Black Holes, Wormholes and Time Machines |
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Black Holes, Wormholes and Time Machines
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by Jim Al-Khalili
Sales Rank: 621810
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List Price: $29.95
$20.51
At Amazon
on 6-20-2008.
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Features
Cover Type: Paperback with 288 pages
Published by: Taylor & FrancisEdition: 1st Edition January 1, 1999
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 0750305606
ISBN 13 Number: 978-0750305600
Book Dimensions:
8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
Weighs: 12.6 ounces
The Economist, 4-10 December, 1999
Time is a persistent theme in Jim Al-Khalili's account of modern physics. The book is based on a series of lectures that he gave to schoolchildren for the Institute of Physics, although it is also intended for adults. It aims to explain topics such as quantum mechanics, relativity, the big bang and black holes in a way that is accessible to the non-specialist.
Mr Al-Khalili explains that time is thought to have started along with the universe in the big bang, about 15 billion years ago (for comparison, the sun is about halfway through its life of about ten billion years). Time also has a direction: although most physical processes are reversible, there is roughly speaking a tendency (familiar to parents) for the world to become ever less organised.
However, time does not always flow at the same rate: travelling close to the speed of light or falling into a black hole slows the passage of time relative to an observer. These are complex ideas that physicists usually express in mathematical language. Mr Al-Khalili avoids mathematics, yet gives an admirably clear account of some of the concepts involved.
The Physicist, October 1999
Jim Al-Khalili has written a splendid popular book. It begins where it must, with geometry, curved space and all that. The book is authoritative and yet reasonably simple. It contains some great insights and analogies, but always warns you of the limits to the analogies.
The book would be an great resource for school teachers in both Maths and Physics to enrich their teaching, and to enthuse their students. I especially liked the story of the hotel with an infinity of rooms, and the procedures for accommodating further infinities of guests. Finally the book delves into time and time travel and the debate on whether time travel is theoretically possible. This brings into focus the contradictions between quantum physics and general relativity. The reader is left well aware of what we do know and most importantly, what we don't know, and the exciting theoretical challenges ahead.
Many physicists will enjoy this easy to read book, but they will have to be patient with many of the easy bits. I highly recommend it for teenagers with an interest in science and for non-scientists interested in the deep questions of our universe.
Reader Reviews
Al-Khalili effectively explains the principles and mechanics of black holes, multi-dimensional space, etc., with plain talk and a light touch of humor that never obscures or waters down the real science. A cover-to-cover gem.
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Black Holes, Wormholes and Time Machines
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Price: $20.51
Updated on 6-20-2008.
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