Event Description:
On the evening of July 11th, Beijing time, Professor Anthony Zee, a famous contemporary Chinese physicist and popular science writer, will meet with readers at the Shanghai Modern Bookstore, where he will introduce his two original English books published in recent years: Quantum Field Theory, as Simply as Possible, and Fly by Night Physics: How Physicists Use the Backs of Envelopes, and open questions to interact with readers face-to-face around the two recent books. This is the first reader meeting of Professor Xu Yihong's original English works in China, welcome readers and friends who return to Park to leave your questions in the comment area or private message us, and your questions will be given priority to Professor Xu Yihong by the host. Those who visit in person will be able to purchase a new book signed by Professor Xu.
Quantum Field Theory, as Simply as Possible (2023.1) is Professor Xu Yihong's latest popular science work. So far, there are countless popular science books on quantum mechanics on the market, but it is difficult to find one that introduces quantum field theory, Professor Xu introduces readers from different professional backgrounds to quantum field theory in an easy-to-understand language, and helps readers touch the frontier of this field.
Fly by Night Physics (2020.10) is a physics textbook with a novel perspective, focusing on the training of "physical intuition". In this book, Professor Xu introduces how to use physical derivation and reasonable estimation to solve problems, so as to help students change their thinking and get out of the classroom "brushing questions" mode and enter the real physics research hall.
Time: 19:00-20:00, July 11, 2024, Beijing time
Venue: Modern Bookstore (Shanghai Jing An Kerry Centre, N4-05, L4/F, North District, Jing An Kerry Centre, 1515 West Nanjing Road)
Language: Chinese
To participate in offline activities, please go back and forth to the official account of Park to read the original article
Co-organizers: Popular Science China, Huipu, Princeton University Press
"Huipu" will be broadcast live online, welcome to make an appointment to watch it on the video account
Introduction of Professor Xu Yihong
Professor Xu Yihong is a well-known Chinese-American physicist, writer, and National Fellow of the United States of Sciences and Arts. He received his B.S. from Princeton University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University, and is currently a professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Professor Xu Yihong's research interests are very broad, including high-energy physics, field theory, cosmology, biophysics, condensed matter physics, mathematical physics, and many other fields. In addition to academic research, his physics textbooks and popular science books are also widely known, and have been adopted by many institutions of higher learning such as Princeton University, Harvard University, Stanford University, etc., benefiting academic researchers and science enthusiasts in Europe, America and even around the world.
Bibliography Introduction
Quantum Field Theory, as Simply as Possible
Quantum field theory is by far the most successful theory in physics, but it is also one of the most puzzling. This book provides a basic primer on the field and helps readers build a conceptual foundation on this most important topic in physics.
Quantum field theory originated in quantum mechanics in the late 30s of the 20th century and was developed by a generation of brilliant young theoretical physicists, including Julian Schwinger and Richard Feynman. Their predictions were experimentally verified with astonishing accuracy, unmatched by other theories of physics. Quantum field theory unifies quantum mechanics and special relativity, providing a framework for understanding quantum mysteries in the subatomic world. A unique and valuable primer for students and general readers, this book guides the reader from the classical concept of fields to the frontiers of modern quantum field theory, covering many topics, including antimatter, Feynman diagrams, virtual particles, path integrals, quantum chromodynamics, weak electric unity, grand unity, and quantum gravity.
Fly by Night Physics
In this book, Prof. Xu introduces physics students and researchers to how to use physical derivation and reasonable guessing to solve problems, which is suitable for senior physics undergraduates and any reader who wants to study advanced physics.
In a traditional physics classroom, students are always trying to master difficult and complex mathematical tools in order to perform accurate physical calculations. In this mode of learning, it seems that physics always consists of well-defined problems that can be solved by rigorous derivation steps. This false impression is also reinforced by standard physics textbooks, so that even the best students, when they begin their physics studies, find themselves unprepared for the challenges they face.
In fact, physics is full of all sorts of brief estimates, guesses of orders of magnitude, and jumping logic. This unique textbook is designed to help students change their mindset and move beyond the classroom "brushing questions" mode to the real temple of physics research. This book provides the necessary exercises to develop intuition in physics and covers exciting questions on cutting-edge topics in physics. From Hawking radiation to gravitational waves, Professor Xu will help students gain a deeper understanding of the equations they are learning and build confidence in their physical intuition.
Special Reminder
1. Enter the "Boutique Column" at the bottom menu of the "Huipu" WeChat official account to view a series of popular science articles on different themes.
2. "Back to Park" provides the function of searching for articles by month. Follow the official account and reply to the four-digit year + month, such as "1903", to get the article index in March 2019, and so on.