From paradox to reality : our basic concepts of the physical world
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
From paradox to reality : our basic concepts of the physical world
Cambridge University Press, 1989
- pbk
Available at 3 libraries
Note
"First paperback edition 1989."--T.p. verso
Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This book discusses, in clear non technical language, the two major theories of twentieth-century physics: relativity and quantum mechanics. They are discussed conceptually and philosophically, rather than using mathematics, and the philosophical issues raised pertain to much of science, not only physics. The book is based on successful courses taught by the author, who shows how new discoveries forced physicists to accept often strange and unconventional notions. He aims to remove the mystery and misrepresentation that often surround the ideas of modern physics and to show how modern scientists construct theories. In this way, the reader can appreciate their successes and failures and understand problems which are as yet unsolved.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Part I. At the Roof of the Endeavor: 1. Human limitations
- 2. Theory and the role of mathematics
- 3. Scientific objectivity
- 4. The aim of scientific theory
- Part II. The World of Relativity: 5. Space and time: from absolute to relative
- 6. Imposed consistency: special relativity
- 7. Gravitation as geometry: general relativity
- 8. Revolutions without revolutions
- Part III. The Quantum World: 9. The limits of the classical world
- 10. Concepts of the quantum world
- 11. From apparent paradox to a new reality
- 12. The present state of the art
- Epilogue
- Notes
- Glossary of technical terms
- Name index
- Subject index.
by "Nielsen BookData"