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Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth...and Beyond
The story of matter and the history of the cosmos from the perspective of a single oxygen atom, told with the insight and wit of one of the most dynamic physicists and writers working today.
Through this astonishing work, he manages to stoke wonder at the powers and unlikely events that conspired to create our solar system, our ecosystem, and us.
Through this astonishing work, he manages to stoke wonder at the powers and unlikely events that conspired to create our solar system, our ecosystem, and us.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
77 people are currently reading
1,671 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence M. Krauss
38 books1,733 followersLawrence Maxwell Krauss is a Canadian-American theoretical physicist and cosmologist who taught at Arizona State University (ASU), Yale University, and Case Western Reserve University. He founded ASU's Origins Project in 2008 to investigate fundamental questions about the universe and served as the project's director.
Krauss is an advocate for public understanding of science, public policy based on sound empirical data, scientific skepticism, and science education. An anti-theist, Krauss seeks to reduce the influence of what he regards as superstition and religious dogma in popular culture. Krauss is the author of several bestselling books, including The Physics of Star Trek (1995) and A Universe from Nothing (2012), and chaired the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Board of Sponsors.
Upon investigating allegations about sexual misconduct by Krauss, ASU determined that Krauss had violated university policy, and did not renew his Origins Project directorship for a third term in July 2018. Krauss retired as a professor at ASU in May 2019, at the end of the following academic year. He currently serves as president of The Origins Project Foundation. Krauss hosts The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss and publishes a blog titled Critical Mass.
Krauss is an advocate for public understanding of science, public policy based on sound empirical data, scientific skepticism, and science education. An anti-theist, Krauss seeks to reduce the influence of what he regards as superstition and religious dogma in popular culture. Krauss is the author of several bestselling books, including The Physics of Star Trek (1995) and A Universe from Nothing (2012), and chaired the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Board of Sponsors.
Upon investigating allegations about sexual misconduct by Krauss, ASU determined that Krauss had violated university policy, and did not renew his Origins Project directorship for a third term in July 2018. Krauss retired as a professor at ASU in May 2019, at the end of the following academic year. He currently serves as president of The Origins Project Foundation. Krauss hosts The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss and publishes a blog titled Critical Mass.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 24, 2014
First, “Atom” is one of the two best science books I’ve ever read. (*) Krauss is both an excellent writer and an outstanding story-teller. The majority of this book is compelling, at least to a science geek like me. Carl Sagan famously said, “We are all star-stuff.” Krauss uses the fictional life of an oxygen atom to explain to the reader HOW we all came to be made from star-stuff – how we came to be here – and speculations about the future and fate of the Universe.
Second, this is definitely a geek-book and will be of interest only to those who desire to know the details how our world came be.
This book was published in 2001 before the days of Kindle, so the Kindle version leaves something to be desired. I’d recommend a hard copy.
(*) my favorite science book ever …. “Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder” Paperback – April 5, 2000 by Richard Dawkins
Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth...and Beyond [Kindle Edition] By Lawrence M. Krauss. Review by John H Evans – October 24, 2014
March 20, 2020
Прије него што почнемо, имам да изјавим сљедеће: Лоренса Крауса органски не могу да поднесем. Тај начин облачења, тај екстремно иритантан глас, омаловажавање супарника у дебатама, надобудност (најбоље обожава кад простој раји саопшти нешто што би требало да је шокира и онда са висине свима поручи "Ако вам се то не свиђа, ко вам је крив!", па чак и кад то подразумијева лупетање небулоза типа да је збир свих природних бројева једнак минус једна дванаестина), све то његове видео снимке (о живим наступима да и не говоримо) чини врло тешким за гледање јер се човјек константно бори са жељом да улети на сцену и тог одвратног патуљка придави његовим сопственим капутом.
Сад кад сам тај тешки терет скинуо с груди (а једва сам чекао прилику за то), са задовољством могу да констатујем да ништа (или барем скоро ништа) од те Краусове мегаиритантне интернетске персоне није процурило у његово писање. Додуше, ова књига је сада већ скоро двадесет година стара, а новије нисам читао, тако да је могуће да су се ту ствари промијениле, али то је већ тема за те друге књиге. Хтједох да кажем, ово је једна врло добро написана научно-популарна књига која се, кроз замишљену перспективу једног атома кисеоника (и прије тога његових саставних дијелова) бави историјом свемира све од Великог праска, преко настанка и развоја разноразних галаксија и планета и сунаца и сл., преко живота на Земљи, до самог краја свемира, тј. шпекулација о варијантама истог.
