Quantum Electrodynamics

by Walter Smilga

"Quantum electrodynamics, generally referred to as QED, is a quantum field theory of the electromagnetic force. The quantum field theory approach envisages the force between the electrons as an exchange force arising from the exchange of virtual photons. QED applies to all electromagnetic phenomena associated with charged fundamental particles such as electrons and positrons, and the associated phenomena such as pair production, electron-positron annihilation, Compton scattering, etc. This book describes the quantum properties and mechanics associated with the interaction of light with matter."

Genres: Physics, Science, Nonfiction, Mathematics, Textbooks

Hardcover

First published December 12, 1962

Reviews

[Skymeson Rolnick]

Always good to look at books by Feynman. He's one of the pioneers of QED and has a lot of insight.

[renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal (read the first three chapters in the span of two days and the last one a month later)

[Elijah Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable inspection of how everything we think we know about the world and physics is really just interactions of electrons.

[Jithin Mukundan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have observed after reading books written by great scientists like Einstein and Feynman that they are extremely eager to make common people understand their theories. They explain complex theories like relativity and quantum physics using very novel techniques and thought experiments that I guess are intended for an audience with non-technical background and an average IQ. Coming to this book, which is a series of four lectures by Feynman on Quantum Electrodynamics, I do not know if anyone could explain it any more simpler. Of course you will not know everything that is happening at quantum level from this series, mostly because Feynman himself doesn't know as he admits from the beginning. Feynman explains only those things that match with the results of scientific experiments. Beyond that I guess he has left it to philosophy/ God. And fortunately QED is something that is extensively tested and results are found in conformity with the theory. But believe me, it is not at all a boring read. You'll find that light can travel faster or slower, it can go in a zigzag manner instead of a straight line, particles can go backward in time, they can simultaneously be at two different locations and so on. Weird theories defying classical mechanics but experimentally proved with utmost accuracy. Also, many of the the classical physics theories that seem very obvious to us in daily world are in fact extremely complex at the fundamental quantum level but somehow consistently balance to make it look simple at a macroscopic level. My only regret as always is that if I were aware of these books at school or college level, my career path would have been different.

[Esra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feynman is great

[Utkarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and easy to understand, Highly intuitive and easy!

[Nico Crudele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The analogies involving clocks seem like a good simplification for a non-physicist, but they still confused me. Overall still a good book!

[Karlo Oropesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh God, QED.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feynman at it again. An enjoyable exposure to the field of QED.

[Gerald De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feynman is so good.

[Daniel Barbosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you really think what the hell is up with nature's building blocks. Is light conscious?