Quantum Physics

What Everyone Needs to Know

By: Michael G. Raymer

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Around 1900, physicists started to discover particles like electrons, protons, and neutrons, and with these discoveries believed they could predict the internal behavior of the atom. However, once their predictions were compared to the results of experiments in the real world, it became clear that the principles of classical physics and mechanics were far from capable of explaining phenomena on the atomic scale. With this realization came the advent of quantum physics, one of the most important intellectual movements in human history. Today, quantum physics is everywhere: it explains how our computers work, how lasers transmit information across the Internet, and allows scientists to predict accurately the behavior of nearly every particle in nature. Its application continues to be fundamental in the investigation of the most expansive questions related to our world and the universe.  

However, while the field and principles of quantum physics are known to have nearly limitless applications, the fundamental reasons why this is the case are far less understood. In Quantum Physics: What Everyone Needs to Know, quantum physicist Michael G. Raymer distills the basic principles of such an abstract field, and addresses the many ways quantum physics is a key factor in today's science and beyond. The book tackles questions as broad as the meaning of quantum entanglement and as specific and timely as why governments worldwide are spending billions of dollars developing quantum technology research. Raymer's list of topics is diverse, and showcases the sheer range of questions and ideas in which quantum physics is involved. From applications like data encryption and quantum computing to principles and concepts like "quantum nonlocality" and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Quantum Physics: What Everyone Needs to Know is a wide-reaching introduction to a nearly ubiquitous scientific topic.

©2017 Oxford University Press (P)2018 Tantor

Where are the figures..?

Listening to QM is difficult in itself, but without having the referred diagrams, figures, and formulas in front of me, it's downright incomprehensible. I've seen with other books that a PDF is also offered with auxiliary material, so I inquired if Audible has it for this book too. They don't, and they have no ETA for the availability, either.

I'll revise my rating once this is mitigated by Audible.

P.S.: The narration is quote annoying with or without the figures.

why can I not review this book in under 15 words.

easy to understand. fuck audible. just let me finish the book and review it with less than 15 words.

This book was very informative but it was not for the general reader or even someone trying to learn about quantum physics.

I am an amateur in quantum physics, I’ve been reading books on quantum physics for several years trying to understand the dilemma in the field. Several of the chapters in this book were way over My head

If I had known this book was so highly technical I am might have thought twice about buying it. Although, several of the chapters were very good.

Excellent overview explained in clear language

An excellent overview of the current state of quantum physics that uses easily digestible analogies. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to describe quantum phenomenon now than what I had understood previously via standard pop-science explanations. For example, the uncertainty principle is usually stated as: if you measure the position of a particle then its momentum is uncertain, and vice-versa. But, it's important to understand that the "particle" in this case never had a position or momentum, and the author spends a sufficient amount of time on this and other concepts to clarify the difference. This, and other concepts are all elucidated well, a difficult task for a subject that is inherently unintuitive. The reader comes away with the full appreciation that quantum fields can explain virtually every process in the universe with great accuracy, along with the profound wonder about it's deeper meaning without veering into the mystical.

great content

Would be nice to see the diagrams for sure. if it included a PDF I'd would be giving it all 6s. I love this narrator's voice for technical books.

Amazing

I’ve read or listened to most quantum physics books out there and this one by far does the best at explaining the theory accurately without dumbing down the material or making analogies that don’t hold up under scrutiny. The author does an amazing job at describing what is known/not known/can’t be known and why as well as providing sufficient evidence and persuasion to allow the reader to come to the same conclusions on their own - something very hard to achieve in such a complicated theory of reality that does not fit our intuition. Bravo!! The narrator for the audiobook is also one of my favorites. His voice is soothing and relaxing, which helps when listening to something that typically causes a person to become perplexed or frustrated in the ability to fully comprehend what the author is saying. 5 stars for sure. Get this book or audiobook and share with your friends!

Good primer and the narrator's voice is relaxing

I mainly got this one because I like the narrator and over time you forget a lot of the basic foundations, so tried it out. For someone just refreshing your memory or, and especially, anyone getting their first taste of quantum physics, this book does a very good job! It doesn't get too far from the foundational descriptions that you need to keep in mind as you learn more and more.

and beyond that the narrator is great very understandable and relaxing voice,.

Awesome

I mean what more could you ask for, i could listen for free. Just goes to show how much you can learn in this world, much better than the others. Pick up an applied quantum mathematics work book why you’re at it.

Tecnical

You will have better underrstanding
after listening. I have to
Listen again for sure

The Facination of Quantum Computer

I just live it. It is clear to me. This book told me what many professors did not have the strenght to tell me.

Good book IF ...

I was actually looking for a QM book that is not written like a fantasy book but still possible to follow it from the audio version. This book unlike what it claims, in my opinion, is not at all sth that everyone needs to know. Why should everyone need to know about polirization state for example? or quantum encryption? I have a PhD in laser physics and enjoy this stuff mainly to improve my pedagogical skills and get a deeper insights on the matter.
Up until chapter 3 it was amazing, a 5 star without doubts. suddenly all of those zeros and ones and arrows upwards and downwards and etc started, impossible to follow
szwhile walking with my son's stroller. I was hoping a pdf is attached so I can see the figures later, but nope! nothing. So had to google for each figure and hardly could find them. Chapter four gives a very unique insight of wave functions and probabilities. But I had to search for all the figures, hoping it ends in Ch 4 but 5 was the same. I gave it up finally. Loved the book BUT it is not suitable for audio version, or just somehow someone asks the publisher to attach a pdf with the figures.
At last, one cannot simply make real QM more popular by changing "wavelength" to "full length cycle" or sth like that.
If you you are studying QM in a course or had studied it, buy the hard copy version, I might as well do.

Poorly marketed

Bit complex if honest. If you title it what everyone should know you open it up a bit to the general public. You need a physics degree to understand. I came with a business perspective to see how this could impact tech innovation but gave up half way though and feel quite deflated.

Clear, detailed and thorough!

This book is incredibly well written and narrated. It provides a full and detailed understanding of the fundamental aspects of quantum physics. It also goes into enough detail to enable a respectable debate with experts in the field. It is useful for individuals with no or little prior knowledge of the subject matter as well as for individuals looking to broaden their existing understanding. One of the best books I have found on quantum physics.

very very very boring

really struggled with this book...got to chapter 3 and gave up. Not at all like any of the other books of this genre.
sorry but no thanks

Good intro to Quantum Mechanics

This is a good intro to the subject although I did have to read a few of the parts more than once! Could do with a PDF of the diagrams referenced as I had to imagine them in my head making some of the descriptions rather hard to comprehend. I also have some knowledge of the basics of Quantum Mechanics from other books so not a total newcomer.