Leonard Susskind

"Nelle leggi e nelle costanti di natura vi sono molte coincidenze che non si sanno ricondurre a principi generali: sono dati empirici. Secondo alcuni queste coincidenze sarebbero stabilite in modo da permettere la nostra esistenza. Tale idea, detta Principio antropico, e invisa alla maggioranza dei fisici, che tuttavia sono ora obbligati a riconsiderare le proprie posizioni. A dare spazio al ragionamento antropico e la teoria delle stringhe, che si e rivelata in grado di trovare un denominatore comune tra visioni del mondo antitetiche ma irrinunciabili. La mossa decisiva fu l''aver sostituito alle particelle puntiformi un filamento unidimensionale: la stringa o corda. Tutta la varieta presente nell''universo era riconducibile ai differenti modi di vibrazione di queste minuscole stringhe. Il prezzo da pagare consisteva nel fatto che queste vibrazioni avvenivano in uno spazio a dieci dimensioni: cio significa che vi e un numero enorme di modi in cui passare dalle diverse dimensioni accessibili, e ciascuno conduce a un ""universo"" con proprieta fisiche differenti e valori diversi delle costanti fondamentali. La teoria, almeno per ora, non riesce a privilegiare un singolo modo che ci porti all''universo da noi osservato. Per uscire dall''impasse, Susskind ha proposto che il ""paesaggio"" formato da questa moltitudine di universi abbia esistenza reale. Questo mutamento di prospettiva assurge oggia nuovo paradigma. "

«¿Qué sucede cuando algo cae en un agujero negro? ¡Desaparece!». Esto es lo que afirmó hace treinta años un joven físico llamado Stephen Hawking suscitando un fecundísimo debate sobre las leyes funda

For anyone who is determined to learn physics for real, looking beyond conventional popularizations, this is the ideal place to start. It gets directly to the important points, with nuggets of deep insight scattered along the way Sean Carroll, physicist and author of The Particle at the End of the UniverseIn this stimulating primer, world-class physicist and father of string theory Leonard Susskind and citizen-scientist George Hrabovsky combine forces to provide the ultimate master class in modern physics. Unlike most popular physics books - which give readers a taste of what physicists know but not what they actually do - Susskind and Hrabovsky teach the skills you need to do physics yourself. Combining crystal-clear explanations of the laws of the universe with basic exercises, the authors cover the minimum - the theoretical minimum of the title - that readers need to master in order to move on to more advanced topics.In a lucid, engaging style, Susskind and Hrabovsky introduce the key concepts of modern physics, from classical mechanics to general relativity to quantum theory. Instead of shying away from the equations and maths that are essential to any understanding of physics, they provide a practical toolkit that you wont find in any other popular science book.The Theoretical Minimum is a book for anyone who has ever regretted not taking physics at university, who knows a little but is keen to know more-or who simply wants to learn how to think like a physicist.

The third volume in the bestselling physics series cracks open Einsteins special relativity and field theory Physicist Leonard Susskind and data engineer Art Friedman are back. This time, they introduce readers to Einsteins special relativity and Maxwells classical field theory. Using their typical brand of real math, enlightening drawings, and humor, Susskind and Friedman walk us through the complexities of waves, forces, and particles by exploring special relativity and electromagnetism. Its a must-read for both devotees of the series and any armchair physicist who wants to improve their knowledge of physics deepest truths.

A master teacher presents the ultimate introduction to classical mechanics for people who are serious about learning physics"Beautifully clear explanations of famously difficult things," -- Wall Street JournalIf you ever regretted not taking physics in college -- or simply want to know how to think like a physicist -- this is the book for you. In this bestselling introduction to classical mechanics, physicist Leonard Susskind and hacker-scientist George Hrabovsky offer a first course in physics and associated math for the ardent amateur. Challenging, lucid, and concise, The Theoretical Minimum provides a tool kit for amateur scientists to learn physics at their own pace.

The latest volume in the New York Timesbestselling physics series explains Einsteins masterpiece: the general theory of relativity He taught us classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. Now, physicist Leonard Susskind, assisted by a new collaborator, Andre Cabannes, returns to tackle Einsteins general theory of relativity. Starting from the equivalence principle and covering the necessary mathematics of Riemannian spaces and tensor calculus, Susskind and Cabannes explain the link between gravity and geometry. They delve into black holes, establish Einstein field equations, and solve them to describe gravity waves. The authors provide vivid explanations that, to borrow a phrase from Einstein himself, are as simple as possible (but no simpler). An approachable yet rigorous introduction to one of the most important topics in physics, General Relativity is a must-read for anyone who wants a deeper knowledge of the universes real structure.

From the bestselling author of The Theoretical Minimum, a DIY introduction to the math and science of quantum mechanics. First he taught you classical mechanics. Now, physicist Leonard Susskind has teamed up with data engineer Art Friedman to present the theory and associated mathematics of the strange world of quantum mechanics. In this follow-up to the New York Times best-selling The Theoretical Minimum, Susskind and Friedman provide a lively introduction to this famously difficult field, which attempts to understand the behavior of sub-atomic objects through mathematical abstractions. Unlike other popularizations that shy away from quantum mechanics weirdness, Quantum Mechanics embraces the utter strangeness of quantum logic. The authors offer crystal-clear explanations of the principles of quantum states, uncertainty and time dependence, entanglement, and particle and wave states, among other topics, and each chapter includes exercises to ensure mastery of each area. Like The Theoretical Minimum, this volume runs parallel to Susskinds eponymous Stanford University-hosted continuing education course. An approachable yet rigorous introduction to a famously difficult topic, Quantum Mechanics provides a tool kit for amateur scientists to learn physics at their own pace.

