Sam B. Treiman Libros

This rare and much-needed book offers a concise yet comprehensive account of quantum mechanics for popular science readers, authored by a respected physicist. Sam Treiman, renowned for his work in particle physics, makes quantum mechanics accessible to nonspecialists with clear prose and infectious enthusiasm. He begins with an overview of the field, tracing its early development through the contributions of Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger, while illustrating how the quantum perspective challenges common sense. The quantum world is fundamentally probabilistic; particles do not occupy specific locations or possess definite momenta at any given time. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle establishes limits on how precisely both can be known simultaneously. Additionally, particles can traverse barriers and occupy regions forbidden by classical mechanics, and when faced with multiple paths, they explore all simultaneously. Treiman emphasizes the wave-particle duality and its representation in quantum field theory, highlighting the identical nature of particles within a species and the unsettling ability to create and destroy them. He also addresses deep philosophical questions surrounding quantum mechanics, particularly the transition from probabilities to facts. With impeccable science, engaging writing, and a talent for clear explanation, this work serves as a remarkable survey of a field that has profoundly influence