Looking for the best quantum physics books? I’ve got you covered.
The list below includes excellent books on quantum theory for beginners, intermediates, and experts.
Top 5 Quantum Physics Books
1. Quantum Physics and the Power of the Mind by Nancy Patterson
Quantum physics is integral in our lives, and it’s vitally important we have some fundamental knowledge of the subject.
This quantum physics book offers a simple guide to understanding the basic concepts, including the quantum origins of the universe, fundamentals of quantum physics, and the photoelectric effect.
What’s in it for you:
- An excellent guide to understanding the most groundbreaking and mysterious rules that govern the universe
2. Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution by Lee Smolin
In Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution, Lee Smolin bravely argues that the problems that have plagued quantum physics from its beginning are unsolvable because the theory is incomplete.
Smolin delves deep into the basics of quantum physics and wrestles with its puzzles and problems.
Along the way, he highlights existing theories that might solve these challenges and guides you toward a vision of the quantum that accepts common sense realism.
What’s in it for you:
- A quantum physics book that moves one step closer to resolving one of the greatest scientific controversies
3. Quantum Physics for Beginners by Carl J. Pratt
One of the best quantum physics books for beginners, this book presents a comprehensive and clear introduction to the topic.
It covers several topics, including the wave-particle duality dilemma, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, Schrodinger’s equation, and an introduction to string theory.
What’s in it for you:
- Learn the basics of quantum physics without feeling overwhelmed by the complex maths
4. The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
In The Elegant Universe, Brian Greene explores the mystery surrounding string theory to uncover a universe with 11 dimensions.
Greene narrates the human struggle and scientific story behind the 20th-century physics search for a theory of everything.
He also simplifies some of the most complex concepts ever contemplated, bringing us closer to understanding the workings of the universe.
What’s in it for you:
- A compelling, thought-provoking journey through the mysteries of time, space, and matter
5. The God Equation by Michio Kaku
The God Equation explains the creation of the universe and the intense controversy surrounding this theory.
Narrating a gripping, captivating story, Michio Kaku argues that what’s at stake is our conception of the universe.
What’s in it for you:
- An epic story of the greatest quest in science
Other Best Quantum Physics Books
6. Beyond Weird by Philip Ball
Beyond Weird explores what quantum physics means and what it doesn’t.
Philip Ball offers a contemporary account of the quest to understand the most basic theory of physical reality and explain the way its counterintuitive principles underpin our world.
What’s in it for you:
- A quantum physics book that takes you on an exhilarating tour of the current quantum landscape
7. Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll
In Something Deeply Hidden, Sean Carroll shows that confronting the puzzle of quantum mechanics completely transforms how we think about space and time.
Arguing that physics has been facing a crisis since 1927, Carroll puts his reputation on the line by signaling the end of the crisis with this audacious book.
He reconciles quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity—which changes everything.
What’s in it for you:
- A quantum physics book that offers a new understanding of our world—of where we are in the cosmos and what we’re made of
8. Reality Is Not What It Seems by Carlo Rovelli
In this book, Carlo Rovelli shows you how our understanding of reality has transformed over time and how physicists currently think about the universe’s structure.
Rovelli takes you on a compelling journey through time and shows how our conception of reality has changed over the centuries.
He invites you to imagine a vast universe still largely unexplored, where space crumbles into tiny grains, time fades at the tinniest scales, and black holes are waiting to blow up.
What’s in it for you:
- A close look at the mind-bending nature of the universe
9. Quantum Mechanics by Leonard Susskind & Art Friedman
Physicist Leonard Susskind teams up with data engineer Art Friedman to present the mathematics and theory of the famously difficult field of quantum mechanics.
The authors offer clear explanations of topics such as the principles of quantum states, entanglement, uncertainty and time dependence, and particle and wave states.
Beginner scientists can use this book as a tool kit to learn physics at their own pace.
What’s in it for you:
- Exercises in each chapter to help you master the material
10. In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat by John Gribbin
This book narrates the full story of quantum mechanics.
John Gribbin takes you along to a weird, fascinating place and introduces you to the scientists who developed quantum theory.
In a world full of mysteries, he searches for quantum reality and brings you a clear understanding of a crucial area of scientific study: quantum physics.
What’s in it for you:
- A quantum physics book that introduces you to the bizarre world of the quantum
11. The Quantum Universe by Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw
In this book, Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw simplify the fundamental scientific principles and make them accessible to everyone.
They explore the observations of the natural world that make quantum physics necessary, how it was established, and why we believe that the quantum is a good theory.
What’s in it for you:
- An essential concrete model of nature
12. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David J. Griffiths & Darrell F. Schroeter
An excellent resource for self-study, this book introduces you to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, starting with areas like the Schrödinger equation and the perturbation theory.
What’s in it for you:
- An excellent quantum physics book for undergraduates written in an accessible, engaging style
- Helpful problem sets, examples, and applications
Further Reading: STEM series
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