Understanding the Universe The Physics of the Cosmos from Quasars to Quarks

Understanding the Universe: The Physics of the Cosmos from Quasars to Quarks explores how all areas of physics, from the very smallest scales to the very largest, come together to form our current understanding of the Universe. It takes readers on a fascinating journey, from the Big Bang and how the Universe has evolved, to how it appears now, and the possibilities for how it will continue to evolve in the future.

It also explores the latest exciting developments in the area and how they impact our understanding of the Universe, such as quantum chromodynamics, black holes, dark energy, and gravitational waves. Equally importantly, it explains how we have come to know all of this about the Universe and details the limitations of our current understanding.

This book is accessible to all introductory undergraduate students interested in the physical sciences. It prioritises a non-mathematical approach so it can be understood by all students, with only two algebraic equations in the book and any numerical calculations shown are limited to simple arithmetic.

Key Features:

• Combines current understanding of quantum physics and cosmology, and includes the latest exciting developments from the field.
• Provides an accessible introduction to the topic, focusing on a non-mathematical presentation.
• Presents a comprehensive narrative on the subject and a coherent story.

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

Andrew Norton is Professor of Astrophysics Education in the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University and is a former vice president of the Royal Astronomical Society. He earned his PhD in X-ray astronomy from Leicester University working on interacting compact binary stars. His current research focusses on time domain astrophysics from large-scale photometric surveys, including variable stars and transiting exoplanets. In his role as an educator at the Open University, he has taught many areas of physics, exoplanetary science, stellar astrophysics, accretion physics, theoretical and observational cosmology, extragalactic astrophysics, and practical observational astronomy using optical and radio telescopes. He has been academic consultant for several OU/BBC TV co-productions and was co-author of the OU’s “60 second adventures in astronomy” videos. He has an Erdos-Bacon-Sabbath number of 13.