Као што знамо, Краус је физичар, али једна овако свеобухватна прича, као што лако можете да замислите, неминовно се протеже и на разне друге области, првенствено биологију, али то све је исприповиједано тако да барем мојим лаичким очима ништа није штрчало у тим дијеловима који нису његова струка, тј. неко ко на примјер не зна ништа о аутору са истом вјероватноћом би могао да помисли да је у питању физичар који у неким дијеловима књиге пише о биологији као и да се ради о биологу чији почетак и крај књиге се баве физиком.
Све у овој књизи је врло врло врло детаљно и прецизно објашњено (наравно, тамо гдје научна сазнања омогућавају такву прецизност) и на моменте она прилично превазилази оквире обичне популарне науке и постаје нешто доста озбиљније. Потребно је бити прилично концентрисан да би се све упратило како треба, а вјероватно су поновљена читања још и најбоља варијанта. То није кривица аутора, који је врло добар писац и зна повремено да убаци какву симпатично духовиту упадицу, већ једноставно посљедица нивоа детаљности за који се опредијелио.
Ја наравно не дијелим Краусово мишљење ни око чега, тако да ми дијелови у којима се бави филозофирањем нису баш блиски, али његовом објашњавању тренутних научних достигнућа не налазим замјерку. Мени је књига "зашкрипала" на неколико (не много) мјеста која су углавном субјективна, осим једне - средњи вијек већ одавно нико озбиљан не назива Мрачним добом. То је један од модерних митова, као што је нпр. онај да су (опет) у средњем вијеку сви мислили да је Земља равна, што само показује да су и научници ко и сви остали људи врло склони предрасудама.
Сума сумарум: Препоручено.
Сад кад сам тај тешки терет скинуо с груди (а једва сам чекао прилику за то), са задовољством могу да констатујем да ништа (или барем скоро ништа) од те Краусове мегаиритантне интернетске персоне није процурило у његово писање. Додуше, ова књига је сада већ скоро двадесет година стара, а новије нисам читао, тако да је могуће да су се ту ствари промијениле, али то је већ тема за те друге књиге. Хтједох да кажем, ово је једна врло добро написана научно-популарна књига која се, кроз замишљену перспективу једног атома кисеоника (и прије тога његових саставних дијелова) бави историјом свемира све од Великог праска, преко настанка и развоја разноразних галаксија и планета и сунаца и сл., преко живота на Земљи, до самог краја свемира, тј. шпекулација о варијантама истог.
Као што знамо, Краус је физичар, али једна овако свеобухватна прича, као што лако можете да замислите, неминовно се протеже и на разне друге области, првенствено биологију, али то све је исприповиједано тако да барем мојим лаичким очима ништа није штрчало у тим дијеловима који нису његова струка, тј. неко ко на примјер не зна ништа о аутору са истом вјероватноћом би могао да помисли да је у питању физичар који у неким дијеловима књиге пише о биологији као и да се ради о биологу чији почетак и крај књиге се баве физиком.
Све у овој књизи је врло врло врло детаљно и прецизно објашњено (наравно, тамо гдје научна сазнања омогућавају такву прецизност) и на моменте она прилично превазилази оквире обичне популарне науке и постаје нешто доста озбиљније. Потребно је бити прилично концентрисан да би се све упратило како треба, а вјероватно су поновљена читања још и најбоља варијанта. То није кривица аутора, који је врло добар писац и зна повремено да убаци какву симпатично духовиту упадицу, већ једноставно посљедица нивоа детаљности за који се опредијелио.
Ја наравно не дијелим Краусово мишљење ни око чега, тако да ми дијелови у којима се бави филозофирањем нису баш блиски, али његовом објашњавању тренутних научних достигнућа не налазим замјерку. Мени је књига "зашкрипала" на неколико (не много) мјеста која су углавном субјективна, осим једне - средњи вијек већ одавно нико озбиљан не назива Мрачним добом. То је један од модерних митова, као што је нпр. онај да су (опет) у средњем вијеку сви мислили да је Земља равна, што само показује да су и научници ко и сви остали људи врло склони предрасудама.
