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in Minutes
Physics in Minutes (In Minutes (Quercus)) by Giles Sparrow
Everything you need to know about physics, condensed into 200 key topics. Each idea is explained in clear, accessible language, building from the basics such as mechanics, waves and particles, to more complex topics including neutrinos, string theory and dark matter.
Unknown Binding
First published January 2, 2014
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431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 23, 2021
As with many other sciences, advances in physics tend to proceed in fits and starts. Banner years come in serial fashion, as one high-profile discovery leads to another, leaving out of date textbooks within their wake, while the more fundamental problems can take ages to resolve. If we freeze the frame in January 2016, some of the latest secrets the universe has revealed to us include the discovery of the Higgs boson particle in 2012 (confirmed on 14 March 2013), CERN'S observation of two new baryon particles which may be key to our understanding of the interactions of quarks, and the rumored confirmation of gravitational wave detections which caught fire just this past week (emphasis on the rumored). Meanwhile, dark matter, thought to make up 85% of the universe's mass, was first theorized in the 1930s, yet we hardly know more about its properties today than we did back then.
Physics in Minutes, by contrast, is a snapshot of the state of physics circa the tail end of 2013. So the tentative confirmation of the short-lived, massive, and massively unstable Higgs particle is given its due, while the discovery of pentaquarks (a vital prediction of quantum chromodynamics), other instantiations of hitherto unobserved baryonic matter, and LIGO's potential detection of actual gravitational waves (as opposed to imprints of primordial waves in the CMB vis-à-vis the BICEP2 debacle of 2014) don't make the cut. On occasion, science moves quickly, but not quickly enough to overturn any of the foundational concepts described in this splendid primer.
As a shortcut to conversational competence, this 400-page cheat sheet of sorts delivers exactly what it promises. Key concepts throughout the various realms of physics—from the macroscopic scales of black holes and the universe writ large down to the subatomic world of nuclei and electrons—are unspooled with the right mix of jargon and everyday wordage. You won't be giving lectures any time soon, but there's enough on board to keep you afloat at the next cocktail party.
Perfect for lavatories and coffee tables, Physics in Minutes offers up accessible descriptions of the physical principles which govern the Universe and everything within it. Use it to refresh forgotten knowledge, revise common misconceptions or spark far-ranging conversations about existence. Just add thinking.
Note: This review is republished from my official website.
Physics in Minutes, by contrast, is a snapshot of the state of physics circa the tail end of 2013. So the tentative confirmation of the short-lived, massive, and massively unstable Higgs particle is given its due, while the discovery of pentaquarks (a vital prediction of quantum chromodynamics), other instantiations of hitherto unobserved baryonic matter, and LIGO's potential detection of actual gravitational waves (as opposed to imprints of primordial waves in the CMB vis-à-vis the BICEP2 debacle of 2014) don't make the cut. On occasion, science moves quickly, but not quickly enough to overturn any of the foundational concepts described in this splendid primer.
As a shortcut to conversational competence, this 400-page cheat sheet of sorts delivers exactly what it promises. Key concepts throughout the various realms of physics—from the macroscopic scales of black holes and the universe writ large down to the subatomic world of nuclei and electrons—are unspooled with the right mix of jargon and everyday wordage. You won't be giving lectures any time soon, but there's enough on board to keep you afloat at the next cocktail party.
Perfect for lavatories and coffee tables, Physics in Minutes offers up accessible descriptions of the physical principles which govern the Universe and everything within it. Use it to refresh forgotten knowledge, revise common misconceptions or spark far-ranging conversations about existence. Just add thinking.
Note: This review is republished from my official website.
August 20, 2014
This book does what it says on the cover. It provides two hundred brief accounts of important concepts in physics. The topics covered include everything from classical mechanics to relativity and cosmology, addressing along the way waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, matter, electricity, nuclear physics, quantum physics, and particle physics. Nothing obvious is omitted.
Naturally, each of the topics is covered only in the sketchiest of detail, which works well as a refresher for subjects previously covered at school or university, but is not so successful for areas that are new to the reader. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable book and, embracing everything as it does, it serves as a springboard for investigating the newer subjects that are discussed. Giles Sparrow has an excellent grasp of the whole field of physics and has a good way of summarising information whilst at same time making the reader think. It's a great book for dipping into when you have a few spare minutes.
Naturally, each of the topics is covered only in the sketchiest of detail, which works well as a refresher for subjects previously covered at school or university, but is not so successful for areas that are new to the reader. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable book and, embracing everything as it does, it serves as a springboard for investigating the newer subjects that are discussed. Giles Sparrow has an excellent grasp of the whole field of physics and has a good way of summarising information whilst at same time making the reader think. It's a great book for dipping into when you have a few spare minutes.
June 14, 2020
Got to page 16. I was great at high school chemistry, terrible at physics. I figured by now I should be able to understand it, especially using a little book that claims to explain things clearly and briefly. Well, I was sorely disappointed; I finally gave up when I read the description of momentum and got to the line that said “the change in velocity is proportional to the change in velocity…”
I give up!
I give up!
March 20, 2020
On the positive side many complex topics were discussed. On the negative side, how successful can one be when given one to two pages for each topic. Still, it has some entertainment value and is written for the layperson.
December 18, 2024
Physics in Minutes is a handheld short book full of 200 key concepts of physics explained in one page. It's the perfect addition to your backpack whether you're revising for a written test, preparing to learn advanced physics, or teaching. It is suitable for ages as young as 7 because of the accessible language. The book starts from basic concepts like mechanics, electricity, and gravity to more complex topics normally learnt in university physics, like neutrinos, string theory, and dark matter. It is practically 5 years of physics curriculum summarised that can be read in an afternoon.
These major sections of physics are covered: classical mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, matter, electricity, nuclear physics, quantum physics, relativity, and cosmology. The illustrations in the book really help with understanding each topic. After reading one page, you can cover it. and recite what you can remember.
Although this book alone cannot be used to pass physics as a class—they are just explanations; they do not give you enough information to be able to properly answer numerical questions or theoretical ones. However, it is important to know the basics. For example, knowing how to multiply doesn't mean that you can create the proof for the Pythagorean theorem from scratch. It is better suited for interview questions or dinner table talks, in my opinion.
The best explanation has to be the one for string theory. I recommend this book for anyone who has even an inkling of interest in physics, whether you're a student or not.
These major sections of physics are covered: classical mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, matter, electricity, nuclear physics, quantum physics, relativity, and cosmology. The illustrations in the book really help with understanding each topic. After reading one page, you can cover it. and recite what you can remember.
Although this book alone cannot be used to pass physics as a class—they are just explanations; they do not give you enough information to be able to properly answer numerical questions or theoretical ones. However, it is important to know the basics. For example, knowing how to multiply doesn't mean that you can create the proof for the Pythagorean theorem from scratch. It is better suited for interview questions or dinner table talks, in my opinion.
The best explanation has to be the one for string theory. I recommend this book for anyone who has even an inkling of interest in physics, whether you're a student or not.
May 29, 2022
A nice summary of 200 differentconcepts in a way that didn't dumb things down too much. I got through most of it OK - but electromagnetism and particle physics were a bit more of a slog.
Now onto some Feynman...
Now onto some Feynman...
January 12, 2019
۱۰۰ صفحه آخر کوانتوم به بعد رو نفهمیدم
April 9, 2022
На самом деле очень неплохой справочник (может перечитаю)
November 24, 2024
3.5 lotsa spelling mistakes and some issues
October 1, 2016
A quick and concise trip refreshing old studies and enlightening on some very interesting facts on how physical laws and properties have been developed over the years. Easy one small page explanations make this a fast read hard to put down if you are hungry for knowledge. Great in waiting rooms at the doctors and DMV.
May 3, 2015
Instant physics, just add attention. Great to read during lunch or dinner alone. Brings back those concepts you may have forgotten and provides a pleasant introduction to those you may not have known. Great for shaking out the cobwebs from your thinking engine.
June 28, 2015
A really nice book, doing exactly what the title is saying. A very good compilation of concepts of physics explained in one or two pagers. It doesn't go much in depth, but it shows clearly how different concepts are connected and how they came to be.
January 20, 2014
A really simple explination of many of Physics' more complicated topics.
July 3, 2014
Brilliant bite size physics for the new scientist
July 13, 2014
Really clear and concise explanation of all concepts of Physics.
December 27, 2014
From classical machanics to quantum mechanics. 200 key concepts in physics explained in minutes
July 17, 2015
Impressive book and very informative and easy to understand, serving as the push one might need to enter the amazing world of physics!
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August 1, 2015I read most of the book had to take it back to the library. I found it very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews