Understanding the Universe

Contents

Author ............................................................................................................... xiii

Chapter 1 Quasars to Quarks.................................................................................1

Chapter 2 The Physical World...............................................................................7

PART I The Small-Scale Universe

Chapter 3 Quantized Energy................................................................................25

Chapter 4 Quantum Uncertainty.......................................................................... 37

Chapter 5 Atoms.................................................................................................. 45

Chapter 6 Nuclei.................................................................................................. 53

Chapter 7 Particles...............................................................................................63

PART II The Large-Scale Universe

Chapter 8 Observing the Universe....................................................................... 73

Chapter 9 The Expanding Universe..................................................................... 91

Chapter 10 The Cooling Universe....................................................................... 107

PART III Universal Processes

Chapter 11 Electromagnetic Interactions............................................................. 115

Chapter 12 Strong Interactions............................................................................ 123

Chapter 13 Weak Interactions.............................................................................. 129

Chapter 14 Gravitational Interactions.................................................................. 135

Chapter 15 Unified Theories................................................................................ 147

PART IV The Universe through Time

Chapter 16 The History of the Universe.............................................................. 157

Chapter 17 The Universe Today.......................................................................... 171

Chapter 18 The Future of the Universe................................................................207

Book Summary..................................................................................................... 221

Acknowledgements................................................................................................223

Appendix: A Timeline for Understanding the Universe...................................225

Index.......................................................................................................................229