Great ideas in physics

書誌事項

Great ideas in physics

Alan Lightman

McGraw-Hill, c1992

  • : hard cover
  • : soft cover

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注記

Includes bibliographical references and index

内容説明・目次

内容説明

This is an interdisciplinary textbook in physics for non-science majors and is accessible to students with little science background. The text focuses on four ideas: the conservation of energy, the second law of thermodynamics, the relativity of time, and the wave-particle duality of nature. Each idea, occupying a separate chapter, is first discussed in its scientific terms. The treatment uses only pre-calculus mathematics. The new edition contains quantitative problems with solutions, though emphasis is placed on concepts, rathter than facts. Each idea is also discussed in terms of its direct impact on the humanities, using excerpts from science greats as well as famous authors and philosophers.

目次

  • Part 1 The conservation of energy: conservation laws
  • gravitational energy
  • kinetic energy
  • units length, mass, weight and energy
  • conservation laws and human freedom
  • heat energy
  • the conservation of energy and the limited lifetime of the world
  • reactions to possible violations of the conservation of energy. Part 2 The second law of thermodynamics (increase of disorder in the world): reversible and irreversible phenomena
  • states of a system and probability of configurations
  • mechanical energy and heat
  • the irreversible flow of heat
  • doing work with heat
  • entropy and order
  • resistance to the implications of the Second Law
  • the Second Law applied to human society
  • the Second Law used to refute the theory of evolution. Part 3 The relativity of time: relativity in brief
  • science leading to the theory of relativity - abolition of absolute space and time
  • Einstein's approach to science
  • the influence of the theory of relativity on literature
  • relativity and sculpture. Part 4 The wave-particle duality of nature (quantum theory): waves
  • the photoelectric effect
  • the double-slit experiment
  • the role of the observer and the nature of reality
  • quantum physics and language
  • the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the demise of determinism in science
  • determinism, causality, and choice in the quantum world. Appendices: a review of some basic mathematics
  • the Second Law of thermodynamics and the behaviour of systems with large numbers of molecules.

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詳細情報

  • NII書誌ID(NCID)
    BA17081077
  • ISBN
    • 0070379351
    • 0070379378
  • LCCN
    91027027
  • 出版国コード
    us
  • タイトル言語コード
    eng
  • 本文言語コード
    eng
  • 出版地
    New York
  • ページ数/冊数
    xi, 250 p.
  • 大きさ
    25 cm
  • 分類
  • 件名
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