craiglong20017
Deschutes Public Library
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Added Jun 09, 2023
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2023
The Biggest Ideas in the UniverseThe Biggest Ideas in the Universe, BookSpace, Time, and Motion
by Carroll, Sean M.Book - 2022Book, 2022
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2023
Comment:
One of the best "popular science" books I have ever read. Most popular science books on relativity ignore all the math behind the physics by giving you descriptions of the strange and wonderful world of relativity (our world, by the way). But they all assume you will never understand the math/equations behind those concepts, and you're left not really understanding WHY those descriptions are accurate.
This book is different; it attempts to give you all the background you need to understand Einstein's equations for general relativity (picking up special relativity along the way). It starts with some basic physics such as conservation of momentum and energy. It provides a quick tutorial on differential and integral calculus and a short tour of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics. Carroll discusses time and space and provides background in Minkowski and Riemann space, which requires matrix algebra and metrics and tensors. Once all that is done, he shows you how Einstein generated the equation for general relativity and what you can know just from examining that equation (note that you can't actually solve it, but you can learn a lot from what the equation looks like).
A quick caveat: I got an engineering degree (40 years ago!), so a good amount of the early parts of this book were more of a "refresher" than new info. Although his take on dynamics was different than the way I learned it and was pretty cool. I learned matrix algebra but never used it and have forgotten nearly all of it. I never learned about metrics and tensors, and I still don't really understand them, but Carroll provides enough info for you to limp along. When you get through the book, you won't be able to derive all the equations Carroll talks about, but you should be able to understand the form of those equations and what those equations are telling you.
The last few chapters were amazing; I've read many books describing what Einstein's equation tells us about gravity, but never have I had anyone explain the actual equation and show me how that implies black holes, gravitational lensing, the precession of Mercury's orbit, etc. And reading about the approach that Einstein took to generate his equation was mind blowing!
I really recommend this book to anyone who has read about, but not really understood, general relativity. IF you are willing to dig into a little math and maybe re-read a chapter here or a section of a chapter there.
Carroll is supposedly writing two more books; one about quantum mechanics (Quanta and Fields) and particle physics (Complexity and Emergence). Hopefully he is following the same approach he took with this book. I can't wait!One of the best "popular science" books I have ever read. Most popular science books on relativity ignore all the math behind the physics by giving you descriptions of the strange and wonderful world of relativity (our world, by the way). But they…
Added Jan 09, 2023
The Fifth RiskThe Fifth Risk, eBook
by Lewis, MichaeleBook - 2018eBook, 2018
All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Added Dec 17, 2022
Travels With CharleyTravels With Charley, eBookIn Search of America
by Steinbeck, JohneBook - 1986eBook, 1986
Added Dec 08, 2022
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Nov 13, 2022
Comment:
Really good plot full of twists and turns. However, the thinking and planning of these actions by a group of 7th or 8th graders certainly strains the imagination. Worth reading.
Math With Bad DrawingsMath With Bad Drawings, BookIlluminating the Ideas That Shape Our Reality
by Orlin, BenBook - 2018Book, 2018
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Nov 13, 2022
Comment:
This was a surprisingly good book. "Bad drawings" should more likely be "hilarious cartoons." The author is really funny. He explains mathematical concepts with great examples and often witty remarks. Loved it!
Added Nov 08, 2022
ExercisedExercised, eBookWhy Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding
by Lieberman, Daniel E.eBook - 2020eBook, 2020
All copies in use
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
Added Nov 08, 2022
Seven Brief Lessons on PhysicsSeven Brief Lessons on Physics, eBook
by Rovelli, CarloeBook - 2015eBook, 2015
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Nov 03, 2022
Comment:
Rovelli is a good writer (I've read many of his other books). This one is only for people who don't have the slightest idea what relativity or quantum mechanics are. It is well written, but very little detail. Hard to decide on a rating; it is well written but it had nothing new (to me, at least).Rovelli is a good writer (I've read many of his other books). This one is only for people who don't have the slightest idea what relativity or quantum mechanics are. It is well written, but very little detail. Hard to decide on a rating; it is well…
Added Oct 24, 2022
CorruptibleCorruptible, BookWho Gets Power and How It Changes Us
by Klaas, BrianBook - 2021Book, 2021
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Added Sep 26, 2022
Added Sep 25, 2022
Added Sep 22, 2022
My Name Is Lucy BartonMy Name Is Lucy Barton, eBook
by Strout, ElizabetheBook - 2016eBook, 2016
Available
Added Sep 13, 2022
Added Aug 06, 2022
Added Aug 06, 2022
craiglong20017's rating:
Added Jul 06, 2022
Reality Is Not What It SeemsReality Is Not What It Seems, BookThe Journey to Quantum Gravity
by Rovelli, CarloBook - 2017Book, 2017
Added Jul 06, 2022
Added Jun 01, 2022
A Confederacy of DuncesA Confederacy of Dunces, eBook
by Toole, John KennedyeBook - 1995eBook, 1995
All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Added Jun 01, 2022
How Emotions Are MadeHow Emotions Are Made, BookThe Secret Life of the Brain
by Barrett, Lisa FeldmanBook - 2017Book, 2017
Added May 05, 2022
Added Apr 12, 2022
Added Apr 12, 2022
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