Evolution of Physics

This book was written in 1938. Still it is worth reading for a better understanding on physics riddles. Authors explained in plane words without any mathematics why we were forced to change our way of thinking on physics. They began “Mechanical vs Field”, then, “Corpuscle vs Wave”, “Ether vs Relativity”, and finally “Continuum vs Quanta.” If a reader of the book had a basic introduction of science at University. He would agree that addition or subtraction should be limited within the same type of set. To our surprise, Relativity gives the “Space Time mixture.” I understand the intervening light velocity “c”, and also agree with the “Lorentz transformation.” If this mixture is OK, can I invent my “new” Lorentz transformation with my “new c’s” on, say, “Color and Pressure?” Of course NOT. But why? If Physics demands, would our basic logic be overridden? Einstein insisted that mass “m” is equivalent to “energy.” This is much more serious riddle. Mass defect on gluon has been discovered. Still I don’t have a clear image how this transformation would be realized. On “Quanta,” I still remain completely confused. Say, a physics teacher came in the class and taught me that my mountain was a beautiful meadow in summer sunshine, another guy came in and insisted that NO, NO. I had to go around the mountain and looked at it. It would be rocks, snow and ice precipice in winter storm. I hoped understand my mountain, and tried “meadow plus precipice and divide it by 2.” The result was ridiculous nonsense. Again our basic logic failed. In my young day, I noticed and bought the book, but left it on my shelf. Recently I found an article in which the book was said to be adopted as a textbook of the first year in physics department. I dear suggest the book is not perfectly suitable for fresh year students before they are given basic physics. Rather, after experience the advanced physics and even after understanding on relating mathematics, the students would have still uneasy feeling on riddles. They would try this book personally and secretly in their midnight study. After finishing the book, my fog on physics gets denser. Could you please, anybody, HELP MEEEE?

This book beautifully describes the idea behind Relativity (and other physical phenomenon) in such a way that anyone can understand it, regardless of your current knowledge in physics. Rather than using mathematical formulae and equations to describe how Relativity (and other laws) behaves, Infeld and Einstein bring you through a series of logical puzzles and thought experiments to explain to you how the theory of Relativity came about. You will then realize how this sort of logical thinking was paramount in creating some of the most important theories in modern physics. The clarity expressed in Einstein's thought process is fascinating, and will give you insight into how to breakdown complex problems into very simple and seemingly obvious pieces.

Good read and quality

Ne he leído totalmente el libro. Le puse 3 estrellas por la baja calidad del libro, lo compré en descuento y sólo así lo pagaría. Es una lástima sea tan pobre la impresión del libro siendo una verdadera joya de la divulgación científica escrita por un gigante de la física como Einstein.

A wonderful journey in the world of physics, from classical mechanics, through special relativity and general relativity, to quanta... Not a single equation... Just fundamental ideas and their interplay... On a conversational mode with no other than Einstein !