Simon Sherwood

Quantum Untangling (eBook, ePUB)

An Intuitive Approach to Quantum Mechanics from Einstein to Higgs

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Quantum Untangling

Non-technical and accessible primer providing key foundational knowledge on quantum mechanics and quantum field theory

Quantum Untangling introduces the readers to the fascinating and strange realm of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, written in an accessible manner while not shying away from using mathematics where necessary. The book goes into sufficient depth and conveys basic and more intricate concepts such as wave-particle duality, wave functions, the superposition principle, quantum tunneling, the quantum harmonic oscillator, the Dirac equation, and Feynman diagrams. It also covers the physics of the Higgs boson and provides a glimpse into string theory and loop quantum gravity.

Overall, the author introduces complex concepts of quantum mechanics in an accessible and fun-to-read manner while laying the groundwork for mastering an advanced level of treatment in standard quantum mechanics textbooks and university courses.

Quantum Untangling includes information on:

• Special relativity, time and length distortion, Einstein's famous equation, how Einstein figured it out, and the implications for energy, mass and momentum
• Wave particle duality, discussing what classical physics cannot explain, quanta of light and the photoelectric effect, De Broglie's crazy idea, and the double-slit experiment
• Making sense of Schrödinger's equation, angular momentum and the wave function, angular rotational energy, atomic structure and molecular bonds
• Spin, Quantum Electrodynamics, gauge invariance, the strong and weak forces, plus a step-by-step description of the Higgs mechanism

With Quantum Untangling, any reader with a good grasp of and an above-average interest in mathematics at advanced high-school level can follow the presentation and acquaint themselves with the fundamental and advanced topics of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, making it a helpful resource for many different students.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
• Erscheinungstermin: 26. Mai 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781394190621
• Artikelnr.: 75802626

Autorenporträt

Simon Sherwood studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University and has an MBA from Harvard Business School. Following four years as a strategy consultant with the Boston Consulting Group he embarked on a career in the hospitality industry as CEO of Orient-Express Hotels and more recently, Chairman of Elegant Hotels PLC. Simon Sherwood lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction xii

Acknowledgements xiii

Module I Special Relativity 1

1 Special Relativity 3

1.1 Special Relativity: Simple, Yet Baffling 3

1.2 The Speed of Light Is Constant: So What? 4

1.3 The Invariant Interval Equation 5

1.4 Time Distortion Quantified 6

1.5 Length Distortion 8

1.6 Leading Clocks Lag 9

1.7 Lorentz Transformations and Invariance 10

1.8 Summary: Are You Joking Mr Einstein? 11

2 Paradoxes of Special Relativity 13

2.1 Journey to a Distant Planet (1) 13

2.2 Journey to a Distant Planet (2) 14

2.3 The Twin Paradox 16

2.4 Experimental Proof 18

3 Einstein's Famous Equation 20

3.1 Mass, Energy, Momentum - and Particle Time 20

3.2 How Did Albert Figure It Out? 21

3.2.1 The Ingredients 21

3.2.2 The Calculation 21

3.2.3 The Intuition 22

3.3 Three Beautiful Equations 23

3.4 How Wrong Were We? 24

3.5 One Further Equation 25

3.6 Summary 26

Module II Essential Quantum Mechanics 27

4 Wave-particle Duality 29

4.1 Classical Physics Cannot Explain... 29

4.2 Quanta of Light and the Photoelectric Effect 30

4.3 De Broglie's Crazy Idea 31

4.4 The Double-slit Experiment 32

4.5 Schrödinger's Mistreated Cat 34

4.6 Summary 35

5 Superpositions and Uncertainty 37

5.1 The Free Particle Wave Function 37

5.1.1 The Phase of the Wave 38

5.1.2 Derivatives of the Free Particle Wave Function 38

5.1.3 Linking Back to Special Relativity 39

5.1.4 Consider a Rocket 40

5.2 From Sinusoid to Uncertainty 41

5.3 Superposition 42

5.3.1 Superposition Saves the Day 42

5.3.2 Combining Eigenstates 43

5.4 Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle 44

5.5 In Praise of Fuzziness 45

5.6 God Plays Dice: The Role of Probability 46

5.7 Summary 47

5.8 What Is This Wave Function? 47

5.9 The Role of Rest Mass 48

6 Everything Happens ... Kind of 49

6.1 The Feynman Path Integral 49

6.2 Change in Phase of the Wave Function 50

6.3 Simplified Path Integral Model 51

6.4 The Principle of Stationary Action 53

6.5 Action and the Lagrangian 54

6.6 From the Lagrangian to the Equations of Motion 55

6.7 The Uncertainty Relationship: A Different Perspective 56

6.8 Feynman Diagrams 57

6.9 Summary 58

7 Measurement and Interaction 60

7.1 What Can You Know about a Quantum System? 60

7.2 Collapse of the Wave Function 61

7.3 When a Body Meets a Body ... 63

7.4 An Electron in a Box 63

7.5 Collapse of the Wave Function - a Twist 65

7.6 Decoherence and the Measurement Problem 66

7.7 When a Body Leaves a Body - Entanglement at a Distance 67

7.8 Summary 68

8 Module Summary and Schrödinger 70

8.1 Module Summary 70

8.2 Adding up the Implications 73

8.3 The Path to Schrödinger's Equation 73

8.3.1 The Klein-Gordon Equation 74

8.3.2 A Taste of Schrödinger's Equation 75

8.3.3 Incorporating Potential Energy 76

8.4 Module Memory Jogger 78

Module III Complex Quantum Mechanics 79

9 Introducing Complex Numbers 81

9.1 Welcome to Complex Numbers 81

9.1.1 We Have a Problem 82

9.1.2 Complex Notation for Phase 82

9.1.3 Interference Calculations 83