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Quantum Space

Loop Quantum Gravity and the Search for the Structure of Space, Time, and the Universe

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Quantum Space

Written by: Jim Baggott
Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
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Today we are blessed with two extraordinarily successful theories of physics. The first is Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, which describes the large-scale behavior of matter in a curved spacetime. The second is quantum mechanics. This theory describes the properties and behavior of matter and radiation at their smallest scales.

But, while they are both highly successful, these two structures leave a lot of important questions unanswered. They are also based on two different interpretations of space and time, and are, therefore, fundamentally incompatible. We have two descriptions, but as far as we know, we've only ever had one universe. What we need is a quantum theory of gravity.

Approaches to formulating such a theory have primarily followed two paths. One leads to String Theory, which has for long been fashionable, and about which much has been written. But String Theory has become mired in problems. Combining clear discussions of both quantum theory and general relativity, this book offers one of the first efforts to explain the new quantum theory of space and time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Jim Baggott (P)2019 Tantor Physics Science Mathematics Black Hole Astronomy Cosmology Space Time Physics

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After listening to Quantum Space, I became intrigued by my understanding that space is composed of a quantum fabric, and how loop quantum gravity (LQG) is a logical extension of quantum mechanics, finding the implications for the Big Bang, black holes and the nature of our universe fascinating.

That said, as a layman with no formal education in physics, I found much of the book was over my head and some of the explanations assumed a level of knowledge that I didn’t have.

This is very much about the combined efforts of Carlo Revelli and Lee Smolin, and I liked the biographical story about them that threads through the book. While some may find this a diversion from the science, I felt the story did an excellent job of explaining how these two people worked together to help develop a theory of LQG.

In summary, I recommend this book if you have a fair to good understanding of relativity and quantum mechanics, and want to dig deeper.

Fascinating look into the possible nature of space-time

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