As written, it keeps citing page numbers of previously mentioned theorems and experiments: but they refer to a page number in some particular dead-tree-book edition. A complicated yet quite enjoyable book about quantum physics, it follows the interactions and dialogue of a scientist and his dog, their dialog starts the explanation on various topic and their mechanics as, for example, it is explained why the dog cant be on two places at once to cross a three and ambush a squirrel. I thought you explained the physics well, and I liked your book for these explanations, but I found myself skipping over the animal-metaphors very early on. So the dog has a great idea to split in 2 and go both ways round the tree, that way, the bunny can't escape. In between, it explains Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, the quantum Zeno effect, and even quantum teleportation.

Each chapter starts with a conversation between the author and his dog Emmy about a particular topic. Well, after that, it breaks into super heavy reading about physics and how the dog would need to go so slow that it would take him longer than the universe's existance to seperate and refract around the tree. For instance, " Back in chapter 2, we saw that the wave nature of matter gives rise to zero-point energy…" Well, no, we didn't. The book alternates between short conversations with Orzel’s dog, an unusually intelligent animal who wants to use quantum mechanics to catch squirrels and rabbits, and Orzel’s straightforward presentation of the science behind the basic concepts.From quarks and gluons to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, this is a uniquely entertaining way to unlock the secrets of the universe. We are quite fortunate to live during a renaissance in books about quantum mechanics, so really, you are spoiled for choice. Chad Orzel’s book How to Teach [Quantum] Physics to Your Dog is an enjoyable analysis of many of the basic concepts of quantum mechanics. As the complexity builds, the author gives you every opportunity to see how the ideas are interconnected with references to prior mentions (with chapter and page numbers).

Certain other parts of this book, like explaining quantum Zeno effect and quantum teleportation, I think, could have been done in a better manner. The former scenario makes for better reading, but it also introduces the potential for more misconceptions. When Quantum Physics expert Dr Chad Orzel went to adopt a dog he never imagined he would end up with one as inquisitive as Emmy.

I am in a quagmire, I am thrashing around, straining to grasp the branch of a tree in an attempt to steady myself, to lift myself onto solid ground. I have started to think about particles as a kind of non-local 'fog' that is spread out across the entire universe, with different densities at different, specific, spacetime locations. So it seems that the new and alien world of quantum physics may provide more than a deeper understanding of nature. But if we thought of objects as abstract bundles of properties, we would find it easier to intuit the world of quantum dynamics.

Before reading the book, I was a little concerned about it being just another “cutesy” approach to a very difficult topic.The book starts off with the main character being Chad, I presume, talking to his dog about bunny rabbits and other garden animals.