The Evolution of Physics

by Albert Einstein

Paperback, 1967

Status

Available

Genres

Publication

Free Press (1967), Permabound

Description

Clear and concise explanations of the development of theories explaining physical phenomena.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Knud

As always, it's a delight to read Einstein's writings. I find this book especially useful in augmenting a course on the history of science. It's remarkable how well this book continues to stand up, and what an example it is for the development of science, and example that straddles the philosophies

of Kuhn and Popper.

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LibraryThing member mrminjares

The Evolution of Physics is a simple book written by Albert Einstein to introduce old and new theories of physics, from the classical physics created by Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei to the relativistic and probabilistic physics he and Neils Bohr invented. This book provides a very clear

description of the discovery of gravitational laws and why they were useful. It proceeds to explain weaknesses in these laws and why alternative theories were necessary. We learn that light has mass, and that metal rods traveling close to the speed of light grow smaller in size. We also learn that time is relative, and that clocks moving near the speed of light slow down. These descriptions of our physical world defy the imagination, but Einstein provides thoughtful visual stories to explain why they must be true. He supports these with observational and experimental evidence.

While this book makes difficult concepts easy to understand, it still gets dense at times, particularly on topics that relate to quantum physics. Still, this is an essential volume for any person interested in learning first-hand from one of history's most celebrated physicists. I would recommend this book to any curious mind.

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