Most Popular Books by Steven Weinberg

The Nobel Prize-winning physicist and bestselling author of The First Three Minutes describes the grand quest for a unifying theory of nature--one that can explain forces as different as the cohesion inside the atom and the gravitational tug between the sun and Earth. Wirting with dazzling elegance and clarity, he retraces the steps that have led modern scientists from relativity and quantum mechanics to the notion of super-strings and the idea that our universe may coexist with others. But Weinberg asks as many questions as he answers, among them: Why does each explanation of the way nature works point to other, deeper explanations? Why are the best theories not only logical but beautiful? And what implications will a final theory have for our philosophy and religious faith? Intellectually daring, rich in anecdote and aphorism, Dreams of a Final Theory launches us into a new cosmos and helps us make sense of what we find there.

Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg combines his exceptional physical insight with his gift for clear exposition to provide a concise introduction to modern quantum mechanics. Ideally suited to a one-year graduate course, this textbook is also a useful reference for researchers. Readers are introduced to the subject through a review of the history of quantum mechanics and an account of classic solutions of the Schrödinger equation, before quantum mechanics is developed in a modern Hilbert space approach. The textbook covers many topics not often found in other books on the subject, including alternatives to the Copenhagen interpretation, Bloch waves and band structure, the Wigner–Eckart theorem, magic numbers, isospin symmetry, the Dirac theory of constrained canonical systems, general scattering theory, the optical theorem, the ''in-in'' formalism, the Berry phase, Landau levels, entanglement and quantum computing. Problems are included at the ends of chapters, with solutions available for instructors at www.cambridge.org/9781107028722.

The Nobel Prize–winner shares “a masterful journey through humankind’s scientific coming-of-age” from the Greeks to modern times (Brian Greene). In this rich, irreverent, and compelling history, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg takes us across centuries of human striving to unravel the mysteries of the world. This sweeping saga ranges from ancient Miletus to medieval Baghdad and Oxford, from Plato’s Academy and the Museum of Alexandria to the cathedral school of Chartres and the Royal Society of London. Weinberg shows that, while the scientists of ancient and medieval times lack our understanding of the world, they also lacked the knowledge, tools, and intellectual framework necessary to go about understand it. Yet over the centuries, through the struggle to solve such mysteries as the curious backward movement of the planets and the rise and fall of the tides, the modern discipline of science eventually emerged. An illuminating exploration of the way we consider and analyze the world around us, To Explain the World is a sweeping, ambitious account of how difficult it was to discover the goals and methods of modern science, and the impact of this discovery on human knowledge and development.

This book is unique in the detailed, self-contained, and comprehensive treatment that it gives to the ideas and formulas that are used and tested in modern cosmological research. It divides into two parts, each of which provides enough material for a one-semester graduate course. The first part deals chiefly with the isotropic and homogeneous average universe; the second part concentrates on the departures from the average universe. Throughout the book the author presents detailed analytic calculations of cosmological phenomena, rather than just report results obtained elsewhere by numerical computation. The book is up to date, and gives detailed accounts of topics such as recombination, microwave background polarization, leptogenesis, gravitational lensing, structure formation, and multifield inflation, that are usually treated superficially if at all in treatises on cosmology. Copious references to current research literature are supplied. Appendices include a brief introduction to general relativity, and a detailed derivation of the Boltzmann equation for photons and neutrinos used in calculations of cosmological evolution. Also provided is an assortment of problems.

In this absorbing commentary on the discovery of the atom''s constituents, Steven Weinberg accomplishes a brilliant fusion of history and science. This is in effect two books, cleverly interwoven. One is an account of a sequence of key events in the physics of the twentieth century, events that led to the discoveries of the electron, proton and neutron. The other is an introduction to those fundamentals of classical physics that played crucial roles in these discoveries. Physical concepts are introduced where needed to understand the historical story, and each new concept builds on physics already explained. Throughout the book, connections are shown between the historic discoveries of subatomic particles and work today at the frontiers of physics. A final chapter describes the discoveries of new elementary particles up to the present day.

Each of these essays, which span 15 years, struggles in one way or another with the necessity of facing up to the discovery that the laws of nature are impersonal, with no hint of a special status for human beings.

