Quantum Mechanics

Ladybird Expert #2

by Jim Al-Khalili

Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Quantum Mechanics is a clear, simple and entertaining introduction to the weird, mind-bending world of the very, very small.

Written by physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, it explores all the key players, breakthroughs, controversies and unanswered questions of the quantum world.

You'll discover how the sun shines, why light is both a wave and a particle, the certainty of the Uncertainty Principle, Schrodinger's Cat, Einstein's spooky action, how to build a quantum computer, and why quantum mechanics drives even its experts completely crazy.

'Jim Al-Khalili has done an admirable job of condensing the ideas of quantum physics from Max Planck to the possibilities of quantum computers into brisk, straightforward English' The Times

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Quantum Mechanics

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Dr. 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.

Reviews

[Mahdi Mohamadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

مروری خیلی کوتاه و ساده بر تاریخ ایده‌ها و آزمایش‌های مکانیک کوانتوم. احتمالاً برای نوجوانان. حجم مطلب هر بخش متناسب با اهمیت موضوع نیست که باعث اطناب در بخشی و گنگ ماندن مطلب در بخش دیگر شده.

[Smn Hgh · Rating 2 out of 5]

خیلی خلاصه و تیتروار روندو توضیح میده، جز یه سری سرنخ برای سرچ کردن چیز دیگه ای نداشت برام
البته ترجمه هم خوب نبود

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem with books about quantum mechanics is that I'm never sure if I have read them or not until I open them...
I really enjoyed this, not a great surprise as I've read Prof Al-Khalili's grown ups books and they're very good. The illustrations are nostalgic and have a good bit of humour in them. Well worth a look!

[astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

quantum mechanics blows my MIND... very nice and short introduction to the subject that traces through the key individuals, concepts, and discoveries in a comparatively decipherable way, all accompanied by some very pretty illustrations. would recommend!

[Noel Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

book #38 of 2021: Quantum Mechanics (pub. 2017) by Jim Al-Khalili (Iraqi-British theoretical nuclear physicist). this extremely clear overview of the history of the field of quantum mechanics and the achievements in that field by various scientists breaks the discoveries down very digestibly, shows you why they matter, and gives you a picture of left to figure out. the format of the book looks like an old school children’s primer, but I was relieved to read in the front matter that it’s intended for an adult audience. really informative and accessible: recommend.

[Razan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, light introduction with plenty of illustrations and historical context.

[Muhammad Ayyaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a brief historical percepective of Quantum physics

[The Architect · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is really too short to properly explain quantum phenomena in details and I am not sure about the target audience - if you don't know about things like double slit experiment, photoelectric effect or wave function, I doubt you get from few sentences what in fact is so revolutionary about them. If you know, there isn't very much value as you already know it in more details. Although I enjoyed it as very brief review of history and topics of quantum mechanics (there were some historical facts I didn't know), I would rather recommend a "thicker" proper book to enjoys paradoxes and mysteries of quantum mechanics. You really can't truly enjoy and understand QM from 25 written small format pages.

[Jason Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This book is part of the Lady Bird Expert series. It very briefly discusses the discoveries and progression of our understanding of quantum mechanics. It then tells how this knowledge is used in our everyday life and what developments could happen in the future.

The explanations are very brief, meant only to peak interest and give very surface level understanding. Honestly, I would describe it as an introduction to an introduction. but it's a great way to know the players, and at the very least, the name of the important discoveries with a blurb explanation. "

[Ṛta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little book. Do not expect any deep dive into concepts or philosophical questions.
This book serves primarily as a terse exposition regarding the main names and ideas. That's it. The author does a good job at that.

[Vickiii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this! Information was presented clearly, with one page per topic. The visuals were really fun, and all of the content was concise and enjoyable. Would definitely recommend to anybody interested in the fundamentals of quantum mechanics - makes a great starting point!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find stars complicated. This is a Ladybird Expert Book not an academic treatise. For what it does it's terrific. Absolutely brilliant - cover's the subject and history in less than 50 pages, half of them pictures.

[Judi Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little introduction to Quantum Mechanics which really makes it understandable. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Arifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning introduction into the history of quantum theory.

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little big pearl

[Min Thu Kyaw Khaung · Rating 3 out of 5]

One can read it fast and easily. Each chapter is decorated with pictures (and I like them) Not much details about the subject.
This might be just an introductory version.

[Lubnaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and very well written!

[Mohammad Islam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. It was barely 25 small pages. It doesn't explain anything in detail. It acted more like a "jogging the memory" if you already have some idea about the topic.

[Yucel Inanogullari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very preliminary introductory booklet. If you have some idea about quantum mechanics, don't bother to read this.

[Alistair Leadbetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brain hurts.

[Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little Ladybird Expert Book. Covered everything in a way that is very easy to read and digest. 💖

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although described as a Ladybird book for adults, and published by Ladybird (part of the Penguin Random House group), and labelled 'A Ladybird Expert Book', It is so brief that I'm not sure quite what it comes under. The content is far from easy for the layman, but it also very superficial. I suppose it might be the sort of thing to give one a vocabulary before moving on to another, slightly more detailed introduction, such as Oxford's Very Short Introduction series. But they are about 130 pages, this is about 26 pages of text. Having said that, Jim Al-Khalili is a good guide, who writes as clearly as the subject allows.

[Solveig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tongue-in-cheek update on the classic Ladybird series, with the samecstyle of illustrations. The science is real, but given the 56 page format, no real depth or details are given. "Quantum. A Guide for the Perplexed" is much better, but this fills a different niche and I could see it as a starter book for children.

[Seyed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little overview of the history and ideas of QM, aimed mostly at teens or adults who may have not been exposed to the ideas before.

[Arnav Kapoor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perfect for a kid

[Gothwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read giving a whistle-stop tour of quantum mechanics. The book covers everything from the birth of QM through to quantum computers and quantum biology. Clearly written and communicated. You'll obviously then need to read other books to get a more detail, but a good quick read nonetheless.