Nothing Matters: Exploring the Quantum Vacuum

A BOOK ABOUT NOTHING: explore how humanity has conceptualized "nothingness" to make sense of a universe born from a vacuum.

The quantum vacuum is a state where virtual particles pop in and out of existence, making it neither "nothing" nor "something," but still the closest we can come to pure nothingness. Physicist and Supermassive author James Trefil leads a tour through the quantum vacuum to explore humanity's attempts to comprehend vacuity and the universe's origin, demonstrate just how pervasive “nothingness” is, and reveal how long people have been baffled and captivated by the mysteries of the cosmos.

From Ancient Greek philosophy to Italian polymathematics to contemporary studies of quantum mechanics, Trefil provides engaging explanations of what modern physicists are saying about quantum electrodynamics and the nature—and future—of our universe. Nothing Matters dives deep into the histories of and connections between human belief systems, debunked and debated scientific hypotheses, and innovative theories, covering topics such as:

• How does cosmic inflation (the theory that the early Universe expanded exponentially fast for a fraction of a second after the Big Bang) solve fundamental theoretical problems? What new questions does it raise?
• What do we know about dark matter and dark energy?
• How do we define life?
• How would we envision the multiverse?
• What creation stories have humans told to understand our place in the universe?
• What do we call light and how does it travel?

At its core, Nothing Matters is a testament to how investigating the universe and our place in it has always mattered to humankind.