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This edition published in the UK and the USA in 2007 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP email: info@iconbooks.com www.introducingbooks.com Sold in the UK, Europe and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA or their agents Distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, Office B4, The District, 41 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock 7925 Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 Distributed in the USA by Publishers Group West, 1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada, 76 Stafford Street, Unit 300 Toronto, Ontario M6J 2S1 Previously published in the UK and Australia in 1996 under the title Quantum Theory for Beginners and in 1999 Introducing Quantum Theory ISBN: 978-184046-850-2 Text and illustrations copyright © 2013 Icon Books Ltd The author and artist have asserted their moral rights. Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed and bound in the UK by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc
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What is Quantum Theory? Quantum theory is the most successful set of ideas ever devised by human beings. It explains the periodic chart of the elements and why chemical reactions take place. It gives accurate predictions about the operation of lasers and microchips, the stability of DNA and how alpha particles tunnel out of the nucleus. CK<JAN1"UM 1"Hi::ORY IG NON- IN1"<Jf""f1Vi:: AN!/ l?i::Fli::G COMMON Gi::NGi::. Ri::ci::N1"J..Y, 11"G CONCi::P"TG HAVi:: ~i::i::N J..tt<i::Ni::I/ 1"0 i::AG-ri::RN PHIJ..OGOPHY AN!/ <JGi::I/ 1"0 PR~ 1"Hi:: Gi::CRi::1"G Of CONGCIOUGN~ 1 FRi::i:: WIJ..J.. AN!/ ·mi;: PARANORMAL.. CX<JAN1"UM 1"Hi::ORYHAG NWi::R FAIJ..i::I/. 11"G G1"R<JC1"<JRi:: HAG RWOJ..<J1"10NI~ HOW 1"Hi:: PHYGICAJ.. WORW tG vri::ww. Niels Bohr's presentation of quantum theory in 1927 remains today's orthodoxy. But Einstein's thought experiments in the 1930s questioned the theory's fundamental validity and are still debated today. Could he be right again? Is there something missing? Let's begin at the beginning . . . 3

This edition published in the UK and the USA in 2007 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre,

39–41 North Road,

London N7 9DP email: info@iconbooks.com www.introducingbooks.com

Sold in the UK, Europe and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd,

Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street,

London WC1B 3DA

or their agents

Distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, Office B4, The District,

41 Sir Lowry Road,

Woodstock 7925

Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065

Distributed in the USA by Publishers Group West, 1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada, 76 Stafford Street, Unit 300 Toronto, Ontario M6J 2S1

Previously published in the UK and Australia in 1996 under the title Quantum Theory for Beginners and in 1999 Introducing Quantum Theory

ISBN: 978-184046-850-2

Text and illustrations copyright © 2013 Icon Books Ltd

The author and artist have asserted their moral rights.

Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed and bound in the UK by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc

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