Simply Quantum Physics

Simply

by D.K. Publishing

A clear, simple, graphic-led introduction to quantum physics.

Are you short of time but hungry for knowledge? This beginner’s quantum physics book proves that sometimes less is more. Bold graphics and easy-to-understand explanations make it the most accessible guide to quantum physics on the market.

This smart but powerful guide cuts through the jargon and gives you the facts in a clear, visual way. Step inside the strange and fascinating world of subatomic physics that at times seems to conflict with common sense. Unlock the mysteries of more than 100 key ideas, from quantum mechanics basics to the uncertainty principle and quantum tunneling.

Each pared-back, single-page entry demystifies the groundbreaking ideas in modern science. From Schrödinger’s Cat and quantum teleportation to atoms and gravity, Simply Quantum Physics is the ultimate jargon-free overview of the subject. 

Understanding Quantum Physics Has Never Been Easier

This illuminating reference book introduces you to the greatest physicists of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger, Richard Feynman, and more! It’s the perfect gift for anyone interested in physics or science in general and life-long learners. 

Whether you’re a physics student or just an interested layman, this indispensable guide is packed with everything you need to quickly and easily understand the basics.

Complete the

Part of DK Book's exciting, brand-new reference series for those who are time-poor but keen to learn more. Discover the mysteries of more key philosophical ideas in Simply Philosophy.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Reference, Science Nature, Ebooks

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most reference Quantum Physics books are written in a style and with content that is accessible to all, without much math, which is great. Everyone needs a little more science in their lives and no one is left out of this audience.

Many times though, the general nature of these books lack the math that could give firmness to the textual vision of the science. Simply Quantum bridges the gap in the most unexpected and delightful ways

DK publishes illustrated books for children and adults and this approach is wonderful to help describe the weird world of quantum physics.

Like a board book for two-year-olds, the illustrations are terrific and help curious minds imagine what the quantum world looks like. The explanations of the illustrations are so good, it gave me another level of understanding not provided in the numerous other quantum physics books I have read.

For anyone in junior or high schools or ANY adult wanting to learn more about this ‘weird’ science during this highly quantum century, you will be delighted that you picked it up. -Tom L.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mathematics was always and iffy course for me and the math in physics had me hanging on by my fingernails. So, while I have be fascinated with quantum concepts, I reached a point where my competence was a barrier to further understanding.

One of the great virtues of this book is that math isn’t front-and-center. Added to that, it lays out the various aspects of quantum theory in a clear and logical manner accompanied by the graphics that DK has become known for.

Each section has its components divided into “bite-sized” pieces. The big sections are:
The Quantum World
Pre-Quantum Puzzles
The Wave Function
Interpretations of Quantum Physics
Quantum Phenomena
Quantum Technology
Quantum Information
Nuclear Physics
Particle Physics
Quantum Gravity
Quantum Biology

For illustration, Quantum Information is divided into
Not Just Zeros and Ones
Superfast
Quantum Codes
Simulators

This book has allowed me to expand my knowledge without causing “system overload.” For that, I am certainly grateful.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long been a fan of DK’s non-fiction books, which are mostly aimed at young readers but are also a great resource for adults as starter points or refreshers. That holds true for one of their newest offerings with the somewhat oxymoronic title Simply Quantum Physics.

The book is separated into several sections:
• “The Quantum World”: basic information on particles and forces
• “Pre-Quantum Puzzles”: early physics problems solved by quantum physics
• “The Wave Function”: unsurprisingly, an explanation of wave functions
• “Interpretations of Quantum Physics”: various theories behind the weird results of quantum experiments
• “Quantum Phenomena”: basic behaviors in the quantum world such as tunneling, exclusion, etc.
• “Quantum Technology”: application of quantum theory/behavior
• “Quantum Information”: quantum computing
• “Nuclear Physics”: how fission and fusion work
• “Particle Physics”: a deeper dive into the particles theorized in the Standard Model and Field Theory
• Quantum Gravity: attempts to end the conflicts between quantum theory and relativity (gravity)
• Quantum Biology: a relative new field exploring quantum physics in the realm of the living

This is one of the most difficult topics to simplify, but DK does as good a job as possible I’d say. This is not, though, for kids, as the terminology assumes some basic scientific knowledge and vocabulary. Basic, but still some. The text is always lucid and concise. DK always makes excellent use of visuals, and this book is another example of their strength in this area. Especially in this realm, visuals go a long way toward making things much more comprehensible, and nearly ever section is greatly enhanced by the visuals employed. The text is also nicely up to date, including discussion of the Higgs Boson and gravitons (though not the recent discovery of gravity waves). If I had to offer a minor suggestion for how it could have been improved, it might have been more liberal use of metaphors, which often help make the near-incomprehensible more understandable. Otherwise, this is yet another excellent entry in DK’s long list of stellar non-fiction works (I plan on sending it to my college son not so much for learning physics – he is taking a class after all—but so he can have an easy to grab, easy to visualize refresher of his more complex coursework.

[Mitchell Wesson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is alright but not that good. Unfortunately (without doing much research) I can't say I know of any better alternatives. It's simplistic at the cost of proper explanations. Without any prior knowledge of physics it probably wouldn't help you understand much. It made some sense to me due to prior knowledge but the new concepts it didn't help me much.
Definitely a pretty book but what's the point if it doesn't accurate explain difficult concepts.

[Ares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it, I didn’t use it for anything particular and it was more out of interest. A friend said he struggled to understand some of it but with a short explanation it was okay. I’m not sure if it requires prior understanding of the topic because I do have that and found it to be really basic and well done.

[kaitziez · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Quantum gravity models predict that space-time is made up of tiny regions where dimensions froth in and out of existence, like bubbles in foam" (p.141). #shocked

[annamaria ༊*·˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

bellissimo. stupendo. meraviglioso.

[Emma Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review here: http://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/202...



Opinions: "Clear, simple, and graphic-led" are the best words to describe Simply Quantum Physics. Expanding on this, the narrative is clear, the writing style is simple, and every single page is dotted with graphs and diagrams to demonstrate the science being discussed. Without a doubt, this book is perfect for all readers! Whether you're a high schooler with a passion for physics or an adult who needs to catch up on the basics, the easy-to-read style and footnotes have got you covered. Complimenting this, the author maintained a healthy balance between nitty-gritty science and vibrant images, meaning all readers will remain engaged and not be discouraged by a too-difficult or too-childish display. That said, despite the colorful writing style, there is a minimum age required to read this book due to the level of background knowledge needed to understand any of what is taught in Simply Quantum Physics. If you haven't studied atoms, magnetism, light and sound waves, ionic bonding, and the basics of nuclear physics in your own time, you'll need to wait until high school for this book to resonate with its full potential. But who knows? Maybe Simply Quantum Physics will spark the same joy for science in you as it did in me. I fully recommend this book and I sincerely hope you give it a go.

My Favourite Thing: I adored the content of Simply Quantum Physics! It provided insight into dozens of intriguing topics I'd barely touched on in school and even introduced some new subjects that deepened my appreciation for science. Furthering this, Simply Quantum Physics didn't only talk about physics! It linked chemistry, earth sciences, and biology together to create a single realm of intelligible knowledge and a believable relationship between random mutations in the structure of DNA, The Standard Model of elementary particles, and quantum teleportation. I can't be the only one who didn't think there was a relationship between these things, right? I proudly stand corrected!

My Least Favourite Thing: My only "complaint" is that Simply Quantum Physics is so short! I could've used a hundred more pages of information in this style. However, I'm thrilled to have read what is actually available.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Simply Quantum Physics is a concise survey course in quantum mechanics and allied concepts in physics collected and curated by the DK editorial group. Due out 23rd Feb 2021 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The book is arranged in categories with numerous short capsule entries covering diverse related points. The editors have grouped the material around broad categories: the quantum world (motion, particles, force), the genesis of quantum physics as an attempt to explain and codify different phenomena (ideal bodies, energy quantization, energy states, electron orbitals), wave function, quantum phenomena, technology applications, and many more.

The text is clearly written in fairly accessible language which can be understood by the average reader. Despite being very short (most are 1 page long), they provide some surprisingly subtle insights into physics concepts and schools of thought (with a little history). The short subject pages are enhanced with graphics and illustrations to help the information be more easily retained by the reader.

