Stephen Hawking's discoveries include the idea that black holes give off radiation, or energy, and can eventually shrink and vanish. He was also the first person to explain the universe's origins using quantum physics, or the behaviour of tiny atoms and particles, combined with Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, which explains how gravity, space, and time are related to each other. This book looks at Hawking's life and work, and shows how his discoveries both influenced society and contributed to the work of other scientists working in the field of physics. Part of the Extraordinary Scientists series.