Brian Cox

The Quantum Universe

1. IDEA 1

   Quantum rules govern everything

   Cox and Forshaw explain that quantum mechanics is not just about tiny particles but underlies all matter. Without it, atoms, stars and computers could not be understood. Everyday things, from chemistry to magnets, rest on quantum rules.

2. IDEA 2

   Particles carry little clocks

   The authors explain quantum theory using tiny imaginary clocks attached to particles. Adding these clocks for every possible path gives the chance of finding a particle somewhere. The clock idea turns a difficult subject into a simple picture.

3. IDEA 3

   Particles try every path

   The authors explain that a particle effectively explores all possible routes between two points. The paths combine to produce what we observe. This sounds odd, but the idea matches what experiments show with remarkable accuracy.

All 8 ideas from The Quantum Universe →