Nothingness : The Science of Empty Space

Nothingness addresses one of the most puzzling problems of physics and philosophy: Does empty space have an existence independent of the matter within it? Is "empty space" really empty, or is it an ocean seething with the creation and destruction of virtual matter? With crystal-clear prose and more than 100 cleverly rendered illustrations, physicist Henning Genz takes the reader from the metaphysical speculations of the ancient Greek philosophers, through the theories of Newton and the early experiments of his contemporaries, right up to the current theories of quantum physics and cosmology to give us the story of one of the most fundamental and puzzling areas of modern physics and philosophy. "This is a wonderful book on one of the most puzzling problems of physics and philosophy: Does empty space have an existence independent of the matter within it? Einstein thought not. In his universe, there can be no space without matter; but quantum physicist Werner Heisenberg's famous "uncertainty principle" allows for the spontaneous, though fleeting, creation and destruction of fundamental particles from empty space. As physicist Henning Genz shows, "empty space" is really not empty at all; in fact it is an ocean seething with the creation and destruction of subatomic particles. Through the use of crystal-clear prose and over a hundred cleverly rendered and exceptionally instructive illustrations, Genz takes the reader from the metaphysical speculations of the ancient Greek philosophers, through the theories of Newton and the early experiments of his contemporaries, right up to the latest theories of quantum physics and cosmology." "While some of man's ideas about the vacuum of outer space have been treated sporadically in other books, this is the first book for the nonscientist on a much neglected yet incredibly interesting segment of modern physics and timeless philosophy."--Jacket In Nothingness, noted physicist Henning Genz explores one of the most puzzling problems of physics and philosophy: Does empty space have an existence independent of the matter within it? As Genz shows, "empty space" is really not empty at all; in fact it is an ocean seething with the creation and destruction of subatomic particles. Through the use of crystal clear prose and over one hundred clear and instructive illustrations, Genz takes the reader from the metaphysical speculation of the ancient Greek philosophers, through the discoveries of Newton and the early experiments of his contemporaries, right up to the latest theories of quantum physics and cosmology. Nothingness is the perfect introduction on the startling complexities that have emerged from the void.

"I don't know of a better introduction to the basics of physics and cosmology."-Sterne und Weltraum (Stars and Space)

Astronomy

This is a book you definitely don't want to miss.

GREEK PHILOSOPHY STARTS WITH A DOUBLE NEGATION: IT DENIES THE concept of "nothing."