The Grand Design#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A whirlwind tour of fundamental physics and cosmology.”—The Wall Street Journal “Fascinating . . . a wealth of ideas [that] leave us with a clearer understanding of modern physics in all its invigorating complexity.”—Los Angeles Times When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent “grand design” of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion—or does science offer another explanation? In The Grand Design, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most illuminating scientific thinking about these and other abiding mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by brilliance and simplicity. According to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history. The authors explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the early universe and show how quantum theory predicts the “multiverse”—the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. They conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a “theory of everything”: the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, which, if confirmed, would represent the ultimate triumph of human reason. A succinct, startling, and lavishly illustrated guide to discoveries that are altering our understanding and threatening some of our most cherished belief systems, The Grand Design is a book that will inform—and provoke—like no other. |
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According anthropic principle apparent laws Aristotle Asymptotic freedom atoms baryons behave behavior believed big bang billion buckyballs called carbon century clock concept cosmological constant created describe determined distance double-slit experiment early universe earth Einstein electric and magnetic electrons elementary particle energy equations ether everyday example exist expanding explain Feynman diagrams Feynman sum force particles forces of nature fundamental galaxies gliders helium human idea infinities inflation interference large space dimensions laws of nature live squares M-theory mass and charge mathematical matter particles measure model-dependent realism molecules moving Newtonian nucleus objects observe orbits paths pattern physical law physicists picture planets possible histories predictions principle probability amplitude protons and neutrons quantum physics quantum theory quarks reality relativity renormalization scientific scientists slits solar system space-time speed of light stars string theory strong force supergravity supersymmetry tion verse wave wavelengths zero