Einstein's Universe: Toys for the Elderly: Toys for the Elderly

Author: Xu Yihong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Gravity is the first topic students encounter when learning physics. Classical gravity has reached its peak with the development of general relativity, but the combination of gravity and quantum physics (quantum gravity) remains unfinished. The evolution of the universe is a topic of interest to many, and its relationship with gravity is extremely close, with physical problems from both areas intertwined. The secrets of gravity and the evolution of the universe still hold some profound mysteries. This book explains the content in layman's terms and attempts to delve deeply into the subject, helping readers understand why physical knowledge has developed in this way. The author is committed to showing readers how scientists, especially the great ones, think, making this book particularly inspiring. This is the author's second popular science book after The Elegant Universe became a bestseller. Originally titled The Toy of Primitive Humans, it was first published in 1989, revised with a preface by the author in 2000, and published in its second edition by Oxford University Press. Starting from gravity, it begins with Newton and moves on to Einstein, introducing the equivalence principle and the curvature of spacetime as the foundation of general relativity through the concept of "the toy of the old man." Then, it transitions from gravity to the expanding universe, the creation of matter, and the existence of dark matter. It then returns to gravity to discuss the combination of gravity and quantum theory, involving superstrings and membrane theory. Finally, it concludes with the question of the knowability of nature.