A Mysterious Universe introduces the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics, theory of relativity, and cosmology to a novice in simple language. This concise book deals with deep issues related to the mysteries of modern physics.
Both quantum mechanics and relativity are highly mathematical subjects and are not easily accessible. In 2020, the author wrote a book Quantum Mechanics for Beginners with the aim of introducing the fundamentals of quantum theory to someone with elementary knowledge of physics and algebra. Here he goes one step further and introduces these ideas to someone with no prior knowledge of physics and mathematics. In the first part of the book, topics like the wave-particle duality, the probabilistic nature of the measurement, the possibility of multiple universes, and the nature of reality are discussed. In the second part, Einstein's special and general theories of relativity and their amazing and mind-boggling consequences are presented. The impact of the theory of relativity on cosmology is immense. The big bang model of the universe, black holes, and the current hot topics of dark matter and dark energy are explained and discussed. These fields that may hold the key to many unanswered questions about the universe are still evolving.
This book is intended for readers, young and old, who would like to understand the incomprehensible laws that govern the universe without any prior background in physics and mathematics.
Early science, spanning from antiquity to 1600 CE, was characterized by traditions developed across various global cultures and was primarily based on observation and logical arguments rather than systematic experimentation. This period culminated in Europe with the Scientific Revolution, which began to challenge the long-standing classical views toward the end of the era.
Key Characteristics and Traditions
Global Foundations: Scientific traditions flourished in ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia (who developed writing, mathematics, and the wheel), Egypt, India, and China, as well as among pre-Columbian peoples in Mesoamerica (who established astronomy and mathematics for calendars).
Greek Dominance in Europe: In Europe, the classical texts of Greek and Roman authors, such as Aristotle and Ptolemy, were considered the most important authorities in most scientific areas of study for nearly 2,000 years.
Natural Philosophy: What we call "science" today was known as "natural philosophy". This field often blended with religion, astrology, and alchemy, seeking to understand the natural world primarily through reason and logical debate.
Observation-Based: While some experiments were conducted by figures like Archimedes, the primary method of gathering knowledge was through observation and theoretical description, not the rigorous, repeatable experimentation that defines modern science.
Major Developments before 1600
Astronomy: Early astronomers, including Tycho Brahe, made incredibly accurate observations of celestial bodies using instruments like sextants, leading to a vast body of data that would later be used by Johannes Kepler. Nicolaus Copernicus's work, De Revolutionibus, published in 1543, proposed a heliocentric (Sun-centered) model of the universe, directly challenging the Ptolemaic Earth-centered system and marking a key starting point for the Scientific Revolution.
Medicine and Anatomy: Andreas Vesalius published De humani corporis fabrica in 1543, a seminal work on human anatomy based on his own observations from dissection, which challenged traditional Galenic medicine.
Physics/Natural Philosophy: William Gilbert published De Magnete in 1600, a hyper-empirical study of magnetism and electricity that laid foundations for the theory of magnetism and provided an early example of experimentation.
Exploration and Colonial Science: The Age of Exploration and the Columbian Exchange facilitated a global exchange of plants, animals, and ideas. The resulting "cabinets of curiosity" led to early attempts at scientific classification, though often in a disorganized manner.
Transition to Modern Science (Around 1600)
The year 1600 serves as a conventional boundary, as a shift began towards a new methodology. Thinkers like Francis Bacon and William Gilbert started championing direct observation and practical experience over strict adherence to classical authority. The invention of the telescope and microscope around this time opened up previously unobservable realms, fundamentally changing the way the world and universe were understood and laying the groundwork for the modern scientific method and the mathematical laws formulated in the 17th century.
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