
Bananaworld
Quantum Mechanics for Primates
Jeffrey Bub(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 15. March 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
290 pages
978-0-19-881784-0 (ISBN)
Description
What on earth do bananas have to do with quantum mechanics? From a modern perspective, quantum mechanics is about strangely counterintuitive correlations between separated systems, which can be exploited in feats like quantum teleportation, unbreakable cryptographic schemes, and computers with enormously enhanced computing power. Schrodinger coined the term "entanglement" to describe these bizarre correlations. Bananaworld -- an imaginary island with "entangled" bananas -- brings to life the fascinating discoveries of the new field of quantum information without the mathematical machinery of quantum mechanics. The connection with quantum correlations is fully explained in sections written for the non-physicist reader with a serious interest in understanding the mysteries of the quantum world. The result is a subversive but entertaining book that is accessible and interesting to a wide range of readers, with the novel thesis that quantum mechanics is about the structure of information. What we have discovered is that the possibilities for representing, manipulating, and communicating information are very different than we thought.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
24 b/w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
505 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-881784-0 (9780198817840)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
02/2016
Oxford University Press
€50.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Jeffrey Bub received his PhD in mathematical physics from the University of London, UK, in 1966, where he studied physics with David Bohm at Birkbeck College and took part in Karl Popper's seminar in philosophy of science at the London School of Economics, UK. His first book, The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (Reidel, 1974), was influential in developing the concept of quantum logic. His second book, 'Interpreting the "Quantum World"' (CUP, 1997; revised paperback edition, 1999), won the prestigious Lakatos Award in 1998. He is currently a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
Author
Distinguished University ProfessorDistinguished University Professor, Philosophy Department, University of Maryland
Content
1: Nobody Understands Quantum Mechanics
2: Qubits
3: Bananaworld
4: Really Random
5: Quantum Magic
6: Quantum Secrets
7: Quantum Feats
8: The Big Picture
9: Why the Quantum?
10: Making Sense of It All
2: Qubits
3: Bananaworld
4: Really Random
5: Quantum Magic
6: Quantum Secrets
7: Quantum Feats
8: The Big Picture
9: Why the Quantum?
10: Making Sense of It All