Paradox

The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics

Look inside
Paperback
$17.00 US
| $23.00 CAN
On sale Oct 23, 2012 | 256 Pages | 9780307986795
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
A fun and fascinating look at great scientific paradoxes.

Throughout history, scientists have come up with theories and ideas that just don't seem to make sense. These we call paradoxes. The paradoxes Al-Khalili offers are drawn chiefly from physics and astronomy and represent those that have stumped some of the finest minds. For example, how can a cat be both dead and alive at the same time?  Why will Achilles never beat a tortoise in a race, no matter how fast he runs? And how can a person be ten years older than his twin?

With elegant explanations that bring the reader inside the mind of those who've developed them, Al-Khalili helps us to see that, in fact, paradoxes can be solved if seen from the right angle. Just as surely as Al-Khalili narrates the enduring fascination of these classic paradoxes, he reveals their underlying logic. In doing so, he brings to life a select group of the most exciting concepts in human knowledge. Paradox is mind-expanding fun.
“Readers who enjoy mental challenges and scientific mysteries will have fun with Al-Khalili’s lighthearted, accessible discussion.” – Publishers Weekly

“A very interesting book with some nifty surprises.” – Booklist Online
Jim Al-Khalili OBE is an academic, author, and broadcaster. He is a leading theoretical physicist based at the University of Surrey, where he teaches and carries out research in quantum mechanics. He has written a number of popular science books, including Pathfinders: The Golden Age of Arabic Science. He has presented several television and radio documentaries, including the BAFTA-nominated Chemistry: A Volatile History and The Secret Life of Chaos. View titles by Jim Al-Khalili
Preface ix
1 The Game Show Paradox
2 Achilles and the Tortoise
3 Olbers’ Paradox
4 Maxwell’s Demon
5 The Pole in the Barn Paradox
6 The Paradox of the Twins
7 The Grandfather Paradox
8 The Paradox of Laplace’s Demon
9 The Paradox of Schrödinger’s Cat
10 Fermi’s Paradox
11 Remaining Questions
Acknowledgments
Index

About

A fun and fascinating look at great scientific paradoxes.

Throughout history, scientists have come up with theories and ideas that just don't seem to make sense. These we call paradoxes. The paradoxes Al-Khalili offers are drawn chiefly from physics and astronomy and represent those that have stumped some of the finest minds. For example, how can a cat be both dead and alive at the same time?  Why will Achilles never beat a tortoise in a race, no matter how fast he runs? And how can a person be ten years older than his twin?

With elegant explanations that bring the reader inside the mind of those who've developed them, Al-Khalili helps us to see that, in fact, paradoxes can be solved if seen from the right angle. Just as surely as Al-Khalili narrates the enduring fascination of these classic paradoxes, he reveals their underlying logic. In doing so, he brings to life a select group of the most exciting concepts in human knowledge. Paradox is mind-expanding fun.

Reviews

“Readers who enjoy mental challenges and scientific mysteries will have fun with Al-Khalili’s lighthearted, accessible discussion.” – Publishers Weekly

“A very interesting book with some nifty surprises.” – Booklist Online

Author

Jim Al-Khalili OBE is an academic, author, and broadcaster. He is a leading theoretical physicist based at the University of Surrey, where he teaches and carries out research in quantum mechanics. He has written a number of popular science books, including Pathfinders: The Golden Age of Arabic Science. He has presented several television and radio documentaries, including the BAFTA-nominated Chemistry: A Volatile History and The Secret Life of Chaos. View titles by Jim Al-Khalili

Table of Contents

Preface ix
1 The Game Show Paradox
2 Achilles and the Tortoise
3 Olbers’ Paradox
4 Maxwell’s Demon
5 The Pole in the Barn Paradox
6 The Paradox of the Twins
7 The Grandfather Paradox
8 The Paradox of Laplace’s Demon
9 The Paradox of Schrödinger’s Cat
10 Fermi’s Paradox
11 Remaining Questions
Acknowledgments
Index