Brains Explains - Quantum Physics

by Ben Still

Quantum physics plays a big part in International Rescue's work helping people in distress all across the planet. It plays a big part in your life too ... without it we would not have the silicon chip, the laser, computers, or mobile phones and worst of all no Thunderbirds!

I have noticed that people find the subject hard to understand so I took it upon myself to pen this simple guide explaining the seemingly most complicated theories in astrophysics.

Clearly illustrated and easy to follow, let me, Brains, explain the winders of the universe!

Genres: Science

96 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2015

About the author

Ben is currently Honorary Research Fellow at Queen Mary, University of London and also teaches physics to 13-18 years old students. For years Ben has enjoyed sharing his passion for physics and the scientific method through his writing, collaborations with artists, and live performances. He is a multi award winning science communicator who has enjoyed national recognition for his work in the field. Although Ben's research interests lie primarily in the field of particle physics he relishes communicating many complex science topics to all audiences through metaphor, interactivity, and clear graphics.

Reviews

[Tony Calder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the title, this is actually an excellent primer on the subject of quantum physics, made extra enjoyable by the constant use of Thunderbirds to demonstrate the concepts being discussed :)

The author, Dr Ben Still, knows his stuff, and explains some very difficult concepts in a reasonably easy to understand way, although some of the concepts dealt with are still kinda mind-blowing - like quantum entanglement. I understand what it is, but I still struggle to wrap my brain around how it actually works :)

So, if you want a good, basic grounding in the field of quantum physics, this is a good place to start.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who better to teach astrophysics and quantum physics than Brains from Thunderbirds? Actually, despite a blackboard covered with scary-looking equations on the cover, there are none inside. Brains just runs through the history of this subject from about 1890 onwards, in mostly chronological order and at quite a pace, with a few pages in each chapter. Brains Explains reads rather like a 'lite' Brian Cox book, but believe me when I say it is no frivolous picnic of a read for little kids. This is pretty technical stuff, probably aimed at undergraduates, and told in a very concise way, albeit with pictures of Thunderbird 3 and Lady Penelope scattered in between to keep the reader feeling this might be fun. Brains covers a lot of ground in 96 pages, and changes subject matter quite often, so if you get totally lost on one part - as I did with the Qubit information stuff - the next part is something quite different and you can pick up the trail again. A very worthwhile read and attractively presented. 4.75/5

[Nasha Irshv · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dry boring and all over the place. If you think you want to learn basic quantum, this is NOT one you should read. Find others

[Odhran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really an odd one, in that I can't work out the target market. Too dense for kids, too simple for anyone who's read much on the subject. Interesting, though.