Jim Al-Khalili is a British theoretical physicist and science communicator. He dedicates his work to making complex scientific topics accessible to the general public. Through his books and media appearances, he explores the fascinating world of physics and science, sparking curiosity and understanding in readers and viewers alike. His approach is known for its clarity and ability to connect scientific concepts with everyday life.
The book offers an accessible exploration of the Universe, guided by theoretical physicist Jim Al-Khalili. It simplifies complex concepts, allowing readers to grasp the intricacies of space and time without scientific jargon. This updated edition reflects the latest advancements in high energy astroparticle physics and big bang cosmology, featuring revised chapters on topics such as black holes and Einstein's theories. With a light-hearted approach, it invites readers to engage with the wonders of modern physics.
Introduced by Jim Al-Khalili Could you surf down an erupting volcano? Why do zebras have stripes? Are you breathing the same air as Leonardo da Vinci? Are there any green mammals? Why do pineapples have spikes? Why do songs get stuck in your head? What happens when black holes collide? Can you extract your DNA? New Scientist has been a treasure trove of fascinating and surprising questions and answers for over a decade. From how to measure the speed of light using chocolate, to why dogs howl at sirens, Eureka! brings together 365 mindblowing questions, fascinating facts and exciting experiments. If you've ever wondered how to escape quicksand, what would happen if the moon vanished, and why cats (nearly) always land on their feet, you've come to the right place.
Life is the most extraordinary phenomenon in the universe, yet its workings remain elusive. Despite advancements in cloning and synthetic biology, no one has created life from non-living materials. This raises the question: are we missing a crucial element in its creation? In a manner reminiscent of Richard Dawkins' influential work, this exploration shifts our understanding of life's dynamics by revealing quantum mechanics as the missing ingredient. Drawing on groundbreaking global experiments, the authors illustrate how photosynthesis depends on subatomic particles that exist in multiple places simultaneously. They also explain how enzymes, the essential catalysts in our cells, operate by having particles disappear from one location and reappear in another. Each chapter begins with a captivating example that poses a fundamental question about life—such as how migrating birds navigate or how we perceive scents—and then demonstrates how quantum mechanics provides the answers. The authors guide readers through the rapidly evolving field of quantum biology, highlighting its exciting discoveries and potential revolutionary applications. Ultimately, they delve into the profound question of what life truly is, inviting readers to engage with the mysteries that surround this extraordinary phenomenon.
Scale -- Space and time -- Energy and matter -- The quantum world -- Thermodynamics and the arrow of time -- Unification -- The future of physics -- The usefulness of physics -- Thinking like a physicist.
A myth-shattering view of the Islamic world's myriad scientific innovations and the role they played in sparking the European Renaissance. Many of the innovations that we think of as hallmarks of Western science had their roots in the Arab world of the middle ages, a period when much of Western Christendom lay in intellectual darkness. Jim al- Khalili, a leading British-Iraqi physicist, resurrects this lost chapter of history, and given current East-West tensions, his book could not be timelier. With transporting detail, al-Khalili places readers in the hothouses of the Arabic Enlightenment, shows how they led to Europe's cultural awakening, and poses the question: Why did the Islamic world enter its own dark age after such a dazzling flowering?
Part of the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES.- What is Gravity?- How does it work?- And why are there extreme gravitational environments? EXPLORE how gravity controls the shape of space and the passage of time itself, influencing the history and destiny of the entire Universe. IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN 'WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN.' Discover the vast and momentous effects of this profound force on the world around us. Written by celebrated physicist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili, Gravity is a fascinating and authoritative introduction to a phenomenon as familiar to us as breathing.
How can a cat be both dead and alive at the same time? Why will Achilles never beat a tortoise in a race, no matter how fast he runs? And how can a person be ten years older than their twin? Throughout history, scientists have been coming up with theories and ideas that just do not seem to make sense.
"For over 700 years the international language of science was Arabic. In Pathfinders, Jim al-Khalili celebrates the forgotten, inspiring pioneers who helped shape our understanding of the world during the golden age of Arabic science, including Iraqi physicist Ibn al-Haytham, who practised the modern scientific method over half a century before Bacon; al-Khwarizmi, the greatest mathematician of the medieval world; and Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, a Persian polymath to rival Leonardo da Vinci."--Publisher's description
