Motion Mountain
Subtitle: The Adventure of Physics - Vol. III - Light, Charges and Brains
Edition: 29th edition
Series: Motion Mountain, Vol. III
Publisher: Self publishing
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Format: E-book
Number of pages: 443
Description: This book is written for anybody who is curious about nature and motion. Curiosity about how people, animals, things, images and space move leads to many adventures. This volume presents the adventures one encounters when exploring everything electric. The story ranges from the weighing of electric current to the use of magnetic fields to heal bone fractures and up to the understanding of the human brain.

In the structure of physics, shown in Figure 1, motion due to electricity is the most fascinating aspect of the starting point at the bottom. Indeed, almost everything around us is due to electric processes. The present introduction to electricity, magnetism, light and the brain is the third of a six-volume overview of physics that arose from a threefold aim that I have pursued since 1990: to present motion in a way that is simple, up to date and captivating.

In order to be simple, the text focuses on concepts, while keeping mathematics to the necessary minimum. Understanding the concepts of physics is given precedence over using formulae in calculations. The whole text is within the reach of an undergraduate.

In order to be up to date, the text is enriched by the many gems – both theoretical and empirical – that are scattered throughout the scientific literature.

In order to be captivating, the text tries to startle the reader as much as possible. Read- ing a book on general physics should be like going to a magic show. We watch, we are astonished, we do not believe our eyes, we think, and finally we understand the trick. When we look at nature, we often have the same experience. Indeed, every page presents at least one surprise or provocation for the reader to think about. Numerous interesting challenges are proposed.

The motto of the text, die Menschen stärken, die Sachen klären, a famous statement by Hartmut von Hentig on pedagogy, translates as: ‘To fortify people, to clarify things.’ Clarifying things – and adhering only to the truth – requires courage, as changing the habits of thought produces fear, often hidden by anger. But by overcoming our fears we grow in strength. And we experience intense and beautiful emotions. All great adventures in life allow this, and exploring motion is one of them. Enjoy it!
Notes: Volume 3 of 6.
Table of contents: title: Liquid electricity, invisible fields and maximum speed
label: Chapter 1; title: The description of electromagnetic field evolution
label: Chapter 2; title: What is light?
label: Chapter 3; title: Images and the eye - optics
label: Chapter 4; title: Electromagnetic effects
label: Chapter 5; title: Summary and limits of classical electrodynamics
label: Chapter 6; title: The story of the brain
label: Chapter 7; title: Thought and language
label: Chapter 8; title: Concepts, lies and patterns of nature
label: Chapter 9; title: Classical physics in a nutshell
label: Chapter 10