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Big Ideas Simply Explained
The Physics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
Explore the laws and theories of physics in this accessible introduction to the forces that shape our Universe, our planet, and our everyday lives.
Using a bold, graphic-led approach The Physics Book sets out more than 80 key concepts and discoveries that have defined the subject and influenced our technology since the beginning of time. With the focus firmly on unpicking the thought behind each theory - as well as exploring when and how each idea and breakthrough came about - seven themed chapters examine the history and developments in areas such as Energy and Matter, and Electricity and Magnetism, as well as quantum, nuclear, and particle physics.
Eureka moments abound: from Pythagoras's observations of the pleasing harmonies created by vibrating strings, and Galileo's experiments with spheres, to Isaac Newton's apple and his conclusions about gravity and the laws of motion. You'll also learn about Albert Einstein's revelations about relativity; how the accidental discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation confirmed the Big Bang theory; the search for the Higgs boson particle; and why most of our Universe is missing. If you've ever wondered exactly how physicists formulated - and proved - their abstract concepts, The Physics Book is the book for you.
Using a bold, graphic-led approach The Physics Book sets out more than 80 key concepts and discoveries that have defined the subject and influenced our technology since the beginning of time. With the focus firmly on unpicking the thought behind each theory - as well as exploring when and how each idea and breakthrough came about - seven themed chapters examine the history and developments in areas such as Energy and Matter, and Electricity and Magnetism, as well as quantum, nuclear, and particle physics.
Eureka moments abound: from Pythagoras's observations of the pleasing harmonies created by vibrating strings, and Galileo's experiments with spheres, to Isaac Newton's apple and his conclusions about gravity and the laws of motion. You'll also learn about Albert Einstein's revelations about relativity; how the accidental discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation confirmed the Big Bang theory; the search for the Higgs boson particle; and why most of our Universe is missing. If you've ever wondered exactly how physicists formulated - and proved - their abstract concepts, The Physics Book is the book for you.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
1000 people are currently reading
3160 people want to read
About the author
Jim Al-Khalili
40 books739 followersDr. Jameel Sadik "Jim" Al-Khalili is an Iraqi-British theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. He is professor of theoretical physics and chair in the public engagement in science at the University of Surrey. He is a regular broadcaster and presenter of science programmes on BBC radio and television, and a frequent commentator about science in other British media.
In 2014, Al-Khalili was named as a RISE (Recognising Inspirational Scientists and Engineers) leader by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). He was President of Humanists UK between January 2013 and January 2016.
In 2014, Al-Khalili was named as a RISE (Recognising Inspirational Scientists and Engineers) leader by the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). He was President of Humanists UK between January 2013 and January 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 16, 2022
This delightful and compact encyclopedia of physics is organized in seven parts that follow an introductory chapter. Below, I have listed the part titles and example entries in each part.
- Measurement and Motion--Physics and the Everyday World: Momentum, conservation of energy, gravity.
- Energy and Matter--Materials and Heat: The gas laws, laws of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics.
- Electricity and Magnetism--Two Forces Unite: Making magnets, the motor effect, bioelectricity, storing data.
- Sound and Light--The properties of Waves: Music, focusing light, polarization, the Doppler effect & redshift.
- The Quantum World--Our Uncertain Universe: Energy quanta, particles & waves, quantum entanglement.
- Nuclear and Particle Physics--Inside the Atom: (Sub)Atomic particles, antimatter, nuclear bombs & power.
- Relativity and the Universe--Our Place in the Cosmos: Special relativity, dark matter/energy, string theory.
The book ends with a directory, a glossary, a list of contributors, quotations, and acknowledgments.
Clifford A. Pickover also has a book by the same title, but bearing the subtitle "From the Big Bang to Quantum Resurrection, 250 Milestones in the History of Physics," which I have previously reviewed on GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Both books cover pretty much the same ideas, with Pickover's organized as a historical timeline and this book by clustering of topics, beginning with simple, universal notions and ending with the complicated topics of relativity and the universe.
- Measurement and Motion--Physics and the Everyday World: Momentum, conservation of energy, gravity.
- Energy and Matter--Materials and Heat: The gas laws, laws of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics.
- Electricity and Magnetism--Two Forces Unite: Making magnets, the motor effect, bioelectricity, storing data.
- Sound and Light--The properties of Waves: Music, focusing light, polarization, the Doppler effect & redshift.
- The Quantum World--Our Uncertain Universe: Energy quanta, particles & waves, quantum entanglement.
- Nuclear and Particle Physics--Inside the Atom: (Sub)Atomic particles, antimatter, nuclear bombs & power.
- Relativity and the Universe--Our Place in the Cosmos: Special relativity, dark matter/energy, string theory.
The book ends with a directory, a glossary, a list of contributors, quotations, and acknowledgments.
Clifford A. Pickover also has a book by the same title, but bearing the subtitle "From the Big Bang to Quantum Resurrection, 250 Milestones in the History of Physics," which I have previously reviewed on GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Both books cover pretty much the same ideas, with Pickover's organized as a historical timeline and this book by clustering of topics, beginning with simple, universal notions and ending with the complicated topics of relativity and the universe.
July 22, 2020
This is more a coffeetable book than something you'd actually use. The ideas aren't explained so much as simply listed with some history.
August 6, 2022
Very enjoyable read. The history of discoveries, short personal bios of scientists and clear and simple explanations of concepts. Excellent way of presenting our progressive acquisition of knowledge. There is a noticeable gap of discoveries, theories, experiments and scientific activities between 500 and 1500. Scientists were sometimes prevented from publishing or acting on their findings because of the influence of political or religious organizations but setbacks were temporary as the quest for understanding and applying newly acquired principles of physics to inventions was just too strong.
October 16, 2020
I like recognizing so many famous scientists- and learning about new ones. I especially liked that they introduced a woman scientist- Emmy Noether- very early on. However, they do need to double-check one detail in future editions: Nikolaus Copernicus was Polish, not Italian, even though he did study in Italy for a few years. Otherwise, great organization and illustrations.
November 1, 2023
The Physics Book goes over a wide range of physics concepts, experiments, breakthroughs, and scientists through the ages who had an important impact on physics. This book relates to my physics class, and some of what I learned in physics appeared, such as how batteries work and Pascal's principle. It was a very stimulating and intriguing book. I read about some odd but cool things, such as antimatter, particles such as quarks and neutrinos, and the nature of light. I liked how everything was connected and how the author made sure to reference other sections that were similar. For example, the debate over the nature of light and whether it was a particle or wave was constantly mentioned in the "Sound and Light" and "The Quantum World" sections. Sometimes it was a little tedious, particularly when I was confused about certain explanations and concepts. I also liked how each section had relevant quotes, a flow chart describing what the section would talk about, the key scientist, and creative illustrations. I would recommend this book to those who like science and physics, or who like reading about scientific concepts and scientists.
January 9, 2024
A fantastic book
This volume illustrates the fact that we do stand on the shoulders of giants: the men and women through the ages who spent their lives trying to understand the relationship of things. There is very little Math involved- some formulae but well presented. While not a book for children I would recommend it for the precocious mind.This book inspired me to break off and read more about the individuals that were covered:Maxwell, Dirac etc
This volume illustrates the fact that we do stand on the shoulders of giants: the men and women through the ages who spent their lives trying to understand the relationship of things. There is very little Math involved- some formulae but well presented. While not a book for children I would recommend it for the precocious mind.This book inspired me to break off and read more about the individuals that were covered:Maxwell, Dirac etc
February 16, 2023
So much science, explained!
I found the book enlightening about physics that I had some knowledge of, leading to a better understanding of physics, key physicists, and their theories from the big bang to the present. Fascinating.
I found the book enlightening about physics that I had some knowledge of, leading to a better understanding of physics, key physicists, and their theories from the big bang to the present. Fascinating.
January 11, 2024
“Die Wirklichkeit, von der wir sprechen können, ist nie die Wirklichkeit an sich.” - Werner Heisenberg
Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Es war informativ und “einfach” formuliert - sofern man eben die Quantenphysik einfach formulieren kann.
Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Es war informativ und “einfach” formuliert - sofern man eben die Quantenphysik einfach formulieren kann.
April 29, 2021
People who trash this book are brain dead losers, this is a great book for everyone to read. A quick refresher for advanced and a great intro for beginners!
December 3, 2023
Great summary
Really enjoy how this book puts things into reach for others to help them understand physics and how it is all around us!
Really enjoy how this book puts things into reach for others to help them understand physics and how it is all around us!
January 20, 2024
This is a coffee table book that’s a simple quick read. I picked it up because of Jim Al-Khalili. I’ve read several other books by him and loved them.
April 28, 2024
Physics can be divided into roughly two subdisciplines: Newtonian physics—dealing with the behavior of mostly observable everyday phenomena, and subatomic physics, dealing with the small stuff best handled by the specialists.
“The Physics Book” does a bang-up job of explaining both realms, their history, their interaction, the meaning they have for our lives, and the latest research in the fields. “Latest” is quite subjective in a field (the subatomic) where each day the experts seem to discover something new and seemingly contradicting yesterday’s wisdom. But the imprecision can hardly be blamed on the scientists, as—when you get down to it—they are investigating the very Urstoff of our universe.
