Best of
Physics

1983

The Ultimate Fate Of The Universe


Jamal Nazrul Islam - 1983
    To understand the universe in the far future, we must first describe its present state and structure on the grand scale, and how its present properties arose. Dr Islam explains these topics in an accessible way in the first part of the book. From this background he speculates about the future evolution of the universe and predicts the major changes that will occur. The author has largely avoided mathematical formalism and therefore the book is well suited to general readers with a modest background knowledge of physics and astronomy.

Sidelights on Relativity


Albert Einstein - 1983
    The clerk was Albert Einstein. The paper outlined his Special Theory of Relativity, a revolutionary physical theory which discarded the concept of absolute motion in favor of relative motion in the context of a four-dimensional continuum of space-time. It proved to be the most profound revolution in physics since Newton.About ten years later, building on his earlier work, Einstein formulated the General Theory of Relativity in which he offered a new solution to the great problem of gravitation, postulating the non-Euclidean character of the space-time continuum. Together, the two theories constituted a radically reoriented way of looking at the physical universe, an approach that solved many of the unresolved difficulties of classical mechanics and paved the way for great advances in 20th-century physics. This concise volume contains two addresses by Dr. Einstein outlining aspects of the theories. Ether and Relativity (1920), delivered at the University of Leyden, discusses the properties demanded of the ether of space by the theory of relativity. Geometry and Experience (1921), given at the Prussian Academy of Sciences, describes the limits within which the Euclidean or any other practical geometric system can be held to be approximately true in connection with the concept of a finite universe.Both lectures are reprinted here complete and unabridged; both express elegant ideas in simple prose devoid of complicated equations or abstruse terminology; both offer scientists and laypeople unparalleled insight into the seminal thinking of the 20th century's greatest physicist.

Understanding Thermodynamics


Hendrick C. Van Ness - 1983
    Language is informal, examples are vivid and lively, and the perspectivie is fresh. Based on lectures delivered to engineering students, this work will also be valued by scientists, engineers, technicians, businessmen, anyone facing energy challenges of the future.

Elementary Applied Partial Differential Equations: With Fourier Series And Boundary Value Problems


Richard Haberman - 1983
    Emphasizing the physical interpretation of mathematical solutions, this book introduces applied mathematics while presenting partial differential equations.

A First Course in Fluid Dynamics


A.R. Paterson - 1983
    This important discipline has applications which range from the study of the large-scale properties of the galaxies to the design of high precision engineering components. This book introduces the subject of fluid dynamics from the first principles. The first eleven chapters cover all the basic ideas of fluid mechanics, explaining carefully the modelling and mathematics needed. The last six chapters illustrate applications of this material to linearised sound and water waves, to high speed flow of air, to non-linear water waves on channels, and to aerofoil theory. Over 350 diagrams have been used to illustrate key points. Exercises are included to help develop and reinforce the reader's understanding of the material presented. References at the ends of each chapter serve not only to guide readers to more detailed texts, but also list where alternative descriptions of the salient points in the chapter may be found. This book is an undergraduate text for second or third year students of mathematics or mathematical physics, who are taking a first course in fluid dynamics.

Handbook Of Stochastic Methods For Physics, Chemistry, And The Natural Sciences


Crispin W. Gardiner - 1983
    The practical orientation and broad coverage appeal to researchers and academics working in theoretical physics, physical chemistry, and related fields.In the third edition of this classic the chapter on quantum Marcov processes has been replaced by a chapter on numerical treatment of stochastic differential equations to make the book even more valuable for practitioners.From the reviews: "Extremely well written and informative... clear, complete, and fairly rigorous treatment of a larger number of very basic concepts in stochastic theory." (Journal of Quantum Electronics)"A first class book." (Optica Acta)"Ideal for people who need a clear introduction to stochastic mathematics and their applications in physical sciencesa ] an excellent self study and reference book." (Quantnotes.com)"This well-established volume takes a supreme position [among the many books on the subject].. This extremely valuable contribution to the field of applied stochastic methods can be recommended to graduate students, researchers, and university teachers." (Optimization)

Fundamentals of Flight


Richard S. Shevell - 1983
    Frequently introduces applied aerodynamic methods and explains design integration in many chapters. Provides thorough coverage of the theory of circulation. For a sophomore/junior/senior course in aeronautics. (vs. Anderson)

The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes


Subrahmanijan Chandrasekhar - 1983
    When it was written in 1983 there was little physical evidence for the existence of black holes. Recent discoveries have only served to underscore the elegant theory developed here, and the book remains one of the clearest statements of the relevant mathematics.

Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles


Craig F. Bohren - 1983
    The authors emphasize that any discussion of the optical behavior of small particles is inseparable from a full understanding of the optical behavior of the parent material-bulk matter. To divorce one concept from the other is to render any study on scattering theory seriously incomplete. Special features and important topics covered in this book include: * Classical theories of optical properties based on idealized models * Measurements for three representative materials: magnesium oxide, aluminum, and water * An extensive discussion of electromagnetic theory * Numerous exact and approximate solutions to various scattering problems * Examples and applications from physics, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, and biophysics * Some 500 references emphasizing work done since Kerker's 1969 work on scattering theory * Computer programs for calculating scattering by spheres, coated spheres, and infinite cylinders

The Moment Of Creation: Big Bang Physics From Before The First Millisecond To The Present Universe


James S. Trefil - 1983
    Trefil employs minimal mathematics in this compelling and lucid narrative, which not only offers a remarkable view of the universe's beginnings, but also speculates about its end. 1983 edition.