Lectures on Astrophysics provides an account of classic and contemporary aspects of astrophysics, with an emphasis on analytic calculations and physical understanding. It introduces fundamental topics in astrophysics, including the properties of single and binary stars, the phenomena associated with interstellar matter, and the structure of galaxies. Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg combines exceptional physical insight with his gift for clear exposition to cover exciting recent developments and new results. Emphasizing theoretical results, and explaining their derivation and application, this book provides an invaluable resource for physics and astronomy students and researchers.

A Nobel Prize-winning physicist explains what happened at the very beginning of the universe, and how we know, in this popular science classic. Our universe has been growing for nearly 14 billion years. But almost everything about it, from the elements that forged stars, planets, and lifeforms, to the fundamental forces of physics, can be traced back to what happened in just the first three minutes of its existence. In this book, Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg describes in wonderful detail what happened in these first three minutes. It is an exhilarating journey that begins with the Planck Epoch - the earliest period of time in the history of the universe - and goes through Einstein''s Theory of Relativity, the Hubble Red Shift, and the detection of the Cosmic Microwave Background. These incredible discoveries all form the foundation for what we now understand as the "standard model" of the origin of the universe. The First Three Minutes examines not only what this model looks like, but also tells the exciting story of the bold thinkers who put it together. Clearly and accessibly written, The First Three Minutes is a modern-day classic, an unsurpassed explanation of where it is that everything really comes from.

Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg explains the foundations of modern physics in historical context for undergraduates and beyond.

Just as Henry David Thoreau “traveled a great deal in Concord,” Nobel Prize–winning physicist Steven Weinberg sees much of the world from the window of his study overlooking Lake Austin. In Lake Views Weinberg, considered by many to be the preeminent theoretical physicist alive today, continues the wide-ranging reflections that have also earned him a reputation as, in the words of New York Times reporter James Glanz, “a powerful writer of prose that can illuminate—and sting.” This collection presents Weinberg’s views on topics ranging from problems of cosmology to assorted world issues—military, political, and religious. Even as he moves beyond the bounds of science, each essay reflects his experience as a theoretical physicist. And as in the celebrated Facing Up, the essays express a viewpoint that is rationalist, reductionist, realist, and secular. A new introduction precedes each essay, explaining how it came to be written and bringing it up to date where necessary. As an essayist, Weinberg insists on seeing things as they are, without despair and with good humor. Sure to provoke his readers—postmodern cultural critics, enthusiasts for manned space flight or missile defense, economic conservatives, sociologists of science, anti-Zionists, and religious zealots—this book nonetheless offers the pleasure of a sustained encounter with one of the most interesting scientific minds of our time.

A leading physicist delves into relativity and experimental applications Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity offers a Nobel laureate''s perspectives on the wealth of data technological developments have brought to expand upon Einstein''s theory. Unique in basing relativity on the Principle of Equivalence of Gravitation and Inertia over Riemannian geometry, this book explores relativity experiments and observational cosmology to provide a sound foundation upon which analyses can be made. Covering special and general relativity, tensor analysis, gravitation, curvature, and more, this book provides an engaging, insightful introduction to the forces that shape the universe.

A comprehensive introduction to quantum field theory by Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg, first published in 1996.

In this second volume of The Quantum Theory of Fields, available for the first time in paperback, Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg continues his masterly expoistion of quantum theory. Volume 2 provides an up-to-date and self-contained account of the methods of quantum field theory, and how they have led to an understanding of the weak, strong, and electromagnetic interactions of the elementary particles. The presentation of modern mathematical methods is throughout interwoven with accounts of the problems of elementary particle physics and condensed matter physics to which they have been applied. Exercises are included at the end of each chapter.

Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg continues his masterly exposition of quantum field theory. This third volume of The Quantum Theory of Fields presents a self-contained, up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to supersymmetry, a highly active area of theoretical physics that is likely to be at the center of future progress in the physics of elementary particles and gravitation. The text introduces and explains a broad range of topics, including supersymmetric algebras, supersymmetric field theories, extended supersymmetry, supergraphs, nonperturbative results, theories of supersymmetry in higher dimensions, and supergravity. A thorough review is given of the phenomenological implications of supersymmetry, including theories of both gauge and gravitationally-mediated supersymmetry breaking. Also provided is an introduction to mathematical techniques, based on holomorphy and duality, that have proved so fruitful in recent developments. This book contains much material not found in other books on supersymmetry, some of it published here for the first time. Problems are included.

Perhaps the two most important conceptual breakthroughs in twentieth century physics are relativity and quantum mechanics. Developing a theory that combines the two seamlessly is a difficult and ongoing challenge. This accessible book contains intriguing explorations of this theme by the distinguished physicists Richard Feynman and Steven Weinberg.

