Part 5: The Seven Percent Solution Summary and Analysis

This chapter discusses Feynman's experiences at a time he is working on beta decay theory. At this point in his life, he feels somewhat behind the world's greatest experts in this particular field, and is somewhat self-conscious about this.

There is, at the time, a conundrum in particle decay theory. The qualities of certain subatomic particles cannot be explained with the current theory. It is later discovered things taken for granted (accepted as fact) in fact had not been sufficiently proven in the past, and turn out to be false.

From this experience, Feynman learns not to put to much trust in the general scientific consensus, and to check all the facts for himself, without accepting the "experts'" opinions.

This chapter is one of the few places where "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman...