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Hidden In Plain Sight 5: Atom by Dr. Andrew H. Thomas
An introduction to the principles of particle physics.
Solve the 100-year-old mystery which the great physicist, Paul Dirac, believed linked atoms to the secret of the entire universe.
Solve the 100-year-old mystery which the great physicist, Paul Dirac, believed linked atoms to the secret of the entire universe.
Paperback
Published January 1, 1796
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109 people want to read
About the author
Andrew H. Thomas
14 books11 followersDr. Andrew H. Thomas studied physics in the James Clerk Maxwell Building in Edinburgh University, and received his doctorate from Swansea University in 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 11, 2017
Excellent reference book.
Mr Thomas has a knack for explaining the more complex physics in an intuitive manner. His explanation of spin is the best and most clear I've read so far, and I've read many!
As in all his books, (I have one of the current six left to read), he painstakingly, but clearly, derives formulas and explains concepts that other authors skim over or botch altogether.
Worth the price simply for the clear explanation of the nucleus and the forces acting upon it. I would have enjoyed an explanation of all the quarks as opposed to only the 'major' ones with a cursory mention of the rest. Maybe this could be the topic of a future book of his. ;o)
While reading this book, many times I thought how great it would have been to have had it while in college (CEGEP) and university!
Mr Thomas has a knack for explaining the more complex physics in an intuitive manner. His explanation of spin is the best and most clear I've read so far, and I've read many!
As in all his books, (I have one of the current six left to read), he painstakingly, but clearly, derives formulas and explains concepts that other authors skim over or botch altogether.
Worth the price simply for the clear explanation of the nucleus and the forces acting upon it. I would have enjoyed an explanation of all the quarks as opposed to only the 'major' ones with a cursory mention of the rest. Maybe this could be the topic of a future book of his. ;o)
While reading this book, many times I thought how great it would have been to have had it while in college (CEGEP) and university!
January 6, 2016
As the other books from Dr Thomas, this starts with explanation on physics phenomena and ends with his own theories. I found the first part a little superficial, and felt like he went too fast to the conclusion of how things are like they are, as I am no physicist.
The second part is very similar to the explanation on his 2nd book, where the Schwarzschild radius is the balance of gravity, where it is not attractive or repulsive. The new information he brought in this book was that the same Schwarzschild radius is responsible for the asymptotic freedom of the strong force, which holds the quarks together inside the protons or neutrons.
The second part is very similar to the explanation on his 2nd book, where the Schwarzschild radius is the balance of gravity, where it is not attractive or repulsive. The new information he brought in this book was that the same Schwarzschild radius is responsible for the asymptotic freedom of the strong force, which holds the quarks together inside the protons or neutrons.
April 3, 2016
Though sometimes difficult to understand, for the most part, much of what he explains in this book makes sense. The math can be tricky but there isn't much math. The one think I liked about this book is that he wasn't as redundant in his explanations as his previews book in the series. I look forward to reading his next installment.
January 17, 2021
Another great book in the Hidden inn Plain Side series. As i have started before in previous reviews of the first five books, Andrew Thomas has a great skill in explain complex subjects to the layperson. The first 80% of the book does a very good job of explaining the forces involved in the construction of an atom, symmetry and gauge theory in the most important parts of the universe.
As standard for him; he finishes off the book by presenting his own theories and this time he went back to his Modified Gravity Hypothesis which he presented in the second book. To be fair, the numbers so match up and gee presents it very well when using it to compare the relationship between the radius of the universe to the radius of an atom. I enjoyed how he constructed this hypothesis with negative energy etc and this built on that.
Good book!
As standard for him; he finishes off the book by presenting his own theories and this time he went back to his Modified Gravity Hypothesis which he presented in the second book. To be fair, the numbers so match up and gee presents it very well when using it to compare the relationship between the radius of the universe to the radius of an atom. I enjoyed how he constructed this hypothesis with negative energy etc and this built on that.
Good book!
January 3, 2018
This book explained some of the most complex ideas of particle physics in simple ways that I could understand. There were several areas where the author explained the meaning of equations used in quantum field theory in a way I had never seen before. This provided insights I never saw while reading several other books on this subject.
Even without the explanations for key equations, the book provides a great overview of the state of particle physics. It is a quick read, packed with information.
Even without the explanations for key equations, the book provides a great overview of the state of particle physics. It is a quick read, packed with information.
February 9, 2018
Another great installment
I really enjoyed this volume. The inclusion of the background math really helped me. Plus the background on who discovered things was helpful. On to Volume 6
I really enjoyed this volume. The inclusion of the background math really helped me. Plus the background on who discovered things was helpful. On to Volume 6
November 6, 2018
"The astonishing thing about recent discoveries in physics is that they tell us the universe is surprisingly simple and regular, on the tiniest scale and on the hugest scale. It's only complicated in the middle.” - Neil Turok
February 24, 2020
An accessible account of Atom
The best thing about the book is that it doesn't refrain from using simple maths unlike most other popular science book. This suits me well as my background is in engineering and I am used to see equations on a daily basis. Finally some easy to grasp insight into matrix formulation of Quantum mechanics! Discussion on Eigen number and vectors was also good. Description of Feynman diagram and strong/weak nuclear forces was also good. All in all a nice short pseudo-technical book on atom. The only thing which invites doubt is chapter 7 on modified gravity hypothesis. Need to dig more for its credibility as it is the first time I have encountered the concept.
The best thing about the book is that it doesn't refrain from using simple maths unlike most other popular science book. This suits me well as my background is in engineering and I am used to see equations on a daily basis. Finally some easy to grasp insight into matrix formulation of Quantum mechanics! Discussion on Eigen number and vectors was also good. Description of Feynman diagram and strong/weak nuclear forces was also good. All in all a nice short pseudo-technical book on atom. The only thing which invites doubt is chapter 7 on modified gravity hypothesis. Need to dig more for its credibility as it is the first time I have encountered the concept.
January 3, 2016
Another Gem
Easy to understand explanations of particle behavior, atomic structure, the 4 fundamental forces and some of the difficulties encountered in developing a consistent standard model. A little more math involved in this latest work but still within the realm of understanding for the average reader.
Easy to understand explanations of particle behavior, atomic structure, the 4 fundamental forces and some of the difficulties encountered in developing a consistent standard model. A little more math involved in this latest work but still within the realm of understanding for the average reader.
August 22, 2016
This book series presents topics in physics in such a way that, even though I've read about most of it before, it becomes much clearer. He seems to come at things from a different direction, but one that is more understandable for someone who is not well versed in the complex terminology of modern day physics.
March 22, 2018
The real gem of the series. Contains the intuition behind the Dirac equation (and its derivation), Pauli exclusion principle, structure of electron shells etc. “The unreasonable effectiveness of math” in real world happens because real world _is_ math.
June 5, 2016
New thinking
Excellent treatment of quite difficult topics. Enjoyable reading. New viewpoints are well presented and well thought out. Overall an excellent book.
Excellent treatment of quite difficult topics. Enjoyable reading. New viewpoints are well presented and well thought out. Overall an excellent book.
September 30, 2016
Not so easy at the end my head kept spinning
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews