1.1. What Quarks, Spacetime, and the Big Bang Isn’t

This book is not a comprehensive survey of all of physics. You’ll not be expected to solve many of the standard “physics class” problems—Quarks, Spacetime, and the Big Bang is mostly conceptual. Many topics which would be in a conventional course are not covered here. For example, there is no chapter on thermodynamics, nor rotational dynamics, nor energy production, or climate. Motion and forces are only considered for one-dimensional situations and only in enough detail in order to appreciate Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity. Electricity and magnetism are covered in a descriptive way, with only a few quantitative examples. “How things work” is sometimes touched, but less so than from the usual survey course.

We cut a strategic path through “classical” areas of physics in order to accumulate the concepts, quantities, and vocabulary that would apply to a conceptual appreciation of relativity and quantum mechanics, both of which are the jumping-off points to our two main topics.

Wait. Einstein’s theory? Quantum Mechanics?

Glad you asked. Sure. You’ll be surprised at how much relativity and quantum mechanics we can do with very simple mathematics. It will be challenging for you in the same way that’s it’s challenging for us – it kind of stresses your common sense. But not your mathematical skills.