An ancient Greek (I forget who) once asserted that the Earth rested on a turtle, which kept it from falling through space. Space has no up or down, or any kind of real orientation (see “Ender’s Game”) but this wise man couldn’t know that. When his student asked him what’s below the turtle, and the turtle below that, the teacher finally snapped and said, “It’s turtles all the way down!”
Those dealing with the subatomic realm are ultimately trying to find the very essence of whatever is beneath that turtle on the bottom. This is a very hard job, and requires understanding concepts like charm, spin, gluons, entanglement, fermions, and using math that could make your head spin (or charm, or entangle.)
There’s no hope of me understanding this stuff, but for the interaction of matter and things like speed and velocity and gravity, the descriptions here work fine. As with every other book in the “Big Ideas Simply Explained” series, there are sidebars with little biographical tidbits and explanations, along with charts, diagrams, and images galore. That’s always important, to have some visual referents for the material—even for the nonvisual, linguistically inclined, like yours truly.
Highest recommendation, for the layperson or the precocious young physicist. Those who have the subject down pat may still find it a handy reference book when a name or date or chronological stage in the history is needed, at hand. I imagine it would be especially convenient for teachers.
“The Physics Book” does a bang-up job of explaining both realms, their history, their interaction, the meaning they have for our lives, and the latest research in the fields. “Latest” is quite subjective in a field (the subatomic) where each day the experts seem to discover something new and seemingly contradicting yesterday’s wisdom. But the imprecision can hardly be blamed on the scientists, as—when you get down to it—they are investigating the very Urstoff of our universe.
An ancient Greek (I forget who) once asserted that the Earth rested on a turtle, which kept it from falling through space. Space has no up or down, or any kind of real orientation (see “Ender’s Game”) but this wise man couldn’t know that. When his student asked him what’s below the turtle, and the turtle below that, the teacher finally snapped and said, “It’s turtles all the way down!”
Those dealing with the subatomic realm are ultimately trying to find the very essence of whatever is beneath that turtle on the bottom. This is a very hard job, and requires understanding concepts like charm, spin, gluons, entanglement, fermions, and using math that could make your head spin (or charm, or entangle.)
There’s no hope of me understanding this stuff, but for the interaction of matter and things like speed and velocity and gravity, the descriptions here work fine. As with every other book in the “Big Ideas Simply Explained” series, there are sidebars with little biographical tidbits and explanations, along with charts, diagrams, and images galore. That’s always important, to have some visual referents for the material—even for the nonvisual, linguistically inclined, like yours truly.
Highest recommendation, for the layperson or the precocious young physicist. Those who have the subject down pat may still find it a handy reference book when a name or date or chronological stage in the history is needed, at hand. I imagine it would be especially convenient for teachers.
December 19, 2024
The Physics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained is a fantastic introduction to the world of physics, and it really helped me connect the dots between some of the most complex scientific concepts. As someone who’s always been curious about how the universe works, this book made even the most difficult ideas feel accessible.
One of the parts that stuck with me was the explanation of Einstein’s theory of relativity. I’ve heard about it countless times, but reading this book helped me finally understand how space and time are interconnected and how gravity works differently at a cosmic scale. The simple, straightforward language and clear diagrams made it easy to visualize these big ideas, like how light bends around massive objects in space, warping the very fabric of time.
What I loved most was how the book didn’t just focus on the theories, but also told the stories behind the scientists who made these discoveries. I remember being fascinated by how Newton’s laws of motion came to be, and how Einstein’s revolutionary ideas challenged the traditional views of space and time. It felt like each chapter was not just teaching me physics but also giving me a glimpse into the minds of the greatest scientific thinkers in history.
This book inspired me to dive deeper into physics and sparked an even greater appreciation for the way science has shaped our understanding of the universe. The Physics Book is a perfect read for anyone curious about how everything works, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. It made me realize that even the most complex ideas can be broken down and understood, and the world of physics is full of exciting discoveries waiting to be explored.
One of the parts that stuck with me was the explanation of Einstein’s theory of relativity. I’ve heard about it countless times, but reading this book helped me finally understand how space and time are interconnected and how gravity works differently at a cosmic scale. The simple, straightforward language and clear diagrams made it easy to visualize these big ideas, like how light bends around massive objects in space, warping the very fabric of time.
