Quantum Physics for Absolute Beginners
Understand Quantum Physics and Its Real-World Applications Without Confusing Math.
Antonio Tropiano, PhD in Particle Physics
Understand the mysteries of quantum physics without complex math, even if you’ve never studied science before.
Are you curious to understand the fascinating quantum universe, yet feel lost in complicated explanations, math and difficult jargon?
Written by a PhD in Particle Physics, Quantum Physics for Absolute Beginners demystifies this challenging subject with clarity and precision. This book is designed to unlock the quantum world for readers with no prior knowledge, offering a friendly, engaging, and scientifically sound introduction. Antonio Tropiano’s experience with the subject spans more than a decade. From getting a PhD in Particle Physics to spending years in active research and teaching, he learnt to explain complex scientific ideas to novices ensuring that every concept is at the same time easy to understand and scientifically precise.
You don’t need a background in math or science to understand the core ideas. This book explains everything in everyday language.
Your review helps others discover the fascinating world of Quantum Physics. Please consider leaving a review on Amazon at this link!
Bonus Content
Chapter 1 — Physics at the dawn of the 20th century
At the dawn of the 20th century, physics seemed a well established discipline. This chapter is a review of the field of Physics before the quantum revolution.
Additional readings & material
- A fairly deep dive into Newton's laws directly from NASA
- A more detailed introduction to the various subjects that make up classical physics - Susskind's series "The theoretical minimum".
- The principle of least action - an historical overview.
- An article that helps to understand the famous speech by Lord Kelvin.
- Understand how classical physics is just an approximation of quantum physics on the macroscopic scale.
Chapter 2 — The Black Body Problem
How an apparently simple mathematical trick to model the way objects emit light, unlocks the key to understand physics at small scales.
Additional readings & material
Chapter 3 — The photoelectric effect
The strange properties of the photoelectric effect, how it clashes with classical physics and the genius that solved the puzzle (of course, it's Einstein).
Additional readings & material
- The original account of JJ Thomson discovery of the electron in his article from 1897. From page 293.
- Lenard gave a beautiful account of the history of cathode rays in his Nobel Prize lecture.
- Millikan's book on the property of electrons is a rare gem.
- Einstein's original paper on the photoelectric effect was written in German, but luckily you can find an English translation here.
Chapter 4 — Atomic models
The search for the internal structure of matter, how electrons orbit around the nucleus and the first quantum theory of atoms.
Additional readings & material
- This book by Thomson is a very clear account of both the experiments and the theory behind the interaction of electricity and matter.
- Helge Kragh gives a detailed account of the theories of the atomic structure up to and including Rutherford's atomic model in this awesome book.
- Geiger-Marsden original article on their famous experiment is reproduced here. Exceptionally clear and very interesting to read.
- Rutherford's article on The Structure of the Atom is reproduced here.
- Niels Bohr's series of articles on his model of the atom..
- Franck's Nobel lecture outlining the experiment that confirmed Bohr's theory.
Chapter 5 — A new Physics
The introduction of wave-particle duality and the formulation of modern quantum mechanics.
Additional readings & material
- The account of De Broglie's hypothesis from his Nobel lecture
- Davisson and Germer detailed paper on electron diffraction. An accident that led to the Nobel prize.
- Schrödinger's original paper on wave mechanics. A bit technical, but it contains a good amount of interesting discussion.
- A great video that explains Heisenberg's obscure paper step by step. Really worth watching.
- Richard Feynman Nobel lecture, entertaining and insightful as always.
Chapter 6 — Quantum Effects
The strange consequences of quantum mechanics and how to try to interpret them.
Additional readings & material
Chapter 7 — Quantum Physics Everyday
How quantum physics is fundamental for most of modern technology.
Additional readings & material
- How do you get from the Schrödinger's equation to the electronic band structure in materials (with a bit of math).
- Another fascinating historical article on the discovery of LEDs.
- The history of the invention of the transistor and where it will lead us.
- The best written and more detailed article on the photovoltaic effect, the principle behind solar cells.
- The effects of quantum tunneling in the miniaturization of transistors.
- This free book by Thomas Wong is an excellent introduction to classical and quantum computing.
- A detailed and exhaustive explanation of how a quantum computing algorithm works.
Chapter 8 — Quantum Physics Interpretations
All the attempts to reconcile quantum physics with the nature of reality.
Additional readings & material
- A very deep discussion of the Many-World interpretation of Quantum Physics.
- All Quantum Physics interpretations (and more) are summarized in this excellent article.
- A great overview of Bohm's alternative interpretation of Quantum Physics.
- Sean Carroll blog with lots of articles on the Many-Worlds interpretation.