Physics: Imagination and RealityPhysics: Imagination and Reality introduces the reader to major ideas and the conceptual structure of modern physics, by tracing its development from the introduction of fields into physics by Faraday and Maxwell in the last century. Because the approach is historical, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the subjects. It should appeal to anyone interested in a basic understanding of the contemporary physicists view of the physical world. It avoids all but the simplest mathematics and presents ideas and concepts in everyday language.Physics: Imagination and Reality attempts to provide educated citizens with an understanding of contemporary physics and, at the same time, shows that its ideas have a grandeur, a challenge to the imagination and an aesthetic appeal which merit its recognition as an integral part of our culture. |
Contents
SCIENCE IN THE MODERN | 1 |
FUNDAMENTALS | 18 |
CHAPTER 3 | 26 |
FARADAY MAXWELL | 50 |
RELATIVITY THE SPECIAL | 71 |
THE GENERAL THEORY | 139 |
COSMOLOGY | 173 |
50 | 190 |
THE ROAD TO QUANTUM | 307 |
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES | 336 |
ATOMS MOLECULES | 394 |
PARTICLES | 421 |
THE ATOMIC NUCLEUS | 434 |
THE PHYSICS | 460 |
THE INFLATIONARY | 495 |
APPENDIX An Informal Dialogue Concerning | 511 |
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Common terms and phrases
acceleration angular momentum appear argument beam black hole centre charge clock collapse collision constant curvature decay decrease deduce density diagram dilation direction distance earth effect Einstein electric field electromagnetic electron electron volts emitted entropy equation equivalent example exist experiment fact frame of reference frequency galaxies gravitational field gravitational force gravitational redshift greater helium hydrogen atom imagine increase inertial frame interaction kinetic energy lines of force macroscopic magnetic field mass mathematical matter measured meson million molecules motion moving negative neutrino neutron Newton nuclear nucleons nucleus object observed orbit particles path phenomena phenomenon photon physical world physicists piston positive possible predicted principle problem proportional pulsar quantity quantum mechanics quantum theory quarks quasars question radiation radius redshift relativistic rotation shell signal simple sort space space-time speed of light spins star Suppose surface temperature theory of relativity tion universe velocity vibration wave function wavelength