Questioning the universe
Subtitle: concepts in physics
By: Ahren Sadoff.
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Boca Raton
Language: eng
Format: Hardback
Number of pages: 224
ISBN-13: 9781420082586
Subjects: Physics -- Popular works; Universe -- Popular works
Genres: Popular works.
Description: The typical introduction to physics leaves readers with the impression that physics is about 30 different, unconnected topics such as motion, forces, gravity, electricity, light, heat, energy, and atoms. More often than not, these readers are left to conclude that physics is mostly about boring, lifeless numbers.

Questioning the Universe: Concepts in Physics offers the nonscientist an alternative view: one that demonstrates how physics is perpetually evolving and shows how so many seemingly diverse concepts are intimately connected. In fact, one could argue that the most important ideas in modern physics are all about unification, and that these ideas are as fascinating as they are elegant.

Physicists today believe that Mother Nature is remarkably efficient and requires only a relatively small number of laws to keep her universe in working order. We may not yet know all of these laws; but at the center of physics is a faith that she is indeed understandable …and that someday, we will see her full beauty.

The purpose of this book is to tell readers the story of what we have learned about nature so far and how we have done it. Written to arouse curiosity, this compelling and readable work:

    * Delves into the most basic laws regarding motion and energy, waves and particles

    * Introduces modern theories, including relativity, quantum mechanics, and particle physics

    * Describes the key role played by that elemental building block, the atom

    * Discusses the evolution of the universe, including the formation of stars and the mystery of dark matter and dark energy

This book is not for those doing physics but is aimed at those who simply want to learn about physics, so it requires only the most minimal math. What it does require is a sense of curiosity, an appreciation of beauty, and the capacity for awe.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Each chapter ends with a Guide to Key Ideas and Questions/Problems
Table of contents: label: 1
title: UNITS AND POWERS OF TEN; label: 2
title: PHYSICS AND ITS METHODOLOGY; title: What Is Physics?; title: Methodology; label: 3
title: MOTION; title: Relating the Variables of Motion; title: Graphs of One-Dimensional Motion; title: Two-Dimensional Motion; label: 4
title: FORCES; title: The Fundamental Force; title: A Specific Force Law: Newtonian Gravity; title: How Does Force Affect Motion? Newton’s Second Law; title: Newton, the Apple, and the Moon; title: Combining Two Laws; title: The Mass of the Earth; title: Newton’s First Law; title: Newton’s Third Law; label: 5
title: ELECTROMAGNETISM; title: The Electric Force Law; title: Unifying Electricity and Magnetism; label: 6
title: THE FIELD CONCEPT; label: 7
title: THE CHARACTER OF NATURAL LAWS; label: 8
title: CONSERVATION LAWS; label: 9
title: THE HISTORY OF THE ATOM; label: 10
title: THE NUCLEUS; label: 11
title: THE NATURE OF LIGHT; label: 12
title: THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY; label: 13
title: QUANTUM MECHANICS; label: 14
title: THE STANDARD MODEL OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS; label: 15
title: COSMOLOGY