Сума сумарум: Препоручено.
September 17, 2021
Atom is the story of a single oxygen atom from its origination at the Big Bang to modern-day Earth and even beyond as the author speculates what will become of the Earth and all of the atoms which make us who we are. What a neat concept for a book! One of the chapters in Primo Levi's excellent book The Periodic Table is based on a similar concept, tracing a portion of the life of single carbon atom, and Krauss refers to Levi's story and compares it to this book. I thought both authors created fascinating histories.
Essentially, this book is about what went in to making the universe, life as we know it, and what will eventually happen to everything. It is heavily steeped in chemistry, as our atom combines with numerous others during its life to form all sorts of molecules. Everything is chemistry. Everything! And all atoms, including the ones inside you, were born in now-extinct stars. I loved how this book solidified my belief that there is a scientific basis and explanation for everything and no outside magical or spiritual component is necessary or evident in the universe.
What I didn't like: I thought the cosmology in the first third of the book was a little too dense and hard to understand for my intelligence level, even through Krauss did an admirable job keeping it as simple as he could and even adding humor here and there. This part of the book is heavy in physics and my head hurt reading some of it. It was never boring, just complex. On the plus side, Krauss starts each chapter with a relatable modern-day science story which introduces the concept he is about to address.
The book got better and more understandable and relatable as it went on, as the universe and matter began to resemble what it is today. Once the atom arrived in our embryonic solar system is where the book really became a good read for me. While the life of the oxygen atom makes up the primary thread in the book, Krauss tells us the history of the universe along the way, and gradually goes in to the history of our solar system, the Earth, and life on Earth. Again, all based on chemistry - everything is just a different combination of elements. The atom's time spent on Earth, and description of the Earth's history with its cooling and warming periods and extinction events, were the highlights of the book for me. Also excellent was the parts about post-Earth history. The atoms in our body at this very second will live on long after the Earth is absorbed by our future red giant sun.
It's quite remarkable how much science Krauss fits in to his ~300 page book.
In addition to the mind-blowing epilogue, Krauss also lists fifteen other recommended books (with synopsis) in physics and cosmology, including Levi's' book which I also highly recommend. There is also an index in case you want to go back and re-read the section about quantum chromodynamics or quark interactions.
I bought an old hard cover library book online. The book used to be in the library of the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. One night after I finished reading and shut off all the lights I noticed that the title and cover design of atoms glowed in the dark. What a neat surprise.
4.5 stars.
Essentially, this book is about what went in to making the universe, life as we know it, and what will eventually happen to everything. It is heavily steeped in chemistry, as our atom combines with numerous others during its life to form all sorts of molecules. Everything is chemistry. Everything! And all atoms, including the ones inside you, were born in now-extinct stars. I loved how this book solidified my belief that there is a scientific basis and explanation for everything and no outside magical or spiritual component is necessary or evident in the universe.
What I didn't like: I thought the cosmology in the first third of the book was a little too dense and hard to understand for my intelligence level, even through Krauss did an admirable job keeping it as simple as he could and even adding humor here and there. This part of the book is heavy in physics and my head hurt reading some of it. It was never boring, just complex. On the plus side, Krauss starts each chapter with a relatable modern-day science story which introduces the concept he is about to address.
The book got better and more understandable and relatable as it went on, as the universe and matter began to resemble what it is today. Once the atom arrived in our embryonic solar system is where the book really became a good read for me. While the life of the oxygen atom makes up the primary thread in the book, Krauss tells us the history of the universe along the way, and gradually goes in to the history of our solar system, the Earth, and life on Earth. Again, all based on chemistry - everything is just a different combination of elements. The atom's time spent on Earth, and description of the Earth's history with its cooling and warming periods and extinction events, were the highlights of the book for me. Also excellent was the parts about post-Earth history. The atoms in our body at this very second will live on long after the Earth is absorbed by our future red giant sun.
It's quite remarkable how much science Krauss fits in to his ~300 page book.
In addition to the mind-blowing epilogue, Krauss also lists fifteen other recommended books (with synopsis) in physics and cosmology, including Levi's' book which I also highly recommend. There is also an index in case you want to go back and re-read the section about quantum chromodynamics or quark interactions.
I bought an old hard cover library book online. The book used to be in the library of the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. One night after I finished reading and shut off all the lights I noticed that the title and cover design of atoms glowed in the dark. What a neat surprise.
4.5 stars.
January 28, 2021
A brilliant narrative on the likely origins of life the universe and everything, as we follow the story of a hypothetical Oxygen atom.
As easy to digest as anything I've read by Sagan and NDGT
As easy to digest as anything I've read by Sagan and NDGT
June 24, 2020
Fictieve reis door de tijd vanaf net na de big bang tot het einde der tijden, aan de hand van een zuurstof-atoom en zijn bouwstenen (het zuurstof-atoom wordt pas laat in het boek gevormd). Fantasierijk, helder, komisch en enthousiast geschreven, met vele zijstapjes naar het onderzoek dat de gebruikte kennis heeft gevonden.
Omdat de schrijver graag de spanning erin houdt, is het niet altijd even duidelijk wáár hij het eigenlijk nu over heeft en 'wanneer' we zijn. Bovendien wordt het boek gaandeweg naar het heden toe (het lot van de zuurstof op aarde) wel wat erg kort door de bocht en warriger, en zijn 's mans bekommeringen over de toekomst van de mensheid niet bijster interessant, maar aan het einde krijgen we toch weer wat moois over de verre toekomst van het heelal te lezen.
Niettegenstaande de minpuntjes een bijzonder origineel, leerzaam, onderhoudend en persoonlijk boek over niet de gemakkelijkste materie.
Omdat de schrijver graag de spanning erin houdt, is het niet altijd even duidelijk wáár hij het eigenlijk nu over heeft en 'wanneer' we zijn. Bovendien wordt het boek gaandeweg naar het heden toe (het lot van de zuurstof op aarde) wel wat erg kort door de bocht en warriger, en zijn 's mans bekommeringen over de toekomst van de mensheid niet bijster interessant, maar aan het einde krijgen we toch weer wat moois over de verre toekomst van het heelal te lezen.
Niettegenstaande de minpuntjes een bijzonder origineel, leerzaam, onderhoudend en persoonlijk boek over niet de gemakkelijkste materie.
December 8, 2016
"An accident of nature, 12 billions years ago, is likely to have led to a slight imperfection in the universe, a small departure from equilibrium. This resulted in the existence of matter, and ultimately of atoms in our universe. This imperfection is likely to be repaired in 10^35 years into the future."
So long, and thanks for all the fish ...
So long, and thanks for all the fish ...
January 11, 2023
This book gives me mixed feelings. On the one hand, the author has written about almost EVERYTHING from the beginning of things. Even holding ALL of that thought sounds difficult, I can't imagine how strenuous the task of putting this book together must have been. He does a great job, of keeping the writing surprisingly simple and succinct, devoid of jargon. But on the other hand, the book was intensely dreary and draining at parts. It was difficult to remember details covered in the previous chapters when you are currently reading one. And without remembering as many details, the text just sounds like a lot of numbers. However mind-boggling the facts were, it was difficult to keep track and remember all the details without tiring myself. This, I am not claiming to be the author's fault, but could simply be due to the nature of the subject itself. You might want to time reading the chapters close together. But if you are devoting religiously to imbibing this book cover to cover, I would recommend that you pace the reading more slowly trying to actively recall the content. It would be worth it, for the book leaves one in awe without fail.
March 10, 2024
Krauss' writing is beautiful and evocative, so much so that at first I found myself caught wondering if I was reading Dickens instead of the biography of an atom. The book itself explores several spheres outside of English, of course, encompassing chemistry, physics, astrology, paleontology, biology, and doubtless much more. Krauss himself does an excellent job explaining but if your attention is not 100% focused on the book a lot of the logic and terminology will fly over your head.
The content itself blows my mind. It's just so goddamn cool. Krauss follows a singular atom as it goes through several transformations of itself (in the form of elements) and its environment. It's the biography of an atom but also the biography of our universe; I guess the two are intrinsically tied anyway.
Readers should be aware it was published in 2001 and the information may be out of date. Also, Krauss doesn't include citations—which he does acknowledge at the end since "Atom" isn't a scientific paper—but I think they would have been useful.
Also, the cover glows in the dark.
The content itself blows my mind. It's just so goddamn cool. Krauss follows a singular atom as it goes through several transformations of itself (in the form of elements) and its environment. It's the biography of an atom but also the biography of our universe; I guess the two are intrinsically tied anyway.
Readers should be aware it was published in 2001 and the information may be out of date. Also, Krauss doesn't include citations—which he does acknowledge at the end since "Atom" isn't a scientific paper—but I think they would have been useful.
Also, the cover glows in the dark.
September 3, 2022
This was a challenging read. Many parts of it are filled with physics concepts, principles, and mathematical formulas. But I persisted in wading through all of that and found a reasonably clear picture of the amazing, nearly timeless birth and growth of our planet and its solar system. Years in the billions, and billions and billions. . . I had no idea of all that had happened before humans appeared on this earth. Krauss writes of how easily cultures, planets, stars and solar systems can become extinct. He writes briefly about how we may bring that on ourselves by over using or even wiping out the supplies of fossil fuels on this planet. At the same time he writes positively about how we just might evolve into something even better.
It was challenging, but I enjoyed it and have learned a lot.
It was challenging, but I enjoyed it and have learned a lot.
January 29, 2020
Fantastic science book. Compelling and exceptionally readable - for those who like to read science books.
The contents have been more than covered by other reviewers, so let me add but one comment that may not have been made about it: it has the coolest, most appropriate dust jacket (hardcover, first edition) ever!
Turn out the lights, be in a pitch dark room, let your "night" eyes develop, and then have a gander at the cover: the word "Atom" glows in the dark and is surrounded by a pitch black sky populated by dozens, if not hundreds, of "stars."
That, by itself, is worth buying it.
Jeff
The contents have been more than covered by other reviewers, so let me add but one comment that may not have been made about it: it has the coolest, most appropriate dust jacket (hardcover, first edition) ever!
Turn out the lights, be in a pitch dark room, let your "night" eyes develop, and then have a gander at the cover: the word "Atom" glows in the dark and is surrounded by a pitch black sky populated by dozens, if not hundreds, of "stars."
That, by itself, is worth buying it.
Jeff
July 21, 2023
If you read this book, there is one caveat to remember. It predates the Large Hadron Collider in CERN.
Atom by Lawrence M. Krauss follows an Oxygen atom from the Big Bang to the modern era. To be more accurate, it follows the components of an Oxygen atom from the Big Bang. Everything was Hydrogen at first, after all. It is a popular science book, so it adds a narrative to keep the reader's attention.
Krauss has a Ph.D. from MIT and was a professor of Physics as of the writing. He wrote several popular science books and was a great science popularizer.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Atom by Lawrence M. Krauss follows an Oxygen atom from the Big Bang to the modern era. To be more accurate, it follows the components of an Oxygen atom from the Big Bang. Everything was Hydrogen at first, after all. It is a popular science book, so it adds a narrative to keep the reader's attention.
Krauss has a Ph.D. from MIT and was a professor of Physics as of the writing. He wrote several popular science books and was a great science popularizer.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
March 24, 2021
Really cool content and a good level of technical details. It's a pretty slow read unless you are well-versed in astrophysics and chemistry. And the author didn't really make any effort to cite women or BIPOC very often, either because this field has historically been and continues to be white male dominated or because of the erasure of BIPOC and women accomplishments. I'm sure that wasn't his intent though.
Otherwise, highly recommend for anyone interested in the evolution of the universe. Just don't expect to speed through it.
Otherwise, highly recommend for anyone interested in the evolution of the universe. Just don't expect to speed through it.
November 30, 2021
This book had been on my reading list for over two years. Finally coming to read it, I found it excellent. Written in plain language, this book is Krauss's best introductory science book on cosmic origins. The narrative style was also very engaging and made me focus more while reading through the stuff I already knew. Even though I read tens of books on cosmology and cosmic origins, I found some new bits of information here. That's just an incredible feat for any author if you ask me! Definitely a recommendation for anyone at the beginning of their cosmic journey!
April 15, 2023
This book accomplishes two remarkable feats. First, it explains many complex ideas without using any professional jargon. For example, stellar evolution in the context of thermodynamics, nuclear fusion and gravity is very well done. Second, Krauss covers a lot of ground here - geology, biology, biochemistry and of course, astrophysics. His ability to do all that without giving a sense of a meandering, unfocused jumble of ideas, is amazing.
March 24, 2024
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
Amazing and compelling story about the atom and all the major discoveries around it. The first chapters are more dense with information and important characters; the last chapter was my favorite with questions and some possibilities around our existence: Chance, God, Nature.
Amazing and compelling story about the atom and all the major discoveries around it. The first chapters are more dense with information and important characters; the last chapter was my favorite with questions and some possibilities around our existence: Chance, God, Nature.
February 26, 2021
Lawrence krauss has a beautiful, funny and witty way at bringing science to the layman. If anyone has ever wondered about our origins, where we came from, what started it all, this is the book for you. Definitely recommend!
December 19, 2022
I love me some Lawrence Krauss he’s brilliant and can speak to dolts like me. He’s also a much bigger optimist than I am but I’ve been predicting the end of homo Saipan’s since I was 12…. I’m 54. Great read
March 29, 2018
Great information but so dry that I fell asleep every time I tried to read.
July 14, 2018
El contenido es interesante, se adorna con citas y anécdotas, pero se me hizo interminable (y eso que estoy acostumbrado a leer libros de ensayo científico)
September 24, 2020
Science at its best. This was told in manner that we can all understand and appreciate. You will enjoy the journey.
January 12, 2021
There was too much detail. More information than was needed for the amateur physicist.
April 21, 2023
big impact on me when i read it 12 years ago, it made me make a big decision in my life.
February 20, 2014
Stars are the cosmic incubators for all natural elements
This book requires basic knowledge of physics and chemistry. Chapters 1 - 7 introduce cosmology; Chapters 8 - 9 describes evolution of stars, and physical and chemical process for the production of chemical elements; Chapters 10 - 13 addresses the evolution of life on hospitable planets such as earth. Chapters 8, 9 and 11 provide significant amount of information, while some chapters are too descriptive and boring.
When the universe was at its infancy, it consisted of clouds of hydrogen and helium molecules that started to collapse over millions of years (mass accretion) under gravity. Progressively the temperature increased due to compression and the molecules started to dissociate into atoms and finally to ions at high pressure and temperatures. At 15 million degrees, about one in a 100 million protons gain sufficient energy to collide and fuse with each other to produce deuterium nuclei, further nuclear reactions generated helium-3 nucleus. Collision of two helium-3 nuclei results in helium-4 and two protons, generating intense radiation (energy) and pressure (centrifugal force) to counter the gravitational (centripetal) force. Thus thermonuclear reactions produce heat and light of a star over billions of years of its existence which affects geological process and biological evolution in orbiting planets. If a star is massive, gravitational collapse continues and the temperature at inner core rises to 100 million degrees when two helium-4 nuclei fuse to form berylluim-8 nuclei; at higher core temperatures collision of helium-4 with beryllium-8 results in carbon-12. After millions of years of burning helium, the inner core continues to fall as the compression continues to raise core temperature and this promotes carbon-12 and helium-4 nuclear fusion producing oxygen-16 nucleus. When helium nuclei are completely exhausted; the star would have produced significant quantities of carbon and oxygen nuclei. This result in two shells; an inner core of carbon and oxygen followed by an outer shell of burning helium, which is surrounded by a shell of burning hydrogen. When helium is exhausted, the inner core is compressed further raising temperature, then two carbon nuclei fuse to produce a plethora of nuclei from oxygen to sodium and magnesium. When carbon burning is completely exhausted, the core compresses further raising temperature and pressure to promote fusion of oxygen nuclei to produce silicon, neon, and then sulfur. As the temperatures rises to one billion degrees, fusion of silicon nuclei results in iron-56 nucleus; beyond this point no further elements are generated, since heavier nuclei bind less tightly. At this stage when the temperature is 5 billion degrees, the density reaches 10,000 tons per cubic centimeter. The core starts to lose energy in the form escaping neutrinos, and fusion of protons and electrons results in increasing amounts of neutrons. As the core energy decreases, the gravitational force of matter dominates. At a density of 100 million tons per cubic centimeter, the core predominantly contains neutrons and at this point laws of quantum mechanics precludes neutrons squeezed any further thus forming a neutron star. Eventually the star collapses in a gigantic explosion called supernova. At this point the temperature is very high and during this hot expanding neutron-rich environment capture of neutrons by various elements quickly produces all natural elements up to uranium. These are expelled into the interstellar medium to great distances in spacetime, eventually cooling the debris. During cooling process; the nuclei capture electrons to become atoms and elements such as iron, silicon, aluminum and carbon will condense into microscopic solid grains at appropriate temperatures. Low molecular weight compounds such as carbon monoxide, iron oxides, silicates and water are formed at right temperatures and pressure. Photochemical reactions in presence of iron and aluminum produce carbon dioxide, methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and glycine (amino acid) etc. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen continue to form more complex organic and biomolecules, the source material for life. Oxygen remains adhered to grains of aluminum oxide. As the stellar dust and gas collapse inward toward a central plane of rotating material which will fragment to form planetismals (planetary nebula) around a star. Much of water was provided by comets (from Oort clouds outside the solar system) hitting earth over millions of years. The planet turned from state of high levels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen to a more tolerable levels, and habitable temperatures which lead to the raise in oxygen concentration. It is a concerted effort of sun and the Jupiter; geological process followed by biological evolution created the blue planet. This book contains an exhaustive amount of scientific material that could serve as a reference material, and it is highly recommended.
