My First Book of Quantum Physics April Book of the Month

If you're like me then you may be of the opinion that science can be a little on the boring side. Science writer and educator Sheddad Kaid-Salah aims to change that opinion for the younger generation with My First Book of Quantum Physics. And I tell you what my eldest daughter and I were so impressed that we chose it as my April book of the month.

What this book does is break down what a lot of us will call the techno-babble. It lets the reader in on the science beyond the atoms and quarks, explaining the subtle differences between waves and particles, and where they overlap, and much, much more!

Everything in the universe - including light, water, air, planets, buildings, animals and people - is made of minute particles. Quantum physics is the science of these tiny particles. The discoveries made in quantum physics have been the driving force behind technological advances ranging from mobile phones to lasers and medical imagining. Without it, most of the technology we take for granted simply wouldn't exist.

Anyway seen as this book is ideally aimed at tweens I thought it was best if I hand you over to my very own tween and let her share her thoughts with you all:

My first book of Quantum Physics is an excellent first look at this complex science. This was an informative read, not only appealing to me but my younger sister too (she's only five).

A particular thing I liked about this book is the presentation. It includes bright colours and easy to follow images. I think this makes this easier for people younger than myself to understand parts. My sister caught me reading it and I ended up explaining light photons to her. Not an easy job but very entertaining.

Quantum physics also pushes us to the boundaries of what we know about science, reality and the structure of the universe. In the quantum world particles do strange things, and act totally unlike the objects we experience in day-to-day life. How can atoms exist in two places at once? And just how can a cat be dead and alive at the same time? 

My favourite part of the book was about Schrodinger's cat. It says that when the cat is put in a box with a poisonous flask, there is 50% chance it is alive and a 50% chance it is dead, therefore it is both at the same time, until we look and found out which it is. I particularly like the way this is explained and the fact that I really like cats helps.

In conclusion I would recommend this to those starting secondary school or who are curious budding scientists of a younger age. This is a beautifully presented non-fiction book that children of a wide range of ages can enjoy.

I have to agree, this book is so well presented, the illustrations are bright and inviting and combined with key facts and concepts, it provides big ideas in a real child friendly way. If you weren't already into science, My First Book of Quantum Physics could be the thing to change your mind as this guide makes everything that little bit clearer and adds a certain amount of fascination to this underrated subject.