*FEATURED ON THE TODAY SHOW AS A "GREAT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAYS"* *Named one of Parents Magazine''s Best Board Books of 2021!* *Don''t miss out on the other Big Jobs books - Dishwasher''s Big Job and Fridge and Oven''s Big Job!* Filled with fun facts, giggles galore, and googly eyes, the Big Jobs board books are the perfect introduction for babies and toddlers to the big world around them, starting at home! With vibrant artwork and clever humor, this original board book series is a celebration of childhood curiosity and the most captivating topic of all--household appliances! In Washer & Dryer''s Big Job, follow along as these amazing appliances show us how your dirty clothes get clean. From sudsing up your smelly socks, stained sweater, and pancake-covered pj’s, to getting them cozy and dry, Washer and Dryer have a big job to do—but so do you! Learn how it’s all done in this rollicking read-aloud that will delight parents and kids alike.

*FEATURED ON THE TODAY SHOW AS A "GREAT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAYS"* *Don''t miss out on the other Big Jobs books - Washer and Dryer''s Big Job and Fridge and Oven''s Big Job!* Filled with fun facts, giggles galore, and googly eyes, the Big Jobs board books are the perfect introduction for babies and toddlers to the big world around them, starting at home! With vibrant artwork and clever humor, this original board book series is a celebration of childhood curiosity and the most captivating topic of all--household appliances! In Dishwasher''s Big Job, follow along as this amazing appliance shows us how your dirty dishes get clean. Dishwasher has a big job to do taking your sloppy spoon, bedraggled bowl, and spilled sippy cup from soiled to sparkling—but so do you! Learn how it’s all done in this rollicking read-aloud that will delight parents and kids alike.

In this zany and vibrantly illustrated nonfiction guide to all things color, the origins of today''s pigments come alive across continents and history, with oodles of art, tons of science--and extensive interactive backmatter! So what is color? A red apple? A yellow banana? The purple goo from a squished sea snail? Once you start digging, color turns out to be a lot of things--it’s messy, stinky, and even a little bit dangerous. You may already know that it’s art, but it’s science, too! What Is Color? will take readers all over the world, introducing them to talented, brilliant, creative people from scientists to famous artists and everyone in between as we take the color wheel for a spin. Perfect for curious and creative minds who love paintbrushes as much as microscopes, this clever and eye-catching full-color nonfiction book dives deep into the strange, wacky, silly, and occasionally perilous history behind the colors that paint our everyday lives. Readers will get: • A laugh-out-loud funny adventure full of gross-out facts (like how cow pee can be used to make the color yellow!). • Hilarious illustrations that encourage creativity and fun while learning! • A kid-friendly primer on global art history, from Yayoi Kusama to Van Gogh, Basquiat, and many more. • A dazzling full-color book, with rainbow edges and vibrant info-filled endpapers. • Extensive backmatter with a glossary plus art and science activities perfect for the classroom and home!

Join a rambunctious T. rex as he journeys across the prehistoric landscape to save the one object he loves—and maybe more—in this boisterous picture book adventure for the youngest dinosaur fans! Rex finds an…Egg. Egg! Egg!! But there’s a volcano that’s about to blow. Blow? Blow!! Can this young dinosaur save his glorious new prize? Find out in this creative, cretaceous romp!

A wood-working beaver is looking for companionship in this sweet picture book about loneliness, finding friendship in unexpected places, and plaid—lots and lots of plaid. Fred the beaver has just finished building a den. But not just any den. His DREAM DEN. The problem is, it’s missing one small thing…a friend! And he finds exactly that in Sophia, a spectacular lumberjack who has excellent woodworking skills and is building her own dream den. But when Fred tries to say hi, disaster strikes and Sophia’s den is ruined. How can Fred salvage this friendship? Is he doomed to live a life alone?

Un impresionante relato de lo difícil que fue descubrir los objetivos y métodos de la ciencia moderna, y el impacto que ese descubrimiento tuvo en el conocimiento y desarrollo humanos. Por el premio Nobel de Física Steven Weinberg. «El libro de ciencia más relevante de los últimos diez años. Uno de los grandes físicos teóricos contemporáneos narra su visión del origen y laevolución de nuestra forma de comprender el mundo. Una invitación a pensar como solo han pensado los grandes.» Javier Sampedro En esta historia de la ciencia, tan irreverente como ambiciosa, Steven Weinberg nos conduce a través de los siglos desde la antigua Mileto hasta el Bagdad medieval y Oxford, desde la Academia de Platón y el Museo de Alejandría hasta la escuela de la Catedral de Chartres y laSociedad Real de Londres. El autor nos traslada a la mente de los científicos de la Antigüedad y la Edad Media para mostrarnos cómo ellos no solo no entendían lo que nosotros ya entendemos del mundo; en realidad, tampoco sabían qué era lo que había que entender, ni por supuesto cómo entenderlo. Sin embargo, a raíz de la lucha por resolver misterios tales como el curioso movimiento de los planetas y la subida y bajada de las mareas, finalmente emergió la disciplina de la ciencia moderna, con sus objetivos y sus métodos. Weinberg examina los enfrentamientos y las colaboraciones que, a lo largo de ese tortuoso pero fascinante camino se dieron entre la ciencia histórica y esferas competencia de la religión, la tecnología, las matemáticas, la filosofía y la poesía. La crítica ha dicho... «Es una obra apasionante que nos invita a pensar como han pensado las grandes mentes del pasado.» GEO «Más de un lector pensará que se trata de un recorrido por la historia conocido y puede que ya transitado pero el secreto está, como en todo buen viaje, en la vista del guía que dirige nuestro pasos.» Luis Quevedo, El Mundo «Este premio Nobel de Física nos relata la historia de la ciencia de un modo apasionante. Es el mejor libro de divulgación científica en muchos años.» Tiempo «Un impresionante relato de lo difícil que fue descubrir los objetivos ymétodos de la ciencia moderna, y el impacto que ese descubrimiento tuvo en el conocimiento y desarrollo humanos.» Que Leer «Un magnífico modo de volvernos a preguntar por qué hemos llegado hasta aquí.» El Cultural, El Mundo «Abordar la historiadel pensamiento científico es algo que pocos podrían resolver como lo ha hecho Weinberg en este libro.» Forbes «Este libro convierte el metal base de una simple historia de la ciencia en oro puro, en una celebración magistral de la larga y heroica lucha -aun incompleta- por entender la naturaleza. Solo un científico comprometido y de la brillantez de Steven Weinberg podía lograr esto.» Ian McEwan «Cuenta una historia rica y significativa sobre el nacimiento de la ciencia.» Sam Kean, El Cultural «Weinberg ha combinado sus credenciales con su dominio de la historia de la ciencia para examinar un tema fascinante: cómo los intentos de explicar el mundo han evolucionado con el tiempo. Sencillo y claro, incluye ideas reveladoras.» BBC «Una magnífica contribución a la historia y la filosofía de la ciencia. El relato es fascinante, y Weinberg escribe con brío y claridad.» The Times Literary Supplement

De Aristóteles a Isaac Newton, Nobel de Física conta a história da ciência de forma leve e acessível. Nesta história envolvente e reveladora, Steven Weinberg, vencedor do Nobel de Física em 1979, guia o leitor através dos séculos da história da ciência, da Grécia Antiga à Bagdá Medieval, da Academia de Platão à Royal Society. Aristóteles, Descartes, Kepler, Copérnico, Galileu e Isaac Newton são alguns dos protagonistas deste enredo armado com leveza e humor – sem a menor cerimônia, o autor faz um acerto de contas com as contribuições de cada um deles. Weinberg demonstra de forma magistral como a emergência do moderno método científico é em si uma descoberta. Para explicar o mundo retraça esse processo com fôlego e precisão inéditos – assim como o impacto imensurável dessa busca pelo conhecimento humano.

Esta obra maestra de divulgación científica, traducida a más de veinte idiomas, cuenta cómo en un incierto momento, hace diez mil millones de años, se produjo una gigantesca explosión en todo el espacio cuya elevada temperatura sólo permitiría la existencia de partículas elementales que originaría una sopa indiferenciada de materia y radiación, cuyo enfriamiento habría de posibilitar la constitución de núcleos complejos que darían como resultado la formación de las galaxias y las estrellas. STEVEN WEINBERG, profesor en las universidades de Columbia, Berkeley, M.I.T., Harvard y Austin, miembro de distintas Academias y Premio Nobel de Física en 1979 por su contribución al establecimiento del modelo electrodébil, es un conocido activista por el racionalismo y contra la religión, defensor del materialismo científico y enemigo de-clarado del relativismo cultural y el constructivismo.

Steven Weinberg, premio Nobel de Física por su contribución a la unificación de dos de las fuerzas básicas de la naturaleza -la fuerza débil y el electromagnetismo-, aborda en este libro la gran aventura intelectual de nuestro tiempo: la búsqueda de una "teoría final", aquella en la que todas las preguntas fundamentales hallarían respuesta sin requerir una explicación en términos de otros principios. Weinberg, que no sólo es un gran físico sino un excelente divulgador, nos explica de manera llana y comprensible la idea de esta "teoría final", los pasos que han conducido hacia ella y los obstáculos que encuentra, dejándonos en la frontera de esa tierra prometida.

El cientifico brillante y el escritor provocador se dan cita en este libro de Steven Weinberg, donde este ganador del premio Nobel cultiva sus principales pasiones: la fisica teorica y un conocimiento profundo de la cultura, la filosofia, la historia y la politica de la ciencia.Cada uno de los ensayos que conforman el volumen, que abarcan un periodo de quince anos, trata de un modo u otro la necesidad de hacer frente al descubrimiento de que las leyes de la naturaleza son impersonales, sin indicio alguno de un estatus especial para los seres humanos. Al defender el espiritu de la ciencia frente a sus adversarias culturales, estos textos expresan un punto de vista reduccionista, realista y completamente secular. En conjunto, permiten a todo tipo de lectores el placer unico de experimentar la brillantez del sentido comun, la lucidez y los conocimientos de una de las mentes cientificas mas interesantes y convincentes de nuestra epoca.En una resena del New York Times, James Glanz comento: "Steven Weinberg es quiza el defensor de mayor autoridad mundial respecto a la idea de que la fisica esta avanzando con rapidez hacia una "teoria final," una explicacion completa de la particulas y fuerzas de la naturaleza que perdurara para siempre como base de toda ciencia. Es tambien un habil prosista capaz de ilustrar a la vez que provoca controversia." Weinberg recibio recientemente el Premio Lewis Thomas, concedido al investigador que mejor encarna al "cientifico como poeta""

Depuis l''invention des religions monothéistes, l''humanité poursuit le rêve d''une théorie ultime, d''une loi unique. Un plaidoyer pour la science lourde, dont l''auteur, prix Nobel de physique en 1979, espère un jour conjurer le déclin.

In The Quantum Theory of Fields, Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg combines his exceptional physical insight with his gift for clear exposition to provide a self-contained, comprehensive, and up-to-date introduction to quantum field theory. This is a two-volume work. Volume I introduces the foundations of quantum field theory. The development is fresh and logical throughout, with each step carefully motivated by what has gone before, and emphasizing the reasons why such a theory should describe nature. After a brief historical outline, the book begins anew with the principles about which we are most certain, relativity and quantum mechanics, and the properties of particles that follow from these principles. Quantum field theory emerges from this as a natural consequence. The author presents the classic calculations of quantum electrodynamics in a thoroughly modern way, showing the use of path integrals and dimensional regularization. His account of renormalization theory reflects the changes in our view of quantum field theory since the advent of effective field theories. The book''s scope extends beyond quantum electrodynamics to elementary particle physics, and nuclear physics. It contains much original material, and is peppered with examples and insights drawn from the author''s experience as a leader of elementary particle research. Problems are included at the end of each chapter. This work will be an invaluable reference for all physicists and mathematicians who use quantum field theory, and it is also appropriate as a textbook for graduate students in this area.

This is the third in a series of volumes of essays by Steven Weinberg, the previous two having also been published by HUP (Facing Up in 2001, and Lake Views in 2010). Weinberg, recipient of the Nobel Prize (1979) with Abdus Shalam and Sheldon Glashow for their contributions to the electroweak unification theory, is well known not only for his groundbreaking work in physics, but also for his efforts in popularizing science and the history of science, and for his stances on various matters in politics, public policy, and religion. This volume, like the previous two, runs a wide gamut, from the cosmological to the personal. Specific topics include particle physics, quantum mechanics, astronomy, big science, the history of science, space flight, science funding, the limits of current knowledge, and several other subjects ranging from the art of discovery to being wrong. Nearly all of the work included here, again as with the previous two volumes, has been previously published. The author has added introductions to the volume as a whole and to each essay, putting the material in context and adding further explanation where necessary. He has also added a number of explanatory notes.--