 91
The atomic nuclei	p. 95
Quantum states of cats and other conceptual issues	p. 104
Particles, particles everywhere	p. 111
Adding relativity to quantum theory	p. 111
The particle zoo	p. 120
Leptons and quarks	p. 121
Quantum electrodynamics: A prototype model	p. 127
Weak and strong interactions	p. 133
The secret life of the vacuum	p. 138
Cosmos and the quantum	p. 143
Structure of the universe	p. 143
Thermal history of the universe	p. 146
Very early universe	p. 152
Inflation	p. 155
Dark matter	p. 158
Structure formation	p. 160
Ripples in radiation	p. 162
Dark energy	p. 164
Matters of gravity	p. 171
This peculiar thing called gravity	p. 171
Particles from the vacuum	p. 178
Horizon, entropy and temperature	p. 188
Gravity as an emergent phenomenon	p. 197
Black holes, singularity and the information	p. 200
In the beginning	p. 205
But, how did it all begin?	p. 205
Chemical elements	p. 205
Galaxies and stars	p. 206
The origin of initial perturbation	p. 209
Quantum cosmology	p. 211
Cosmogenesis	p. 214
Index	p. 217
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