The Strange Story of the Quantum

This book is absolutly amazing, with very clear language that anyone could almsot understand. The beginning of the book does really start off as some dramatic book, but in the end, when all the dots are connected, you get the clearest explanation of why quantum world is random, but not the psuedo-random like the toss of a coin. At the points when the things really need to be explained as clearly as possible to the reader, the author does just that and leaves the story writting outline aside, while making sure that the reader really comperhands all the unusual quantum phenomena.

In Hoffmann's metaphorical language, exploration of the microcosm is like approximating a circle by means of polygons of greater and greater numbers of sides. You can't go on ad infinitum. The quantum is a minimum discernable action (energy acting over time) placing a limit on precision. You can never get as precise as the circle and therefore it disappears from reality. There are only polygons. But if there are no circles, why does the universe bother to approximate them? Hoffmann does not ask or answer that last question, but he discovers form in another way. A supposed particulate object can possess a quantum without any formal precision; that is, you can't know its position or momentum exactly. Particles disappear into a smear and without them so do atoms (and molecules, etc.). In Hoffmann's analogy, you can see flowing water or water molecules, but you can't see both. The flow disappears when you try to discover of what it consists (where does the fire go when it goes out?). Similarly spacetime disappears among the indeterminate particles. This supposed event causes Hoffmann some regret, but why should it? He believes, it seems, in the perceived forms and cannot give them up for any indiscernable smears of action. We don't get any such affirmation, however. He obeys the unspoken protocol never to mix physics and metaphysics.

I truly enjoyed this book. I enjoy physics, and this book I believe is great for anyone who wants to know about the history of the quantum.Hoffman wrote this book as if he is speaking directly to you, with a sense of humor and wit.Are physicist right-well, most of the time.

This wonderful book written by Hoffman in 1947 (and updated in 1958) is timeless. That seems like a rather strange statement considering we are talking about physics, which seems to upend itself every 10 years! I am an avid fan of books on physics, astrophysics and cosmology. I have one major deficit and that is I have little math background. Hoffman's ability to write about complex concepts in a nonmathematical format is superb. His historical accounting of how classical physics was astounded by quantum physics is both stimulating and entertaining. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about the origins of today's popular thoughts in physics.

Hoffman writes with attention to scientific detail as well as with a wry sense of humor: Is light a wave or a particle? Yes! Is the electron here or there? Yes! Do physicists really know what they're talking about? Yes!