This volume won't obviate the need for a textbook for studying physics, obviously, but it will provide a good intro to some concepts in language which can be understood by most readers. This would be a good choice for students looking for a supplementary text, adult readers who want a condensed and concise broad survey of concepts and terminology used, and readers who are curious about physics for whom a short introduction is sufficient. The book does include a short cross referenced index, but no bibliography or links for further reading.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[WiseB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely those who read this book are either familiar with, passion about, or interested to know about quantum physics. I belong to the second type, which I find this book brought a different perspective to the subject by covering the elementary knowledge, then moved on to reveal the fundamental attributes of subatomic particles ... wave function, superposition, uncertainty principle, Schrodinger's equation etc. It then introduced ten "Interpretations", which basically means the different ways these attributes and behaviours may be explained in theory.

From this point on, the book covers quantum related topics ... including quantum phenomena; quantum technology; quantum information; nuclear physics; particle physics; quantum gravity and quantum biology. Real world applications are quoted in some of these topics.

My take upon reading this book is it gives us visual illustrations with notations on every page ... from the basics like the particle zoo to the non trivial like the Schrodinger's equation. This style is the opposite of traditional quantum books that mainly communicate using text. As the title of the book is "Simply ...", one should not expect learning the details of quantum mechanics here, but instead use this as a pointer to any of the quantum related topics that interest you ... and move on to further explore such with other sources.

[Kyle Kotanchek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was meandering through my local bookstore when this little purple book caught my eye with its fun visualizations and appealing title of “Simply Quantum Physics.” I – the fish – was baited and hooked, and walked out the store excited to go through my new purchase.

Despite currently studying quantum physics in my undergraduate materials engineering courses and already being familiar with some of the concepts, I could not understand this book. The pretty pictures were still at their core just pretty pictures. This book felt more like reading a collection of buzz words surrounding quantum physics alongside their definitions and then the editors being like “yeah that’s good enough.” Honestly, I feel like I’m partly to blame because I set my expectations too high when I read the word “simply” paired next to “quantum physics.”

*Sigh*

Hopefully one day Elon Musk can perfect his brain chip vaccine so he can just upload the information to my brain, finally merging my two greatest desires: being a know-it-all-nerd and being lazy at learning.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Simply Quantum Physics" provides an overview of various quantum physics ideas using graphics and a brief text aimed at beginners. The book started out by describing the makeup of an atom and described some of the various particles that make up everything else. This was similar to the material I'd studied in college, so I was able to follow it. However, while they did a good job of trying to describe the ideas of quantum physics, it seemed like the further I read into the book, the less the people studying the phenomenon even understood what they were trying to describe. The book was a quick read and informative, but it's really only a basic overview. I would have enjoyed a little more detail about how quantum physics is used in current devices. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a basic understanding of quantum physics.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Sara Palacios · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why does something as massive as the sun behave one way at a massive scale yet behaves another way at the particle scale?

If we could make clothes out of space, what kind of fashion would there be?

Does CO2 emit radiation?

Are there any black physicists out there?

How do the atoms of a bosonic gas move?

“Atoms are built from elementary matter particles, such as quarks”. Imagine if ducks had made the names that are made for parts of an atoms. A quark would be called a quack.

These ideas and more are what I thought when I read this book.

The book isn’t as good as I thought it was because it didn’t explain some concepts in a way that I understood but at least it explains some other concepts better than I thought. For that, it gets 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Fun fact: I read this book so I capsule engage in more physics discussions with my dad, he’s a massive nerd, and because Claudia Sheinbaum, the current Mexican president studied physics as a bachelors degree.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to go wrong with a DK book. They're always informative and wonderfully illustrated. In "Simply Quantum Physics," DK give us bite-sized (quark-sized?) bits about a complex subject. Most of the easily-grasped concepts take only a page, and build on each other, in a very readable format.

The only quibble I have, and it's a minor one, is the ordering of some of the snippets. For example, they state a couple of times that you can't know momentum and direction both with accuracy, but don't discuss the Uncertainty Principle until several pages later.

This book serves as a great refresher for anyone who has taken some advanced science courses, or for someone who wants a taste of what's out there after getting some basic science classes under their belt. It's also a nice reference for someone who runs into a concept while reading, say, a SF novel, and wants just a brief blurb about it.

Recommended.

I received a free advance copy from DK and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Neil Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its title, Simply Quantum Physics is not particularly simple for beginners. While it's part of the "Simply" series, this book is best suited for intermediate readers—those who already have a foundation in quantum theory and a moderate background in science.

Although it covers core concepts, the way they're presented may leave newcomers feeling lost. It assumes the reader already understands the fundamentals, so it doesn’t break things down from scratch. That said, reading it can help consolidate and clarify your understanding—especially if you’ve already explored the topic through other sources.

If you're just starting out, I’d recommend beginning with introductory YouTube channels that visually explain the basics. Once you're more comfortable, this book might serve as a light touchpoint to reinforce your grasp of the subject.

[Anthoney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books on quantum physics over 3 decades n i cannot yet even now fathom it or comprehend the basics.

This book was another futile attempt, but i can be guiltless about my IQ n blame the book this time

The book is just a new definition of QP terms on every page and knowing how improbably one can decribe science as technical n complex as QP in a 1 or 2 sentences should make you realize how useless this book is then. Of course as many reviewers here have said and to repeat the word .. its a "pretty" picture book but thats it. Like some photographs we shoot of picturesque landscape they don't do justice to the bewitching n bewildering world that QP is

[Phan Thanh Trung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Một quyển sách mô tả ngắn gọn về những " thuộc tính " đặc trưng của cơ học lượng tử, bên cạnh đó còn những vấn đề liên quan rất nhiều như vật lý hạt nhân, vật lý hạt cơ bản, lý thuyết hấp dẫn lượng tử.
Ngoài ra tác giả còn đề cập đến những ứng dụng cơ bản của vật lý lượng tử như trong công nghệ lượng tử, sinh học lượng tử đặc biệt là thời đại của máy tính lượng tử.
Sách được xuất bản năm 2021 nên nội dung vẫn còn khá mới, chắc phải tìm người dịch cho đọc giả Việt Nam đọc, đặc biệt là các bạn trẻ có niềm đam mê với vật lý nói chung.

[Rosni Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

not what I thought it would be.

I just didn’t get it, seems like a lot of bits with no real information, of something I could learn,
I’m pleased it wasn’t an expensive book.

I suppose the only thing I got was, to figure how it works, (quantum) was, that our human brains are simply not developed enough to understand,
Like a computer that’s damp, so it’s effecting the data and producing faulty information.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in the DK Publishers' "Simply" series. This particular title came out before my first exposure to the series; I think they have the same problems to deal with years later. There should be more editorial overlook so that there are less errors scientifically and grammatically. Regardless, great book; I learned a LOT about quantua phenomena in the last fifty pages of this title! I'd never even heard of quantum biology!

[John Majerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent overview of an incredibly complex collection of related theories using simple explanations and easy to follow illustrations (and no math!) After reading it I am more confident taking on more complex treatments of these theories. At a minimum, I have a better chance of following my favoritr Star Trek episodes. 🙃

[Surajit Dutta · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I first open the book “Simply Quantum Physics”, I was surprised by looking at the content of the book , there was nothing about physics, it was all about History. The book was purchase through Amazon India, never going to buy any book by either from goodreads or by Amazon India. Thanks for such surprises.

[James Easterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the book I was looking for. Having been well into the weeds before, this book covered every basic aspect of Quantum Physics without getting too far into the weeds. Kind of like a good table of contents with the basic concepts behind it. A good book to organize what’s what.

[Chris Houghton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too simple and too disorganized

While there is plenty of useful information here and a number of nicely simplified explanations, in general the book was too elementary and a number of concepts were confusingly explained. I've seen better from DK.

[Steven Chew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it. Didn't understand the subject right away. But the book served as a great map into the modern physics.

[Sohail Roomi]

good book to read

[Rodrigo Camargo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's like going to meet a huge amusement park and stay inside a fast train, but the graphics are great!

[OjoAusana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really good read, print copy would be easier to read tho

[Brendan]

Really great, but, a lot of these things need context that's lacking

[Luciano Elementi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary of the current event, a nice review for the layman.
Some of the subjects are tricky to explain, the author puts the effort to give the (now) correct answer that is appreciated

[Ryella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from comprehensive but a good read nonetheless.