Front Matter Free

The purpose of this book is to introduce educated people to great achievements in physics and to the lives of the achievers. The book's tone is informal. Sometimes we address the reader directly. We have tried for a light touch, with more than a bit of humor.

There are 32 chapters. In each chapter, we have striven to explain the science simply but comprehensively. We restrict the mathematics to elementary algebra and right-angle geometry (i.e., the Pythagorean theorem). We include numerous illustrations to augment the discussions. We cross-reference chapters with each other. When a concept appears in a later chapter, we reference the earlier chapter where it first appeared.

Our choice of subjects—both the people and the material—is unavoidably idiosyncratic. We had to stop somewhere. We wanted a moderate sized book, not a daunting tome. Some of the chapters are under a thousand words; others are several thousand. Some of the shorter ones are short because the mathematics involved is well beyond the scope of the book. Descriptions in these are of necessity qualitative. We cover the main branches of physics and the periods during which the major discoveries occurred. We begin with Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler in the 15th century and end with 2017 Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne.

Each chapter contains an explanation of the science, combined with biographical information. By describing the science and the scientists, we challenge stereotypes of both.

It has been a surprise and a pleasure to us while writing the book, to realize how many and how deep the connections are between our heroines’ and heroes’ achievements. This is, in itself, a lesson of how science works.

We have written this book, not for physicists, but for readers interested or willing to be interested in physics and physicists' lives.¹ The only prerequisites are a familiarity with right-angle geometry (mostly the Pythagorean theorem), elementary algebra—and curiosity.

Why physicists? Because we are tired of parties where someone asks, “So what do you do?” As soon as we say the Ph word, the response is “I could never understand that” or “How can I even talk to you?” Often enough an underlying message, “Geek!” Well, people can understand it, with a bit of effort, and a lot of curiosity. Furthermore, people need to understand it, so they can grasp political and technical arguments that affect us all. Do mobile phones damage your brain? Is nuclear energy a good non-fossil-fuel source or is it too dangerous? Is climate change really a threat?² There is a lot of snake oil out there, and we need to recognize it for our own good and for the good of the planet. This book does not explicitly address these particular examples. However, its stories demonstrate a way of thinking that will allow you to address them.

Why “Einstein's Elevator”? Just a catchy title to sell books? No (although it wouldn't hurt). Among the subjects we have chosen are the two that constitute the revolutionary breakthroughs of the 20th century: relativity and quantum mechanics. One of our choices is associated with both: Albert Einstein. His achievements in both areas comprise Chaps. 8 and 9. His theory of relativity connects gravity with why you feel heavy when an elevator starts its ascent and light when it starts its descent. His explanation of the quantum-mechanical photo-electric effect is the basis for the elevator doors re-opening when you have leapt halfway in.

Which physicists? We have chosen some who are well known, such as Galileo, Curie, and, of course, Einstein. We have selected some who should be better known, especially the women. In this regard, we have surveyed friends, including our feminist ones, about which of the following names they recognize: Marie Curie of course but almost never Caroline Herschel, Emmy Noether, Lise Meitner, Chien-Shung Wu, Maria Goeppert-Mayer, Cecilia Payne-Gaposhkin, Margaret Burbidge, or Vera Rubin. It is time their stories were told.

The book is not a compendium of biographies. Our focus is on explaining the achievements of these great physicists in the context of their lives. We consider how circumstances affected their work; for example, how females succeeded despite all of the obstacles thrown in their way, or how Jews fleeing the Nazis had to start anew in another country.

Obviously, our selection is—a selection. No doubt we have left out some important figures. To them we apologize, in most cases posthumously.

It will take work to understand this book. Your work will be rewarded. Anyway, relax. There won't be a quiz.