What I loved most was how the book didn’t just focus on the theories, but also told the stories behind the scientists who made these discoveries. I remember being fascinated by how Newton’s laws of motion came to be, and how Einstein’s revolutionary ideas challenged the traditional views of space and time. It felt like each chapter was not just teaching me physics but also giving me a glimpse into the minds of the greatest scientific thinkers in history.
This book inspired me to dive deeper into physics and sparked an even greater appreciation for the way science has shaped our understanding of the universe. The Physics Book is a perfect read for anyone curious about how everything works, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. It made me realize that even the most complex ideas can be broken down and understood, and the world of physics is full of exciting discoveries waiting to be explored.
October 31, 2024
Physics, the most fundamental science, contains a vast collection of laws, theories, and experiments, which shaped the world we live in today. A majority of these are explained in great detail, going from early Greek times to now modern physics. These concepts and ideas are understandable for anybody who is just getting into physics or wants to understand more on a deeper level. This book was really helpful and I was able to connect a lot of concepts to my current physics class and the chemistry class that I had last year. I was able to get a refresher on some older content I knew while still learning new ideas easily. With this book, I learned concepts such as measurement and motion, energy and matter, electricity and magnetism, sound and light, the quantum world, nuclear and particles physics, and relativity and the universe. Although this book provided a lot of useful information, it was hard to read cover to cover. It is formatted more like a simpler textbook and it was just easier to flip to random pages and learn from there. I liked how the book was split into specific sections, and how in those sections, the concepts were arranged in chronological order, so I was able to follow along with that well. Anyone who has an interest in the sciences, especially physics, would enjoy this book.
January 23, 2025
This is the book I would read at night while waiting for other books in the library. It took me some time to get through it, but not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I didn't read it all the time. I did enjoy it.
It breaks subjects down by chapter like energy and matter, the quantum world, nuclear and particle physics, sound and light, etc.
Each of those sections have a time line and then they go through each topic in order.
I like that each topic also has an "in context" box that shows what they know/thought before and afterwards. Helps to give you reminders of things you read and will read. They also have diagrams, great photos, and flow charts that help.
The pages have a good thickness and quality and the photos are printed very well.
Overall, a great book that I enjoyed. Will look into more from them. I also read The Astronomy Book which I really loved since I love astronomy. (You get some of that in this book at the end)
It breaks subjects down by chapter like energy and matter, the quantum world, nuclear and particle physics, sound and light, etc.
Each of those sections have a time line and then they go through each topic in order.
I like that each topic also has an "in context" box that shows what they know/thought before and afterwards. Helps to give you reminders of things you read and will read. They also have diagrams, great photos, and flow charts that help.
The pages have a good thickness and quality and the photos are printed very well.
Overall, a great book that I enjoyed. Will look into more from them. I also read The Astronomy Book which I really loved since I love astronomy. (You get some of that in this book at the end)
October 10, 2025
Schon während meines Studiums in den 1980er Jahren hatte ich oft das Gefühl, dass viele deutsche Lehrbücher – insbesondere in Physik – eher darauf abzielen, ihre Lesenden zu beeindrucken, als die Inhalte wirklich verständlich zu machen. Komplexität wurde häufig mit Tiefe verwechselt, didaktische Klarheit suchte man oft vergeblich. Deshalb griff ich gern auf Lehrbücher aus den USA, der Sowjetunion, der DDR oder aus England zurück, die Wissen systematisch und zugänglich vermittelten. In dieser Tradition steht "The Physics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained": Es gelingt der Autorschaft, zentrale physikalische Konzepte klar, strukturiert und visuell ansprechend darzustellen, ohne die intellektuelle Tiefe zu vernachlässigen. Wer sich einen präzisen, verständlichen und zugleich inspirierenden Überblick über die Physik verschaffen möchte, findet in diesem Buch ein hervorragendes Beispiel dafür, wie didaktische Klarheit und inhaltliche Substanz produktiv zusammengehen.
July 19, 2025
Wow, ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass ich mich so sehr für Quantenphsyik interessieren lasse. Der Konten des Buches ist so stark heruntergekürtzt, dass man sich nach jeder Seite erstmal für eine Weile hinsetzen und nachdenken kann was man da eigentlich gerade gelesen hat., was man darüber denkt und wie man das auf andere Konzepte anwenden kann, ohne dabei die Motivation zu verlieren.
Leider führt das aber manchmal dazu, dass die Ideen so grob dargestellt wurden, dass man kaum die Substanz der Idee selbst erfassen kann und das gefühl hat nichts bis auf einen neuen coolen Begriff gelernt zu haben.
Trotzdem hat mich das Buch sehr viel zum Nachdenken und zu ausgiebigen Konversationen mit ChatGPT angeregt und wird somit wahrscheinlich auch noch einige Nachfolger nach sich ziehen.