The Light Fantastic


Peter Mason - 1983
    

An Elementary Primer for Gauge Theory


K. Moriyasu - 1983
    This primer explains how and why gauge theory has dramatically changed our view of the fundamental forces of nature. The text is designed for the non-specialist. A new, intuitive approach is used to make the ideas of gauge theory accessible to both scientists and students with only a background in quantum mechanics. Emphasis is placed on the physics rather than the formalism.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Engineering


Sybil P. Parker - 1983
    All include: * Pronunciation guide for every term * Acronyms, cross-references, and abbreviations * Appendices with conversion tables; listings of scientific, technical, and mathematical notation; tables of relevant data; and more * A convenient, quick-find format.

Maxwell on Saturn's Rings


James Clerk Maxwell - 1983
    The scientific problems associated with them have also attracted the attention of successive generations of theoreticians.James Clerk Maxwell's 1856 Adams Prize Essay, "On the Stability of the Motion of Saturn's Rings," forms the central body of this book and is the work that first established his reputation as one of the greatest mathematical physicists of any generation. It is surrounded by previously unpublished materials written both before and after the essay was completed. The former group consists of sixteen letters - to William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin), George Gabriel Stokes, Peter Guthrie Tait, and other friends and colleagues - written while Maxwell was working out the problems and preparing the essay for publication, and they reveal both the sureness of his approach and false starts and errors. The post-essay documents include a review of the work by George Biddell Airy, the Astronomer Royal, and correspondence with the Harvard astronomer George Bond in 1863. Here Maxwell attempts to extend his analysis to include the effects of collisions among the particles of the ring, employing his own newly developed kinetic theory of gases. The editors' introduction provides a historical context for Maxwell's contribution.

Problems In Atomic And Nuclear Physics


I. Irodov - 1983
    

General Relativity for Mathematicians


Rainer Kurt Sachs - 1983
    The readers we have in mind can be roughly described as those who: I. are mathematics graduate students with some knowledge of global differential geometry 2. have had the equivalent of freshman physics, and find popular accounts of astrophysics and cosmology interesting 3. appreciate mathematical elarity, but are willing to accept physical motiva tions for the mathematics in place of mathematical ones 4. are willing to spend time and effort mastering certain technical details, such as those in Section 1. 1. Each book disappoints so me readers. This one will disappoint: 1. physicists who want to use this book as a first course on differential geometry 2. mathematicians who think Lorentzian manifolds are wholly similar to Riemannian ones, or that, given a sufficiently good mathematical back ground, the essentials of a subject !ike cosmology can be learned without so me hard work on boring detaiis 3. those who believe vague philosophical arguments have more than historical and heuristic significance, that general relativity should somehow be "proved," or that axiomatization of this subject is useful 4. those who want an encyclopedic treatment (the books by Hawking-Ellis [1], Penrose [1], Weinberg [1], and Misner-Thorne-Wheeler [I] go further into the subject than we do; see also the survey article, Sachs-Wu [1]). 5. mathematicians who want to learn quantum physics or unified fieId theory (unfortunateIy, quantum physics texts all seem either to be for physicists, or merely concerned with formaI mathematics)."

Low Reynolds Number Hydrodynamics: With Special Applications to Particulate Media


John Happel - 1983
    Classical hydrodynamics is largely concerned with perfect fluids which unfortunately exert no forces on the particles past which they move. Practical approaches to subjects like fluidization, sedimentation, and flow through porous media abound in much useful but uncorrelated empirical information. The present book represents an attempt to bridge this gap by providing at least the beginnings of a rational approach to fluid particle dynamics, based on first principles. From the pedagogic viewpoint it seems worthwhile to show that the Navier-Stokes equations, which form the basis of all systematic texts, can be employed for useful practical applications beyond the elementary problems of laminar flow in pipes and Stokes law for the motion of a single particle. Although a suspension may often be viewed as a continuum for practical purposes, it really consists of a discrete collection of particles immersed in an essentially continuous fluid. Consideration of the actual detailed boundary value problems posed by this viewpoint may serve to call attention to the limitation of idealizations which apply to the overall transport properties of a mixture of fluid and solid particles.

McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Physics


Sybil P. Parker - 1983
    It also details some of the most recent advances and breakthroughs in theoretical and experimental research. A scholarly but accessible introduction to the world of physics for the serious student and nonspecialist alike. Copiously illustrated with graphs, charts, photographs, and line drawings.

Introduction to Cosmology


Jayant V. Narlikar - 1983
    It begins with an introduction to cosmology and general relativity, and goes on to cover the mathematical models of standard cosmology. The physical aspects of cosmology, including primordial nucleosynthesis, the astroparticle physics of inflation, and the current ideas on structure formation are discussed. Alternative models of cosmology are reviewed, including the model of Quasi-Steady State Cosmology, which has recently been proposed as an alternative to Big Bang Cosmology.