Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

A poetic and accessible introduction to the most revolutionary ideas in modern physics, covering Einstein's general relativity, quantum mechanics, the architecture of the cosmos, elementary particles, quantum gravity, and the nature of time. Rovelli guides readers through the profound beauty and mystery of the physical world while reflecting on humanity's place in this strange, wonderful universe.

7 sections ยท 23 lessons

Course outline

Einstein's Revolution

  1. The Creative Genius
  2. The Most Beautiful Theory
  3. Curved Spacetime
  4. Time Bends Too
  5. Einstein's Revolution

Quantum Strangeness

  1. Energy in Packets
  2. The Measurement Problem
  3. Probability, Not Certainty
  4. Fields, Not Particles
  5. Quantum Strangeness

Cosmic Architecture

  1. Our Shrinking Centrality
  2. The Expanding Universe
  3. Cosmic Structure
  4. Cosmic Architecture

Building Blocks

  1. Matter's Ingredients
  2. The Four Forces
  3. The Standard Model
  4. Building Blocks

Quantum Gravity

  1. The Great Contradiction
  2. Loop Quantum Gravity
  3. Granular Space
  4. Quantum Gravity

Time and Heat

  1. Time's Illusion
  2. Entropy's Arrow
  3. Black Hole Thermodynamics
  4. Time and Heat

Our Place

  1. Made of Stars
  2. Consciousness in Nature
  3. Wonder and Doubt
  4. Our Place

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