• Nothing

  • A Very Short Introduction
  • By: Frank Close
  • Narrated by: Ray Chase
  • Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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Nothing  By  cover art

Nothing

By: Frank Close
Narrated by: Ray Chase
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Publisher's summary

This short, smart book tells you everything you need to know about "nothing". What remains when you take all the matter away? Can empty space - "nothing" - exist? To answer these questions, eminent scientist Frank Close takes us on a lively and accessible journey that ranges from ancient ideas and cultural superstitions to the frontiers of current research, illuminating the story of how scientists have explored the void and the rich discoveries they have made there.

Listeners will find an enlightening history of the vacuum: how the efforts to make a better vacuum led to the discovery of the electron; the ideas of Newton, Mach, and Einstein on the nature of space and time; the mysterious aether and how Einstein did away with it; and the latest ideas that the vacuum is filled with the Higgs field.

The story ranges from the absolute zero of temperature and the seething vacuum of virtual particles and anti-particles that fills space, to the extreme heat and energy of the early universe.

©2009 Frank Close (P)2021 Tantor

What listeners say about Nothing

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fantastic!

Award-winning voiceover artist Ray Chase teaching me about quantum physics? Pinch me, I must be dreaming. This was incredible, definitely would recommend.

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Uniquely insightful

Great conceptual discussions throughout, especially regarding the motivation for cosmic inflation beyond the trivial explanations usually given. It was written ca. 2009, so it's dated; but if you're interested in the educational aspects, without being bored out of your mind while listening, this is a good one.

The narration was great!

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