Fearful Symmetry: The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics

by Anthony Zee, Roger Penrose (Foreword by)

Overview

An engaging exploration of beauty in physics, with a foreword by Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose

The concept of symmetry has widespread manifestations and many diverse applications—from architecture to mathematics to science. Yet, as twentieth-century physics has revealed, symmetry has a special, central role in nature, one that is occasionally and enigmatically violated. Fearful Symmetry brings the incredible discoveries of the juxtaposition of symmetry and asymmetry in contemporary physics within everyone's grasp. A. Zee, a distinguished physicist and skillful expositor, tells the exciting story of how contemporary theoretical physicists are following Einstein in their search for the beauty and simplicity of Nature. Animated by a sense of reverence and whimsy, Fearful Symmetry describes the majestic sweep and accomplishments of twentieth-century physics—one of the greatest chapters in the intellectual history of humankind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691173269
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	10/04/2016
Series:	Princeton Science Library , #48
Edition description:	New
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

A. Zee is professor of physics at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His books include Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell and Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell (both Princeton). Roger Penrose is a Nobel Prize–winning physicist and the bestselling author, with Stephen Hawking, of The Nature of Space and Time (Princeton). He is the Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics Emeritus at the University of Oxford.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Preface 1999 xv

Preface xvii

acknowledgements xix

I Symmetry and Design 1

1. In Search of Beauty 3

2. Symmetry and Simplicity 8

3. The Far Side of the Mirror 22

II Einstein's Legacy, 49

4. Marriage of Time and Space 51

5. A Happy Thought 76

6. Symmetry Dictates Design 95

III Into The Limelight 101

7. Where the action is not 103

8. The lady and the Tyger 113

9. Learning to Read the Great Book 122

10. Symmetry Triumphs 133

IV To Know His Thoughts 151

11. The Eightfold Path in the Forest of the Night 153

12. The Revenge of Art 185

13. The Ultimate Design Problem 210

14. The Unity of Forces 228

15. The Rise of Hubris 255

16. The Mind of the Creator 275

Afterword 285

Appendix to Chapter 9 297

Appendix to the Afterword 301

Notes 321

Index 345

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Fearful Symmetry tells the story of modern physics and contemporary physicists in a most understandable and vivid way. It makes the 'fearful' symmetry simple and accessible, and the burning tigers lively and human. An excellent rendition and an outstanding achievement."—T. D. Lee, Nobel Prize–winning physicist

"To a layman like myself, totally unversed in modern theoretical physics, Zee's book comes as an illumination. Once having grasped the idea of symmetry as an aesthetic and intellectual principle, I found myself, under his guidance, contemplating aspects of the design of the universe of which I never had the faintest glimmer."—John Rupert Martin, Marquand Professor of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University

"A small gem we can see deeply into with small effort and great pleasure."—Robert Schrieffer, Nobel Prize–winning physicist

Editorial Reviews

"[Zee] demonstrates effortless competence over a wide area of theoretical physics. He also displays great enthusiasm and excitement for his subject, which many readers will find infectious."—-James W. McAllister, ISIS

"It is most inspiring to read the book and to learn how physicists arrived at the formulation of such goals. It is written for anyone who is curious about all these fundamental particles our universe is made of and how they have evolved since this universe came into existence."—-Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society

From the Publisher