The latest volume in The New York Times bestselling physics series explains Einsteins masterpiece: the general theory of relativityHe taught us classical mechanics, quantum mechanics and special relativity. Now, physicist Leonard Susskind, assisted by a new collaborator, Andre Cabannes, returns to tackle Einsteins general theory of relativity. Starting from the equivalence principle and covering the necessary mathematics of Riemannian spaces and tensor calculus, Susskind and Cabannes explain the link between gravity and geometry. They delve into black holes, establish Einstein field equations and solve them to describe gravity waves. The authors provide vivid explanations that, to borrow a phrase from Einstein himself, are as simple as possible (but no simpler).An approachable yet rigorous introduction to one of the most important topics in physics, General Relativity is a must-read for anyone who wants a deeper knowledge of the universes real structure.

Quantum mechanics for real. This is the good stuff, the most mysterious aspects of how reality works, set out with crystalline clarity. The place to start Sean Carroll, physicist, California Institute of Technology, author of The Particle at the End of the UniverseThis is the ultimate practical introduction to quantum mechanics. World-renowned physicist Leonard Susskind and data engineer Art Friedman give you the basic skills you need to tackle this famously difficult topic yourself.They provide clear, lively explanations of basic concepts, introduce the key fields of quantum mechanics and include step-by-step exercises. Making a complex subject as simple as possible, but no simpler, this is a practical toolkit for amateur scientists that you wont find anywhere else.

Beautifully clear explanations of famously "difficult" things ... It almost makes you think you could have been a Newton yourself John Gribbin Here is the ultimate master class in modern physics. World-class physicist and father of string theory Leonard Susskind and citizen-scientist George Hrabovsky combine forces in a primer that teaches the skills you need to do physics yourself.Combining crystal-clear explanations of the laws of the universe with basic exercises (including essential equations and maths), the authors cover the minimum that readers should master. They introduce the key concepts of modern physics, from classical mechanics to general relativity to quantum theory, and provide a practical toolkit that you wont find in any other popular science book.A good and noble bookSunday TimesA wonderful and unique resource. For anyone who is determined to learn physics for real, looking beyond conventional popularizations, this is the ideal place to start Sean Carroll, physicist and author of The Particle at the End of the UniverseVery readable ... provides a clear description of advanced classical physics concepts, and gives readers who want a challenge the opportunity to exercise their brainPhysics World

In the first two books in his wildly popular The Theoretical Minimum series, world-class physicist Leonard Susskind provided a brilliant first course in classical and quantum mechanics, offering readers not an oversimplified introduction, but the real thing - everything you need to start doing physics, and nothing more. Now, thankfully, Susskind and his former student Art Friedman are back, this time to introduce readers to special relativity and classical field theory. At last, waves, forces and particles will be demystified. Using their typical brand of relatively simple maths, enlightening sketches and the same fictional counterparts, Art and Lenny, Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory takes us on an enlightening journey through a world now governed by the laws of special relativity. Starting in their new watering hole, Hermanns Hideaway, with a lesson on relativity, Art and Lenny walk us through the complexities of Einsteins famous theory. Combining rigor with humour, Susskind and Friedman guarantee that Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory will become part of the readers physics toolbox.

«¿Qué sucede cuando algo cae en un agujero negro? ¡Desaparece!». Esto es lo que afirmó hace treinta años un joven físico llamado Stephen Hawking suscitando un fecundísimo debate sobre las leyes funda

¿Puede explicar la ciencia el hecho extraordinario de que el universo parece estar sorprendentemente bien diseñado para nuestra propia existencia? En este libro, Leonard Susskind, uno de los padres de la teoria de cuerdas (para algunos la gran esperanza actual de uan teoria de todo), aborda esta fundamental pregunta diseñando un escenario, un "paisaje cosmico", en el que no tienen cabida elementos extracientificos como los que utilizan todos aquellos que propugnan un "diseño (y diseñador) inteligente". "Creo firmemente -escribe Susskind- que la ciencia real requiere explicaciones que no incluyan agentes sobrenaturales. Y, al igual que creo que el ojo evoluciono por mecanismos darwinianos, creo que los fisicos y los cosmologos tambien deben encontrar una explicacion natural de nuestro mundo, incluyendo los admirables y felices accidentes que conspiraron para hacer posible nuestra propia existencia". Para argumentar este conmovedor canto a la racionalidad, Susskind despliega su experiencia en la primera linea de la investigacion en la fisica de altas energias y en la cosmologia, ofreciendonos, al tiempo que desarrolla sus originales tesis (que integra en la biologia evolutiva), una amplia vision de la fisica actual, desde los diagramas de Feynman hasta los universos burbuja.

At the beginning of the 21st century physics is being driven to very unfamiliar territory the domain of the incredibly small and the incredibly heavy The new world is a world in which both quantum mechanics and gravity are equally important But mysteries remain One of the biggest involved black holes Famed physicist Stephen Hawking claimed that anything sucked in a black hole was lost forever For three decades Leonard Susskind and Hawking clashed over the answer to this problem Finally in 2004 Hawking conceded THE BLACK HOLE WAR will explain the mind blowing science that finally won out and the emergence of a new paradigm that argues that the world your home your breakfast you is actually a hologram projected from the edges of space