This book requires basic knowledge of physics and chemistry. Chapters 1 - 7 introduce cosmology; Chapters 8 - 9 describes evolution of stars, and physical and chemical process for the production of chemical elements; Chapters 10 - 13 addresses the evolution of life on hospitable planets such as earth. Chapters 8, 9 and 11 provide significant amount of information, while some chapters are too descriptive and boring.
When the universe was at its infancy, it consisted of clouds of hydrogen and helium molecules that started to collapse over millions of years (mass accretion) under gravity. Progressively the temperature increased due to compression and the molecules started to dissociate into atoms and finally to ions at high pressure and temperatures. At 15 million degrees, about one in a 100 million protons gain sufficient energy to collide and fuse with each other to produce deuterium nuclei, further nuclear reactions generated helium-3 nucleus. Collision of two helium-3 nuclei results in helium-4 and two protons, generating intense radiation (energy) and pressure (centrifugal force) to counter the gravitational (centripetal) force. Thus thermonuclear reactions produce heat and light of a star over billions of years of its existence which affects geological process and biological evolution in orbiting planets. If a star is massive, gravitational collapse continues and the temperature at inner core rises to 100 million degrees when two helium-4 nuclei fuse to form berylluim-8 nuclei; at higher core temperatures collision of helium-4 with beryllium-8 results in carbon-12. After millions of years of burning helium, the inner core continues to fall as the compression continues to raise core temperature and this promotes carbon-12 and helium-4 nuclear fusion producing oxygen-16 nucleus. When helium nuclei are completely exhausted; the star would have produced significant quantities of carbon and oxygen nuclei. This result in two shells; an inner core of carbon and oxygen followed by an outer shell of burning helium, which is surrounded by a shell of burning hydrogen. When helium is exhausted, the inner core is compressed further raising temperature, then two carbon nuclei fuse to produce a plethora of nuclei from oxygen to sodium and magnesium. When carbon burning is completely exhausted, the core compresses further raising temperature and pressure to promote fusion of oxygen nuclei to produce silicon, neon, and then sulfur. As the temperatures rises to one billion degrees, fusion of silicon nuclei results in iron-56 nucleus; beyond this point no further elements are generated, since heavier nuclei bind less tightly. At this stage when the temperature is 5 billion degrees, the density reaches 10,000 tons per cubic centimeter. The core starts to lose energy in the form escaping neutrinos, and fusion of protons and electrons results in increasing amounts of neutrons. As the core energy decreases, the gravitational force of matter dominates. At a density of 100 million tons per cubic centimeter, the core predominantly contains neutrons and at this point laws of quantum mechanics precludes neutrons squeezed any further thus forming a neutron star. Eventually the star collapses in a gigantic explosion called supernova. At this point the temperature is very high and during this hot expanding neutron-rich environment capture of neutrons by various elements quickly produces all natural elements up to uranium. These are expelled into the interstellar medium to great distances in spacetime, eventually cooling the debris. During cooling process; the nuclei capture electrons to become atoms and elements such as iron, silicon, aluminum and carbon will condense into microscopic solid grains at appropriate temperatures. Low molecular weight compounds such as carbon monoxide, iron oxides, silicates and water are formed at right temperatures and pressure. Photochemical reactions in presence of iron and aluminum produce carbon dioxide, methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and glycine (amino acid) etc. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen continue to form more complex organic and biomolecules, the source material for life. Oxygen remains adhered to grains of aluminum oxide. As the stellar dust and gas collapse inward toward a central plane of rotating material which will fragment to form planetismals (planetary nebula) around a star. Much of water was provided by comets (from Oort clouds outside the solar system) hitting earth over millions of years. The planet turned from state of high levels of carbon dioxide and nitrogen to a more tolerable levels, and habitable temperatures which lead to the raise in oxygen concentration. It is a concerted effort of sun and the Jupiter; geological process followed by biological evolution created the blue planet. This book contains an exhaustive amount of scientific material that could serve as a reference material, and it is highly recommended.
January 20, 2023
Chapter 8: "Iron-56 is the most tightly bound nucleus in nature."
No, it's not. It isn't even the second most tightly bound.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/...
Chapter 19: "The effect of objects separating faster than the speed of light is that one object becomes invisible to the other ..."
No. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0310808
The cosmic microwave background is receding at 3.2 times the speed of light and it is still visible.
No, it's not. It isn't even the second most tightly bound.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/...
Chapter 19: "The effect of objects separating faster than the speed of light is that one object becomes invisible to the other ..."
No. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0310808
The cosmic microwave background is receding at 3.2 times the speed of light and it is still visible.
January 1, 2024
I would like to see a book with a carbon atom at the center. Nevertheless this is a great educative book for whom want to understand the universe by the whole timeline and by the logic of physics and chemistry - particularly by an atom.
August 1, 2016
I knew from the second I laid my eyes on this book that I'm gonna love it and give it 5 stars! If I want to summarize my review, I'll pick 3 words; LAWRENCE FU**ING KRAUSS!!!!
So wonderful to have such a smart scientist who is able to translate heavy science for those of us with less pedigree. I loved physics because of him and what I'm loving the most that everyday I know something new, thanks to him!
Atom tells the story of our universe starting from the Big Bang. But it does so from the perspective of one atom of oxygen. The issue is complex, but again professor Krauss makes a great effort and achieved it understandable.
So wonderful to have such a smart scientist who is able to translate heavy science for those of us with less pedigree. I loved physics because of him and what I'm loving the most that everyday I know something new, thanks to him!
Atom tells the story of our universe starting from the Big Bang. But it does so from the perspective of one atom of oxygen. The issue is complex, but again professor Krauss makes a great effort and achieved it understandable.
October 17, 2016
This book is nothing short of amazing. Krauss explains the hardships atoms have had to endure, and what lies in store for them in a language that the everyday person can understand. He does this so well that the reader becomes the atom, experiences its life, and glimpses its future, all in a humorous and logical style that will leave any reader gripped until the final page. This book will leave any reader truly appreciating our uniqueness in the universe, as well as the myriad events that, honestly, shouldn't have happened, but since they did, the world as we know it exists. If you enjoy astronomy and physics, do give this book a chance to change your universe.
April 23, 2008
It's an overview of cosmology following the life of an atom from the Big Bang onward....
It, of course, assumes the Big Bang was a viable theory, but aside from that basic point of misinformation... It is engaging and well written. It's an overview, touches on phsyics/astrophysics/and scientific principle in an easy to understand laymans term kind of way. It is a book for the masses, so you won't find eloquent equations in it, but it was certainly an entertaining read, well, if you're a super science nerd like me anyways.
It, of course, assumes the Big Bang was a viable theory, but aside from that basic point of misinformation... It is engaging and well written. It's an overview, touches on phsyics/astrophysics/and scientific principle in an easy to understand laymans term kind of way. It is a book for the masses, so you won't find eloquent equations in it, but it was certainly an entertaining read, well, if you're a super science nerd like me anyways.
September 17, 2012
Fascinating, fascinating, fascinating... I learned more than I could have ever hoped about the universe through the perspective of an atom of Oxygen. More than anything it cemented for me how incredibly complex the universe it and how grand the time-frame of action is - our universe has been around for more time than my own mind could ever conceive. Atom makes me excited to be living - a small collection of atoms rushing through space.
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