“Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein Physics is the science which ties together all others, aiming to explain the nature of the universe from the smallest subatomic particles to vast galaxies and the very nature of space-time. It represents human intellectual endeavour at its most ambitious. This book traces the development of physics, from the natural philosophers of the ancient world to cutting-edge experiments in quantum mechanics. Topics include: • The nature of matter - first theorized as atoms 2,500 years ago • Light and optics • Masses and forces • The bizarre subatomic world of quantum mechanics • Our fascination with the stars • The universe around us, from the Big Bang to distant galaxies.  Beautifully illustrated throughout