The Magick of Physics: Uncovering the Fantastical Phenomena in Everyday Life

“The modern name for magic is ‘physics,’ ” according to this whimsical study. Theoretical physicist Flicker (The Magick of Matter) elucidates the behavior of atoms, the laws of thermodynamics, and other concepts related to condensed particle physics (the application of quantum mechanics “to many particles at once”), stylizing his explanations as a wizard’s manual under the conceit that a modern understanding of physics would appear to be magic to contemporary humans’ distant ancestors. Expounding on the magical properties of “crystals” (i.e., minerals), he describes how magnets arise from the spinning of electrically charged electrons and how liquid crystal displays work by taking advantage of the polarization of light. The wizardry references add welcome levity to complicated discussions about how quasiparticles take on distinct properties from their constituent “elementary particles” and how magnetism shapes the structure of crystals known as “spin ice.” The prose can be dense (“Emergent quasiparticles in the fractional quantum Hall effect break the rule that all particles must be bosons or fermions”), but the bounty of helpful analogies ensures that readers are unlikely to find a more accessible primer on condensed particle physics. Those willing to tackle the challenging concepts will be well rewarded. (Mar.)