Why Does E=mc2? (and why should we care?) by Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw - an analysis and review

 

Everything you need to know about the central theme of this book you will find in the title. The authors, Professors Cox and Forshaw, take on Albert Einstein's most famous equation. And, in doing so, they attempt to make understanding what the equation means accessible to the layperson. Though there is a little maths in the book, the authors do all they can to explain as simply as possible the notions of energy, mass, and light.

The professors tackle this equation because it towers over scientific understanding. Indeed, as the authors explain, within this equation lies how nature is structured. We travel from the big bang, to our own humble little planet, and beyond. Along the way, we meet questions that great minds have been able to answer, as well as those science hasn't tackled yet.

Something that really comes across in this book is Cox's and Forshaw's respect for scientific method; that it doesn't care how smart someone is, or how clever their hypotheses might sound, but that if it falls down at experiment then it is wrong.

In general we look for a new law by the following process. First we guess it. Then we compute the consequences of the guess to see what would be implied if this law that we guessed is right. Then we compare the result of the computation to Nature, with experiment or experience, compare it directly with observation, to see if it works. If it disagrees with experiment it is wrong. In that simple statement is the key to science. It does not make any difference how beautiful your guess is. It does not make any difference how smart you are, who made the guess, or what his name is - if it disagrees with experiment it is wrong. That's all there is to it.

- Richard Feynman, quote mentioned in the book

As well as a book about this most famous of equations, it is also a book that demonstrates a great love and respect for physics, and science in general. It's quite humbling really.

I enjoyed this book. If you've ever seen a Brian Cox documentary, you'll know that his passion for his subject is appealing, and that comes across in the book. As I say, there is some maths included, but it is not vital to the understanding of what the authors share with us. They strive to make the subject understandable. Personally, I can glaze over a little when equations are on the page, but I have still come away from the book better informed. And a little richer for the experience too.

This book is now about eleven years old and, as we know, scientific understanding is constantly evolving. For example, since this book was published, the Higgs boson has been found. So, if you want thoroughly up-to-date information, you might wish to supplement your reading of this book with more recent publications. However, in general, what is written here still stands. After all, Einstein's work has stood up against testing now, over half a century since the man left this world.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw, you can do so here; bookshop.org supports independent bookshops.

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