Time, Space and Things

by B.K. Ridley

There are some wonderfully bizarre ideas in physics, and it seems a pity to keep them locked up in small boxes, available only to an esoteric coterie of key holders. Brian Ridley's book sets out to survey in simple, nonmathematical terms what physics has to say about the fundamental structure of the universe. He deals with all the basic concepts of modern physics: elementary particles, black holes, gravity, quantum theory, time, mass, relativity and energy; this new edition also includes coverage of more recently emerging ideas, including strings, imaginary time and chaos. Ridley's clear and witty account gives an exciting introduction to the nonspecialist while offering a fresh perspective to scientists themselves.

Genres: Science, Physics

204 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 1977

Reviews

[ciel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still very much not a knowledgeable physicist but can't deny the fact that I find the voices of physics the most soothing and calming. Ridley also had a great sense of humour in the 90s and additionally, the persistent reader is rewarded with Appendix 3-- a quantum physics poem that is amazing in its wholesome-ness.

[Steve Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only physics book I've come across that actually tries to describe what a magnetic field IS rather than just its properties and effects. An important difference.

[Tim Pendry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid (if four decades old) account of the basics of physics from a senior academic. Almost certainly outdated now, some readers may still find it useful as a series of ten essays building up a picture of what underpins classical and quantum physics.

However, it is not really pitched at the general reader but at someone who already has an inkling of the language behind the physical sciences. It is not an easy read for someone at a lower level and the first year undergraduate or bright final year school student will now need a more recent text.