Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition

By: Richard Wolfson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Richard Wolfson

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

"It doesn't take an Einstein to understand modern physics," says Professor Wolfson at the outset of these twenty-four lectures on what may be the most important subjects in the universe: relativity and quantum physics. Both have reputations for complexity. But the basic ideas behind them are, in fact, simple and comprehensible by anyone. These dynamic and illuminating lectures begin with a brief overview of theories of physical reality starting with Aristotle and culminating in Newtonian or "classical" physics. After that, you'll follow along as Professor Wolfson outlines the logic that led to Einstein's profound theory of special relativity and the simple yet far-reaching insight on which it rests. With that insight in mind, you'll move on to consider Einstein's theory of general relativity and its interpretation of gravitation in terms of the curvature of space and time.

From there, you'll embark on a dazzling exploration of how inquiry into matter at the atomic and subatomic scales led to quandaries that are resolved-or at least clarified-by quantum mechanics, a vision of physical reality so profound and so at odds with our experience that it nearly defies language.

By bringing relativity and quantum mechanics into the same picture, you'll chart the development of fascinating hypotheses about the origin, development, and possible futures of the entire universe, as well as the possibility that physics can produce a "theory of everything" to account for all aspects of the physical world. But the goal throughout these lectures remains the same: to present the key ideas of modern physics in a way that makes them clear to the interested layperson.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

Fair Course

Fairly good... It's old............... Pre year 2000
....... But interesting
....... Update needed....... Mmmm nnnnn

Relativity theory part fantastic

Great book, especillay the first part about relativity. Very interessting to get the history leading to the breakthrows

newbies

I thought it was a very enlightening book. Some reviews said the information was out of date but they were people whom studied physics . I on the other hand found the info greatly interesting .

Best and best! Best book to learn physics! It's great!

If you were willingly waiting to learn physics and everything related to universe and theories, this book is for you.

excellent!

excellent! great course! excellent narrator!!! I wish much more courses like that. highly recommended.

Very effective at explaining complex theories!

In my engineering classes, we often seemed to skip much of the conceptual implications of complex theories and go straight to the math of it all. Though the math is the meat of science, this book reminds us that it is sometimes worthwhile to step away from the calculus and discuss topics in human terms. Very refreshing and good information for non-scientists as well.

Organized, informative, understandable.

Thorough and detailed information presented in an interesting and understandable manner. Well done. Highly recommended.

Learn, beyond Space and Time...

This is fascinating! A 12 hour deep dive into Physics, historic, current and future.
If you are curious in general, and in how the bigger (and tinier) universe work, this is a course for you.
I got myself the updated version through The Great Courses on Audible.
I am deeply impressed by Professor Wolfson's ability to explain these complex matters to laypersons like me.

Great course to get an idea about modern Physics

Excellent lecturer. He really tried and managed to make things simple enough for the general public.

5 stars for Professor Wolfson!

I highly enjoyed this lecture, it is an intelligent & easy to understand discourse on the fundamentals of quantum physics. Professor Wolfson does an excellent job breaking the material down in such a way as for the layman to understand. Highly recommended!