New Releases by Richard P. Feynman

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. Richard Feynman''s contribution examines the nature of antiparticles, and in particular the relationship between quantum spin and statistics. In his essay, Steven Weinberg speculates on how Einstein''s theory of gravitation might be reconciled with quantum theory in the final laws of physics. Both these Nobel laureates have made huge contributions to fundamental research in physics, as well as to the popularization of science. Anyone interested in the development of modern physics will find this a fascinating book.

En avril 1963, le prix Nobel de physique Richard P. Feynman est invité à l''université de Washington, à Seattle, pour donner des conférences sur les sujets généraux qui lui tiennent alors à coeur. On y retrouve ce théoricien de haut vol parlant de science bien sûr, mais surtout des rapports entre raison et foi religieuse, des soucoupes volantes, des phénomènes paranormaux, de la responsabilité des scientifiques face à l''humanité, de la confiance qu''on peut accorder aux hommes politiques. Derrière le scientifique perce le brillant causeur, le séducteur plein d''humour et de mordant, l''esprit libre. Voici donc, grâce à un document exceptionnel révélé pour la première fois au public français, Feynman tel qu''en lui-même. En toute liberté. Prix Nobel de physique Lauréat, en 1965, du prix Nobel de physique pour ses travaux sur l''électrodynamique quantique, Richard P. Feynman a aussi joué, alors qu''il était encore très jeune, un rôle important dans le projet Manhattan, pendant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Plus tard, il a contribué à expliquer le désastre de la navette américaine Challenger. À côté de ses travaux scientifiques majeurs - dont l''invention des fameux diagrammes qui ont révolutionné les modes de raisonnement et de calcul en physique -, il s''est aussi rendu célèbre pour ses dons de pédagogue.

No twentieth-century American scientist is better known to a wider spectrum of people than Richard P. Feynman (1918–1988)—physicist, teacher, author, and cultural icon. His autobiographies and biographies have been read and enjoyed by millions of readers around the world, while his wit and eccentricities have made him the subject of TV specials and even a theatrical film.The spectacular reception of the book and audio versions of Feynman''s Six Easy Pieces (published in 1995) resulted in a worldwide clamor for “More Feynman! More Feynman!” The outcome is these six additional lectures, drawn from the celebrated three-volume Lectures on Physics. Though slightly more challenging than the first six, these lectures are more focused, delving into the most revolutionary discovery in twentieth-century physics: Einstein''s Theory of Relativity.No single breakthrough in twentieth-century physics (with the possible exception of quantum mechanics) changed our view of the world more than that of Einstein''s discovery of relativity. The notions that the flow of time is not a constant, that the mass of an object depends on its velocity, and that the speed of light is a constant no matter what the motion of the observer, at first seemed shocking to scientists and laymen alike. But, as Feynman shows so clearly and so entertainingly in the lectures chosen for this volume, these crazy notions are no mere dry principles of physics, but are things of beauty and elegance. No one—not even Einstein himself—explained these difficult, anti-intuitive concepts more clearly, or with more verve and gusto, than Richard Feynman.

Covering the theory of computation, information and communications, the physical aspects of computation, and the physical limits of computers, this text is based on the notes taken by one of its editors, Tony Hey, on a lecture course on computation given b

Based upon a course taught by Feynman on the principles of gravitation at Cal. Tech, this series of lectures discusses gravitation in all its aspects. The author''s approach is very direct, a trademark of his work and lecture style.

Analyzes the theoretical questions related to electron and photon interactions at high energies.

Presents six of the easiest chapters from the Nobel Prize winner''s celebrated text Lectures in Physics, originally published in 1963, which comprised the lectures he prepared for undergraduate students at Caltech in the early 1960s. Addressing key topics in largely qualitative terms without formal mathematics, the six selections discuss atoms in motion, basic physics, the relation of physics to other sciences, conservation of energy, the theory of gravitation, and quantum behavior.

A series of classic lectures, delivered in 1960 and recorded for the BBC. This is Feynman''s unique take on the problems and puzzles that lie at the heart of physical theory - with Newton''s Law of Gravitation; on whether time can ever go backwards; on maths as the supreme language of nature. Demonstrates Feynman''s knack of finding the right everyday illustration to bring out the essence of a complicated principle - eg brilliant analogy between the law of conservation energy and the problem of drying yourself with wet towels. ''Feynman''s style inspired a generation of scientists. This volume remains the best record I know of his exhilarating vision'' - Paul Davies

Feynman treats the concept of amplitude in special detail, discusses relativity, and then moves on to quantum electrodynamics, which takes up most of this volume.