For the Love of Physics  (English, Paperback, Lewin Walter)

For the Love of Physics attempts to make learning even the most difficult of Physics concepts fun, even for those who are not science geeks.

Summary Of The Book

Professor Walter Lewin was known for his unorthodox methods of teaching physics in the classroom at MIT. His video tutorials on YouTube are hugely popular.

In For the Love of Physics, he brings that informal and entertaining approach to teaching physics in text format. Beginning with the simple question of why the sky is blue, he explains the principle of scattering of light. He then goes on to other physics concepts that take the reader on a journey. As the first chapter aptly puts it, from the nucleus to deep space.

With this book, the reader can actually begin to understand the rules that govern the world we live in. The author explains in a simple, engaging style, the laws of physics behind everything we see around us - electricity, magnetism, the laws of motion, gravity, measurements, and other interesting topics like rainbows and black holes.

So, did anyone know that the statement that one is taller lying down than standing up is actually true? The author proves this by measuring a student standing up, and then lying down. He explains that gravity compresses the soft tissues between the vertebrae in our spines when standing. Lying down, the tissues expand, so the difference in length. This truth, which the author’s grandmother knew, was not so obvious to scientists. Earlier, astronauts complained that their suits did not fit them in outer space. The reduced gravity made them taller.

Peppered with a lot of such interesting facts, this book will persuade even the most reluctant of readers to tread the waters, and then plunge deep into the world of physics. Through this book, readers may emerge with a love for the subject or develop a new perspective to the world around them.

About Walter Lewin

Walter Lewin is an astrophysicist who taught three core physics courses at MIT for more than three decades. His teaching style was always hands-on as he firmly believes that physics is fundamentally an experimental science.

Another book by the author is Compact Stellar X-ray Sources.

His dynamic and informal style of writing and teaching captures the attention of even people who do not have a science background. This style helps in understanding complex concepts in physics easily.

Born in 1936 in Netherlands, Lewin moved to the US in 1966 when he joined MIT as a post-doctoral associate. He soon became an assistant professor. His passion for physics and his interest in communicating the beauty of physics to others made him stay at MIT as a professor, teaching core courses in physics. He has received many awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Award and the NASA Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievement. MIT has posted several video lectures by Professor Walter Lewin at MITOpenCourseWare site, and they are also available on YouTube. His lecture videos are quite popular, attracting a wide audience.