Leider führt das aber manchmal dazu, dass die Ideen so grob dargestellt wurden, dass man kaum die Substanz der Idee selbst erfassen kann und das gefühl hat nichts bis auf einen neuen coolen Begriff gelernt zu haben.
Trotzdem hat mich das Buch sehr viel zum Nachdenken und zu ausgiebigen Konversationen mit ChatGPT angeregt und wird somit wahrscheinlich auch noch einige Nachfolger nach sich ziehen.
October 10, 2025
Brilliant sortie through the history and theory of physics sensibly split in to a few key themes.
I had to have a break from this a few times due to the density of information it contained. However, worth the effort and reading it as the history and development of ideas, detailing each of those who made key breakthroughs, was a fascinating experience.
I doubt I will remember too much of the detail but brings a new respect for the field and those who work within it. Highly recommended.
It does make me wish they taught science in this way, as a history of the development of our thinking rather than just facts to learn.
I had to have a break from this a few times due to the density of information it contained. However, worth the effort and reading it as the history and development of ideas, detailing each of those who made key breakthroughs, was a fascinating experience.
I doubt I will remember too much of the detail but brings a new respect for the field and those who work within it. Highly recommended.
It does make me wish they taught science in this way, as a history of the development of our thinking rather than just facts to learn.
March 10, 2024
I read the ‘Rigors of Angels’ which reminded me of how little I know about physics. That is what made me pick up this dummy guide to the subject.
Mostly I found it helpful explaining the basic concepts with charts and breaking it down into language I can grasp without math.
I didn’t like the biographical sketches. I can look up the scientific pioneers on Wikipedia and they took up valuable space. I would prefer more engagement on how the concepts of physics interrelate and how to think about them.
Mostly I found it helpful explaining the basic concepts with charts and breaking it down into language I can grasp without math.
I didn’t like the biographical sketches. I can look up the scientific pioneers on Wikipedia and they took up valuable space. I would prefer more engagement on how the concepts of physics interrelate and how to think about them.
January 25, 2025
A reference book, not really something you read cover to cover. I learned a lot that I didn’t know. The section on hydraulics really blew me away. Compress water and you can move massive weight? It’s a reminder that Minecraft remains a great metaphor for life: We wake up in a world where everything can be crafted, and we slowly find the recipes. Why do the recipes exist at all? That’s the greatest mystery.
November 17, 2023
O livro cumpre com o prometido: explicar e compartilhar as principais "Big Ideas" da física; mas de forma superficial.
Esteticamente bonito, mas sinto que as informações foram comprimidas (com o objetivo de alcançar características de um material didático) e sufocavam umas às outras.
Valeu a experiência, foi agradável estudar.
Esteticamente bonito, mas sinto que as informações foram comprimidas (com o objetivo de alcançar características de um material didático) e sufocavam umas às outras.
Valeu a experiência, foi agradável estudar.
May 11, 2024
Wonderful read for schoolchildren. And for adults it presents a great lineage throughout the history of physics in a condensed enough manner to not feel tedious, be accessible to a variety of individuals, and provide ample descriptions of the physics discoveries wherein without feeling like a dry lecture, as that is not the aim of this book.
June 5, 2024
A good general physics book about ideas
It reads like a history book to me, of fascinating ideas pursued by fascinating people about the world. It inspires me to read rigorous physics books covering my favorite topics, now I know better what my favorites are after reading this book.
It reads like a history book to me, of fascinating ideas pursued by fascinating people about the world. It inspires me to read rigorous physics books covering my favorite topics, now I know better what my favorites are after reading this book.
August 17, 2020
This book history of physics with the concepts explained from the ancient world to the LIGO observatory. It is a great reference book for your library. However, since I borrowed it from the library, I will simply have to remember everything I could understand.
March 18, 2021
Quite good historical account of the development of physics. Even physics major could learn a lot from it, although at times, it seems repetitive, but when read together with more detailed books on specific history, you can see that this one got the major discovery events right.
February 11, 2024
4.5
i really like it
one thing i could comment on is that it does not cover all of the super well known physics topics, but obviously this book is not meant to replace school books, so overall i am very pleased😁
i really like it
one thing i could comment on is that it does not cover all of the super well known physics topics, but obviously this book is not meant to replace school books, so overall i am very pleased😁
September 16, 2020
Very informative book. Good. I liked this.
January 24, 2021
Libro de fisia. Explica varios temas antiguos y modernos de manera breve. Triple point del agua. Mucho texto, biografia, pocas imagenes y formulas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews