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Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos
“Amazing… If you’ve been searching for a basic text on how the atom works, this is it.” — Booklist
“A masterpiece.”— Omni
The legendary Isaac Asimov starts what is perhaps the most fascinating of all his books with a simple how finely can a piece of matter be divided? But like many simple questions, this one leads us on a far-flung quest for a final answer, a search that becomes a series of beautifully structured building blocks of knowledge.
It begins with the earliest speculations and investigations by the Greeks and Romans, and then, step by step and century by century, it traces the path of discovery that revealed more and more of the nature of the atom, of light, of gravity, of the electromagnetic force—and even the nature and structure of the universe.
Atom also encompasses such phenomena as light and electricity; the protons, neutrons and quarks that are the fundamental units of the universe; hard-to-observe “anti-particles”; and other strange bits of matter that challenge our assumptions about the very nature of space and time.
Atom is the only book of its kind, by the renowned author whose genius for bringing clarity and excitement to complex subjects has made him the most celebrated science author of our time.
“A masterpiece.”— Omni
The legendary Isaac Asimov starts what is perhaps the most fascinating of all his books with a simple how finely can a piece of matter be divided? But like many simple questions, this one leads us on a far-flung quest for a final answer, a search that becomes a series of beautifully structured building blocks of knowledge.
It begins with the earliest speculations and investigations by the Greeks and Romans, and then, step by step and century by century, it traces the path of discovery that revealed more and more of the nature of the atom, of light, of gravity, of the electromagnetic force—and even the nature and structure of the universe.
Atom also encompasses such phenomena as light and electricity; the protons, neutrons and quarks that are the fundamental units of the universe; hard-to-observe “anti-particles”; and other strange bits of matter that challenge our assumptions about the very nature of space and time.
Atom is the only book of its kind, by the renowned author whose genius for bringing clarity and excitement to complex subjects has made him the most celebrated science author of our time.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
33 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,337 books27.7k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 11, 2010
I held my own through alpha beta and gamma rays, protons neutrons electrons and neutrinos (and their anti's) but have to admit, by the time we got to quarks my ability to keep up had evaporated.
Having said that, Asimov's book is an interesting history of the thinking and research into subatomic particles, and particularly good on explaining how scientists kept pushing further and further into the atom.
The best moment for me though was on page 11, with this explanation of scientific theory:
As it happens, the word theory is not properly understood by the general public, which tends to think of a theory as a "guess. Even dictionaries do not properly describe what the word means to scientists.
Properly speaking, a theory is a set of basic rules, supported by a great many confirmed observations by many scientists, that explains and makes sensible a large number of facts that, without the theory, would seem to be unconnected. It is as though the facts and observations are a number of dots representing cities, and lines representing country and state boundaries, distributed higgledy-piggledly on paper, making no sense. A theory is a map that puts each dot and line into the right place and makes a connected and sensible picture out of it all.
Having said that, Asimov's book is an interesting history of the thinking and research into subatomic particles, and particularly good on explaining how scientists kept pushing further and further into the atom.
The best moment for me though was on page 11, with this explanation of scientific theory:
As it happens, the word theory is not properly understood by the general public, which tends to think of a theory as a "guess. Even dictionaries do not properly describe what the word means to scientists.
Properly speaking, a theory is a set of basic rules, supported by a great many confirmed observations by many scientists, that explains and makes sensible a large number of facts that, without the theory, would seem to be unconnected. It is as though the facts and observations are a number of dots representing cities, and lines representing country and state boundaries, distributed higgledy-piggledly on paper, making no sense. A theory is a map that puts each dot and line into the right place and makes a connected and sensible picture out of it all.
April 13, 2019
What is known about atoms, and how it was learned, as relates to chemistry, electricity, thermodynamics, nuclear energy, and subatomic physics. Asimov is razor-sharp. 1991.
Answers goodreads.com/trivia/work/2951114-ato...
Answers goodreads.com/trivia/work/2951114-ato...
April 13, 2025
The book's table of contents is nicely organized. This made the topic - the atom, sub-atom; quantum world - a more tempting one to tackle. Digging into this, Asimov outlines the fundamental particles (those that cannot be broken up into anything smaller) into a table of particles: There are the matter particles of electrons and quarks (I've seen a variable number for these but 12 is in the ballpark, not counting anti-particles) that make up the atom, and there are the four force carriers that tie energy and matter together on micro scale and macro (gravity) scales, along with the Higgs boson (which seems to be categorized separately) that gives matter its mass. These are the foundation for all that is seen and understood to be material reality. It is for the lay person a subject that lies on the astounding end of the spectrum. Most of us, I suppose, understand the Newtonian world of classic physics, at least in some vague sense. The stuff that Asimov talks about is that whole new world of atomic and nuclear physics that largely opened up, mainly, just in the last century.
The names for these specific particles - those words that end in "...on" - are, on the other hand, not easy to understand. "What is what, and why are they categorized that way" is not super clear.* At least, that's my reaction to the way Asimov presented these concepts. I found it maddening to sort through how he used this terminology and how the various terms for this and that related to each other. Just as I thought I understood, I got some Asimov description or comment that didn't match up with what I thought he had said before. Even Asimov here and there took issue with the naming conventions, as applied to some of the things he wrote about.
The four forces that tie everything together via pushing (movement away) and pulling (a movement toward), flowing one way or another as a result of some energy differential. Gravity, operating at the macro scale, seems to be an exception as it is talked about as an attractive force, that pull two bodies together. Yet if two bodies are put on a teeter totter, a point of equilibrium is reached where the relative power differential is negated. The relationship is One, or Zero, between the two. Occasionally, relative bodies of mass are said to resist the pull of larger masses. Is "resist" the same as "inertia?" And isn't the flip side of "attraction" a "resistance to attraction?"
At the end, Asimov discusses some of his ideas that would connect the quantum world with the macro world of cosmology. He focuses on the Big Bang (or, rather, Time Zero that preceded the big explosion) and suggests that all matter and energy condensed into a singularity (the unstable "cosmic egg" of Lemaitre [1894-1966]).** The sorting through of what happens immediately, post Big Bang (BB), is, the way Asimov describes it, a bit of a nightmare to follow. First there's a "sea of quarks" followed a millionth of a second later by quarks (forming baryons and mesons) and leptons and the interacting forces (gravity, electro-magnetic-weak and strong forces). One second post BB free neutrinos make their appearance. At the three second mark, atomic nuclei form, and then at the 100 thousand year mark, electrons and atomic nuclei form. From there on out, atoms and collections of atoms form, followed by stars and galaxies. Asimov presents this more or less as a stream of consciousness and doesn't tie down a few loose ends as a result. For example, if an electron is a lepton what happened from a millionth of a second when leptons popped into existence and when electrons combined with the nucleus at the 100 thousand year mark? There's a similar question with the four forces forming also at one millionth of a second, yet apparently the electro-magnetic and strong forces did not kick into applied existence until the 100 thousand year mark. Given that Time Zero was condensed beyond imagination, could it be that this is where quantum gravity kicks in - matter-energy quanta pulled together into a singularity of some sort? Of course, if even at that point there is "movement" among the minutest of whatever is there or not there at the point, and inevitable instability because gravity pulls together push and pull forces beyond what can be tolerated? Who knows or, rather, can it ever be known?
*Baryons, leptons, pions, hadrons, mesons, bosons, fermions, muons and a few others that I can't remember.
**As one moves backward toward the time of the Big Bang, Asimov writes that "the temperature grows higher and higher and the energy density is more and more enormous. Scientists feel that they cannot talk of times less than 10 -45 second (one billion of a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang. Less time than that brings about conditions so extreme that space and time have no meaning." This statement is impossible for me to wrap my mind around, and I have no idea what he means by saying that space-time before 10 -45 has "no meaning." Even so, I like this statement. It promotes humility.
The names for these specific particles - those words that end in "...on" - are, on the other hand, not easy to understand. "What is what, and why are they categorized that way" is not super clear.* At least, that's my reaction to the way Asimov presented these concepts. I found it maddening to sort through how he used this terminology and how the various terms for this and that related to each other. Just as I thought I understood, I got some Asimov description or comment that didn't match up with what I thought he had said before. Even Asimov here and there took issue with the naming conventions, as applied to some of the things he wrote about.
The four forces that tie everything together via pushing (movement away) and pulling (a movement toward), flowing one way or another as a result of some energy differential. Gravity, operating at the macro scale, seems to be an exception as it is talked about as an attractive force, that pull two bodies together. Yet if two bodies are put on a teeter totter, a point of equilibrium is reached where the relative power differential is negated. The relationship is One, or Zero, between the two. Occasionally, relative bodies of mass are said to resist the pull of larger masses. Is "resist" the same as "inertia?" And isn't the flip side of "attraction" a "resistance to attraction?"
At the end, Asimov discusses some of his ideas that would connect the quantum world with the macro world of cosmology. He focuses on the Big Bang (or, rather, Time Zero that preceded the big explosion) and suggests that all matter and energy condensed into a singularity (the unstable "cosmic egg" of Lemaitre [1894-1966]).** The sorting through of what happens immediately, post Big Bang (BB), is, the way Asimov describes it, a bit of a nightmare to follow. First there's a "sea of quarks" followed a millionth of a second later by quarks (forming baryons and mesons) and leptons and the interacting forces (gravity, electro-magnetic-weak and strong forces). One second post BB free neutrinos make their appearance. At the three second mark, atomic nuclei form, and then at the 100 thousand year mark, electrons and atomic nuclei form. From there on out, atoms and collections of atoms form, followed by stars and galaxies. Asimov presents this more or less as a stream of consciousness and doesn't tie down a few loose ends as a result. For example, if an electron is a lepton what happened from a millionth of a second when leptons popped into existence and when electrons combined with the nucleus at the 100 thousand year mark? There's a similar question with the four forces forming also at one millionth of a second, yet apparently the electro-magnetic and strong forces did not kick into applied existence until the 100 thousand year mark. Given that Time Zero was condensed beyond imagination, could it be that this is where quantum gravity kicks in - matter-energy quanta pulled together into a singularity of some sort? Of course, if even at that point there is "movement" among the minutest of whatever is there or not there at the point, and inevitable instability because gravity pulls together push and pull forces beyond what can be tolerated? Who knows or, rather, can it ever be known?
*Baryons, leptons, pions, hadrons, mesons, bosons, fermions, muons and a few others that I can't remember.
**As one moves backward toward the time of the Big Bang, Asimov writes that "the temperature grows higher and higher and the energy density is more and more enormous. Scientists feel that they cannot talk of times less than 10 -45 second (one billion of a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang. Less time than that brings about conditions so extreme that space and time have no meaning." This statement is impossible for me to wrap my mind around, and I have no idea what he means by saying that space-time before 10 -45 has "no meaning." Even so, I like this statement. It promotes humility.
September 9, 2013
What's really wonderful about Atom is that it puts subatomic physics into the context of history. When you learn science in the classroom, often the question "How do we know these things?" is left unanswered.
Atom follows a breadcrumb trail of scientific discoveries that begins with early Greek philosophies and advances into the mid 20th century. Asimov takes time to explain each scientist's motives, and he even goes into some specific details about the experiments they conducted. It makes particle physics about the act of discovery, and about the people behind those discoveries, which is something we can all relate to.
And it's all in simple English. No math degree required.
Caveat: The concepts do become somewhat complex, and though Asimov is meticulous about making sure that the trail he leads is unbroken, if you gloss over a section or read on without complete comprehension, you may find yourself in over your head. Not a book for skimming.
Atom follows a breadcrumb trail of scientific discoveries that begins with early Greek philosophies and advances into the mid 20th century. Asimov takes time to explain each scientist's motives, and he even goes into some specific details about the experiments they conducted. It makes particle physics about the act of discovery, and about the people behind those discoveries, which is something we can all relate to.
And it's all in simple English. No math degree required.
Caveat: The concepts do become somewhat complex, and though Asimov is meticulous about making sure that the trail he leads is unbroken, if you gloss over a section or read on without complete comprehension, you may find yourself in over your head. Not a book for skimming.
March 3, 2009
A grand tour of the subatomic world, from Aristotle's five elements to the Higgs boson, conducted by a world-class science writer. Writing from a historical viewpoint, Dr. Asimov provides crystal-clear explanations free of complicated mathematical formulae or tedious lists of facts, with emphasis given on the hows and whys of scientific discovery, as illustrated by the major theoreticians and experimenters. Delightful to read straight through, this book is also an invaluable reference guide to the fundamentals of atomic theory.
My only gripe with Atom is about the illustrations: even in the few instances when they have something to do with what they purport to illustrate, they completely lack any explanatory value. I can only assume they were added posthumously, and by someone who hadn't read Dr. Asimov's lucid descriptions.
My only gripe with Atom is about the illustrations: even in the few instances when they have something to do with what they purport to illustrate, they completely lack any explanatory value. I can only assume they were added posthumously, and by someone who hadn't read Dr. Asimov's lucid descriptions.
June 5, 2024
This was a wonderful and delightful book. It was a perfect introduction to particle theory that starts with the Greek philosophers’ theories about the 4 elements and outlines the historical-scientific progression all the way up to (nearly) current knowledge of Leptons, Hadrons, Interaction particles, etc.
It had a similar feel to The Evolution of Physics by Einstein and Infeld which talks about the progression of classical mechanics and Relativity. Except that this book was written much better and more interestingly as it is by a bestselling author-physicist, rather than two physicists who happen to be writing a book. Asimov knows how to appeal to the general public while not “fluffing up” the writing just to make it accessible—I knew a fair bit about the topic before starting the book and still learned a lot.
The only complaint I have is about the last chapter, The Universe, which talked about Dark Matter, the expansion of the universe, and the Big Bang. I understand how it was relevant to the discussion of particles and the quantum, but it was just such a broad ending that introduced a bunch of new information all at once. Going from quarks to describing the scale of the universe was a little disorienting. I wish he would have at least had a brief summary of the book before his closing paragraph—which was fantastic, btw.
But overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the basics of modern particles physics, especially if you like learning the history something as well as the thing itself.
(Small Caveat: the book was written in the early 90’s so it is not exactly modern physics, as there has been advances since the writing, potentially even debunking of things he claims as fact, but it still covers most of the basics, and any significant advances since then will likely be easily found online)
It had a similar feel to The Evolution of Physics by Einstein and Infeld which talks about the progression of classical mechanics and Relativity. Except that this book was written much better and more interestingly as it is by a bestselling author-physicist, rather than two physicists who happen to be writing a book. Asimov knows how to appeal to the general public while not “fluffing up” the writing just to make it accessible—I knew a fair bit about the topic before starting the book and still learned a lot.
The only complaint I have is about the last chapter, The Universe, which talked about Dark Matter, the expansion of the universe, and the Big Bang. I understand how it was relevant to the discussion of particles and the quantum, but it was just such a broad ending that introduced a bunch of new information all at once. Going from quarks to describing the scale of the universe was a little disorienting. I wish he would have at least had a brief summary of the book before his closing paragraph—which was fantastic, btw.
But overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the basics of modern particles physics, especially if you like learning the history something as well as the thing itself.
(Small Caveat: the book was written in the early 90’s so it is not exactly modern physics, as there has been advances since the writing, potentially even debunking of things he claims as fact, but it still covers most of the basics, and any significant advances since then will likely be easily found online)
December 30, 2017
Celá kniha začíná otázkou, na jakou nejmenší část se dá hmota rozdělit. S mými znalosti atomární fyziky ze základní školy jsem se svými protony, neutrony a elektrony příliš daleko nedošel. V průběhu knihy k nim přiskočilo přes 20 nových částic, no a poté nastala Hadronová zoo ...
Rozhodně to není snadná kniha ke čtení a pokud vás téma nezajímá, ani to nezkoušejte. Ale autor dělá vše proto, abyste ji nechtěli odložit z rukou. Se svými roky praxe ze psaní sci-fi klasik to dělá s krásou sobě vlastní a dávkování informací tak nikdy není (pro nedostatek dobrého českého ekvivalentu) "overwhelming". I když musím uznat, že je to po dlouhé době kniha, u které jsem si musel dělat poznámky doplněné o skici.
Kdybych už nevydal seznam tří oblíbených knih za rok 2017, tak tahle by tam byla.
Rozhodně to není snadná kniha ke čtení a pokud vás téma nezajímá, ani to nezkoušejte. Ale autor dělá vše proto, abyste ji nechtěli odložit z rukou. Se svými roky praxe ze psaní sci-fi klasik to dělá s krásou sobě vlastní a dávkování informací tak nikdy není (pro nedostatek dobrého českého ekvivalentu) "overwhelming". I když musím uznat, že je to po dlouhé době kniha, u které jsem si musel dělat poznámky doplněné o skici.
Kdybych už nevydal seznam tří oblíbených knih za rok 2017, tak tahle by tam byla.
May 18, 2017
I have been through this book at least 4 times and still haven't absorbed it all. Extremely accessible and is one of my top 10 books. Not just for the science content but also for it's insight into the scientific process.
For those picking it up for the first time, the science is dated as it was written in 1991 (published in 1992).
For those picking it up for the first time, the science is dated as it was written in 1991 (published in 1992).
March 15, 2018
Ein etwas reißerrischer Titel (Deutsch: Vom Kosmos zum Chaos), dabei handelt es sich um eine sehr seriöse Geschichte des Atoms von den griechischen Anfängen bis zur Quarktheorie und zu Superstrings. Sehr klar, sehr spannend, ein würdiges Alterswerk des Meisters
January 5, 2019
Much as I enjoy Asimov's fiction, there's absolutely no doubt that what he was best at was explaining complex matters in a clear and readable fashion. "Atom" is no exception here, and he leads the reader through atomic theory without losing anyone. A superb primer on atomic theory.
June 19, 2017
Wow! As an engineering student, I consider Asimov to be my best chemistry teacher yet. I am blown away by his elegant descriptions.
July 25, 2018
Looking at atomic theory from various angles
December 31, 2018
Amazing well written history of how we came to understand the smallest of the small. Surprisingly engaging, this is the book that really ignited my interest in physics.
January 28, 2019
This book changed my life and set it upon a totally new course. I'm forever partial and therefore thoroughly unable to remain objective regarding it's strengths and weaknesses. 5 stars
March 15, 2019
O livro traz a física com a qualidade de escrita do Asimov. Isso é, muito agradável.
Read
June 9, 2019I have the german edition: Vom Kosmos zu Chaos
February 20, 2021
It was really helpful to have a generally chronological road of scientific discovery...not sure why we don't teach atomic science like this
Read
May 28, 2022Didn’t finish. It was pretty good basic physics, I guess.
April 20, 2019
I really like this book. As opposed to other books on physics, because Issac Asimov starts chronologically he builds up gradually to the modern concepts and understanding of the atom. You really feel you understand because you are brought along gradually- each discovery or revelation building on prior information. There are two minor flaws... in general I found the drawings bland. The other flaw is that the book is a little dated. If the author were still alive I have little doubt he would have published a revised edition with some extra chapters to bring us up to date.
shelved
August 8, 2011From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos by Isaac AsimovAtom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos is a non-fiction book by Isaac Asimov and published in 1992. In it, Asimov presents the atom and subatomic particles in a historical context, beginning with Democritus's original thought experiments and theory of atomism, and ending with then-current knowledge of the fundamental particles.
The book is separated into twelve chapters, plus the index."
"Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos by Isaac AsimovAtom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos is a non-fiction book by Isaac Asimov and published in 1992. In it, Asimov presents the atom and subatomic particles in a historical context, beginning with Democritus's original thought experiments and theory of atomism, and ending with then-current knowledge of the fundamental particles.
The book is separated into twelve chapters, plus the index."
Currently reading
October 16, 2008So I have this idea where I write books, right? And this month I was thinking the kind of books I should write are books about physics aimed at educated motivated people interested in physics who don't necessarily have any formal education in it. So I'm reading this with that notion in mind. So far, I'm not all that impressed with the book itself, but it's good food for thought for my own nefarious purposes.
December 30, 2015
Bellissimo. E' un viaggio che racconta la storia dell'infinitamente piccolo partendo dalla concezione di "atomo" dei filosofi greci fino alle moderne scoperte sui quark.
C'è da dire che è un testo del 1991 perciò mancano tutte quelle che sono le ultime scoperte. Ma "l'universo invisibile" è un'ottima base, bellissimo esempio dell'impegno divulgativo di Asimov, portato avanti fino agli ultimi anni della sua vita.
C'è da dire che è un testo del 1991 perciò mancano tutte quelle che sono le ultime scoperte. Ma "l'universo invisibile" è un'ottima base, bellissimo esempio dell'impegno divulgativo di Asimov, portato avanti fino agli ultimi anni della sua vita.
July 14, 2016
El viejo maestro Asimov hace un recorrido histórico por la física de partículas desde Aristóteles hasta los quarks. Aunque hoy en día está ya un poco anticuado (faltan el Higgs y algunas otras cosas), la mayor parte del libro ha aguantado muy bien el paso del tiempo. Don Isaac era un maestro desmenuzando conceptos; lo hacía tan bien que pocas veces necesitaba acudir a las analogías. Una grandísima obra introductoria.
December 7, 2010
First book on chemistry/physics I picked up in middle school. Very readable and fascinating account of important discoveries made up till the 20th century. I remember always getting about 2/3 through the book till the part on "cyclotrons", where it just got really confusing. Other than that, a great introductory text on science for the layman.
November 15, 2014
Being a long time since educational study was compelled upon me, I was still able to get a good bit out of this publication. It may have served me better had I read it 5 years earlier, when physics was a part of the classroom routine. Overall, my knowledge is strengthened having read this book. I read this in 1992.
February 4, 2020
The great explainer, Isaac Asimov (400+ books, 50 years), does a fantastic job introducing us all to the insides of an atom. This is the fundamentals of particle physics in a clear, concise, lean and readable book.
Ch Subject
1. Matter
2. Light
3. Electrons
4. Nuclei
5. Isotopes
6. Neutrons
7. Breakdowns
8. Antimatter
9. Neutrinos
10. Interactions
11. Quarks
12. The Universe
Ch Subject
1. Matter
2. Light
3. Electrons
4. Nuclei
5. Isotopes
6. Neutrons
7. Breakdowns
8. Antimatter
9. Neutrinos
10. Interactions
11. Quarks
12. The Universe
August 17, 2012
A slightly outdated book, Atom nevertheless gives everyone a primer about why the world is as it is. Reviewing some of the most basic modern physics, the book truly takes the reader on a journey through ideas.
June 14, 2014
Asimov does a wonderful job of logically analyzing what occurs in an atom from the basic electron-proton-neutron configuration down to the leptons, muons, tauons, and so forth. He ends the book with an excellent discussion on the expanding universe and how things may end. Enjoyable read.
August 14, 2009
The Good Doctor's story of the discovery of the atom and its subatomic constituents, delivered with his usual emphasis on historical context.
August 20, 2009
Great book about the history of nuclear physics. Basic and clear enough for anyone who is new to the field, but still maintains interest of an amature physicist like myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews