Best of
Physics

2008

The Black Hole War: My Battle with Stephen Hawking to Make the World Safe for Quantum Mechanics


Leonard Susskind - 2008
    Most scientists didn't recognize the import of Hawking's claims, but Leonard Susskind and Gerard t'Hooft realized the threat, and responded with a counterattack that changed the course of physics.The Black Hole War is the thrilling story of their united effort to reconcile Hawking's revolutionary theories of black holes with their own sense of reality -- effort that would eventually result in Hawking admitting he was wrong, paying up, and Susskind and t'Hooft realizing that our world is a hologram projected from the outer boundaries of space.A brilliant book about modern physics, quantum mechanics, the fate of stars and the deep mysteries of black holes, Leonard Susskind's account of the Black Hole War is mind-bending and exhilarating reading.

Physics of the Impossible


Michio Kaku - 2008
    In Physics of the Impossible, the renowned physicist Michio Kaku explores to what extent the technologies and devices of science fiction that are deemed equally impossible today might well become commonplace in the future.From teleportation to telekinesis, Kaku uses the world of science fiction to explore the fundamentals—and the limits—of the laws of physics as we know them today. He ranks the impossible technologies by categories—Class I, II, and III, depending on when they might be achieved, within the next century, millennia, or perhaps never. In a compelling and thought-provoking narrative, he explains:· How the science of optics and electromagnetism may one day enable us to bend light around an object, like a stream flowing around a boulder, making the object invisible to observers “downstream”· How ramjet rockets, laser sails, antimatter engines, and nanorockets may one day take us to the nearby stars· How telepathy and psychokinesis, once considered pseudoscience, may one day be possible using advances in MRI, computers, superconductivity, and nanotechnology· Why a time machine is apparently consistent with the known laws of quantum physics, although it would take an unbelievably advanced civilization to actually build oneKaku uses his discussion of each technology as a jumping-off point to explain the science behind it. An extraordinary scientific adventure, Physics of the Impossible takes readers on an unforgettable, mesmerizing journey into the world of science that both enlightens and entertains.

Icarus at the Edge of Time


Brian Greene - 2008
    The beauty of the book lies in the images, provided by NASA and the Hubble Space telescope, and printed on board rather than paper.

Cosmology


Steven Weinberg - 2008
    It divides into two parts, each of which provides enough material for a one-semester graduate course. The first part deals chiefly with the isotropic and homogeneous average universe; the second part concentrates on the departures from the average universe. Throughout the book the author presents detailed analytic calculations of cosmological phenomena, rather than just report results obtained elsewhere by numerical computation. The book is up to date, and gives detailed accounts of topics such as recombination, microwave background polarization, leptogenesis, gravitational lensing, structure formation, and multifield inflation, that are usually treated superficially if at all in treatises on cosmology. Copious references to current research literature are supplied. Appendices include a brief introduction to general relativity, and a detailed derivation of the Boltzmann equation for photons and neutrinos used in calculations of cosmological evolution. Also provided is an assortment of problems.

Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists


Noson S. Yanofsky - 2008
    Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists takes readers on a tour of this fascinating area of cutting-edge research. Written in an accessible yet rigorous fashion, this book employs ideas and techniques familiar to every student of computer science. The reader is not expected to have any advanced mathematics or physics background. After presenting the necessary prerequisites, the material is organized to look at different aspects of quantum computing from the specific standpoint of computer science. There are chapters on computer architecture, algorithms, programming languages, theoretical computer science, cryptography, information theory, and hardware. The text has step-by-step examples, more than two hundred exercises with solutions, and programming drills that bring the ideas of quantum computing alive for today's computer science students and researchers.

Physical Biology of the Cell


Rob Phillips - 2008
    Drawing on key examples and seminal experiments from cell biology, the book demonstrates how quantitative models can help refine our understanding of existing biological data and also be used to make useful predictions. The book blends traditional models in cell biology with the quantitative approach typical in physics, in order to introduce the reader to both the possibilities and boundaries of the emerging field of physical biology. While teaching physical model building in cell biology through a practical, case-study approach, the text explores how quantitative modeling can be used to build a more profound, intuitive understanding of cell biology.

The British Medical Association Illustrated Medical Dictionary


Ann Peters - 2008
    It includes the latest information on anatomical terms, disorders, tests and drugs.

Schroedinger's Universe and the Origin of the Natural Laws


Milo Wolff - 2008
    When he and Einstein debated the particle theorists led by Neils Bohr, most scientists thought they had lost it. This book shows they were right; that all matter is one Wave Structure in the space of the Universe. If the stars did not exist, we could not exist.

International A/AS Level Physics


Brian Arnold - 2008
    The book covers the main theoretical concepts and current applications of physics, and has a strong emphasis on the required practical skills. Fostering creative thinking and problem-solving, it provides an excellent resource for those wishing to study physics at university level, or to follow a career in science. The author team includes experienced examiners and teachers who have worked together to ensure that the material is approachable to students from the very start of their course, and gives them all the guidance and information needed to enable them to face their exams with confidence.

An Introductory Course of Statistical Mechanics


Palash B. Pal - 2008
    This paves the way to various applications of statistical mechanics to areas like Astrophysics and Cosmology. Non-relativistic systems and their applications to Condensed Matter Physics are not abandoned either: there are discussions on gases, liquids and magnetic systems. The book ends with one chapter on Phase Transitions and one on Boltzmann equation offering perspective encompassing many branches of Physics.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vols 13-14


Richard P. Feynman - 2008
    Feynman’s Lectures on Physics has been known worldwide as a classic resource for students and professionals. Responding to the interest in the source materialfrom which the Lectures on Physics were transcribed, Basic Books is releasing Feynman’s original recordings. These CDs will serve as a library of essential physics by a scientific legend.

General Relativity and the Einstein Equations


Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat - 2008
    It is believed that General Relativity models our cosmos, with a manifold of dimensions possibly greater than four and debatable topology opening a vast field of investigation for mathematicians and physicists alike. Remarkable conjectures have been proposed, many results have been obtained but many fundamental questions remain open. In this monograph, aimed at researchers in mathematics and physics, the author overviews the basic ideas in General Relativity, introduces the necessary mathematics and discusses some of the key open questions in the field.

From Here to Infinity: A Beginner's Guide to Astronomy


John Gribbin - 2008
    This riveting journey moves from our home planet outwards to the Moon, Sun, Inner and Outer Solar Systems, Milky Way, and other galaxies. Not only do the Gribbins discuss the always-intriguing topic of alien life, but they divulge little-known facts (Venus is the only planet in our solar system to rotate backwards), as well as all the basics beginning armchair astronomers need to know. Dramatic four-color photographs complement the informative text, giving readers a sense of what it might be like to be an astronaut…and go where no one has gone before.

Physics for the Ib Diploma Full Colour


K.A. Tsokos - 2008
    This best-selling fifth edition is now available in full colour. It has been written for the IB student and covers the entire IB syllabus, including all the options at both Standard Level and Higher Level. The student-friendly design makes this comprehensive book easy to use and the accessible language ensures that the material is also suitable for students whose first language is not English. It includes: answers to the end-of-chapter questions; worked examples highlighting important results, laws, definitions and formulae; and a glossary of key terms.

Advanced Physics


Steve Adams - 2008
    It is increasingly acknowledged that many of the problems students experience with A-Level physics are associated with the mathematics involved. This book deals with the problem head-on with full support for mathematics in physics. Maths boxes have been created within the text to pull out the mathematics needed to grasp a particular concept. A complete appendix at the end of the book has also been added to offer the extra mathematical support needed. Each book comes with a free CD-ROM to help with specification planning

Quanta, Matter and Change: A Molecular Approach to Physical Chemistry


Peter Atkins - 2008
    True to the authors' philosophy as outlined in the preface, it approaches physical chemistry by first developing the quantum theory of molecular electronic structure, then by statistical arguments moves into thermodynamics, and thence to kinetics."- Peter Taylor, Review in Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry), July 31, 2009.

The Oxford Companion to Cosmology


Andrew Liddle - 2008
    In more than 350 in-depth entries, Andrew Liddle and Jon Loveday cover the entire scope of this cutting-edge field, from cosmic rays and dark energy to Higgs bosons and neutrinos. Beginning with an introductory essay on Hot Big Bang Cosmology, the Companion illuminates the ideas behind our current understanding of the universe, outlines some of the fundamental physics from which those ideas emerge, and discusses the many strands of observational evidence available to the modern cosmologist. The authors tackle such fascinating topics as anti-matter, the age of the universe, black holes, quasars, and radio galaxies. The book also features biographical profiles of major scientists and informative entries on the tools of exploration such as the Cosmic Background Explorer satellite, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Keck Observatory. Extensive cross-referencing allows readers to pursue ideas throughout the book, and web links direct the reader to recommended online resources which will be regulary updated via the books companion website.

Conceptual Physics, Media Update


Paul G. Hewitt - 2008
    In Conceptual Physics Media Update,Tenth Edition, Paul Hewitt shows how a compelling text and the most advanced media can be integrated to empower professors as they bring physics to life for non-science majors, both in and out of class. About Science, Newton's First Law of Motion: Inertia, Linear Motion, Newton's Second Law of Motion: Force and Acceleration, Newton's Third Law of Motion: Action and Reaction, Momentum, Energy, Rotational Motion, Gravity, Projectile and Satellite Motion, Atomic Nature of Matter, Solids, Liquids, Gases and Plasmas, Temperature, Heat and Expansion, Heat Transfer, Change of Phase,Thermodynamics, Vibrations and Waves, Sound, Musical Sounds, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Properties of Light, Color, Reflection and Refraction, Light Waves, Light Emission, Light Quanta, The Atom and the Quantum, Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion, Special Theory of Relativity, General Theory of Relativity. Intended for those interested in learning the basics of Conceptual Physics

The Feynman Lectures on Physics on CD: Volumes 15 & 16


Richard P. Feynman - 2008
    Feynman’s Lectures on Physics has been known worldwide as a classic resource for students and professionals. Responding to the interest in the source material from which the Lectures on Physics were transcribed, Basic Books is releasing Feynman’s original recordings. These CDs will serve as a library of essential physics by a scientific legend.

Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers


David A.B. Miller - 2008
    Students will appreciate the book's applied emphasis, which illustrates theoretical concepts with examples of nanostructured materials, optics, and semiconductor devices. The many worked examples and more than 160 homework problems help students to problem solve and to practice applications of theory. Without assuming a prior knowledge of high-level physics or classical mechanics, the text introduces Schrodinger's equation, operators, and approximation methods. Systems, including the hydrogen atom and crystalline materials, are analyzed in detail. More advanced subjects, such as density matrices, quantum optics, and quantum information, are also covered. Practical applications and algorithms for the computational analysis of simple structures make this an ideal introduction to quantum mechanics for students of engineering, physics, nanotechnology, and other disciplines. Additional resources available from www.cambridge.org/9780521897839.

The Evolution of Matter


Gustave Le Bon - 2008
    Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

The Evolution of Matter: From the Big Bang to the Present Day


Igor Tolstikhin - 2008
    It describes the evolution of interstellar matter and its differentiation during the accretion of the planets and the history of the Earth. Unlike many books on geochemistry, this volume follows the chemical history of matter from the very beginning to the present, demonstrating connections in space and time. It provides also solid links from cosmochemistry to the geochemistry of Earth. The book presents comprehensive descriptions of the various isotope systematics and fractionation processes occurring naturally in the Universe, using simple equations and helpful tables of data. With a glossary of terms and over 900 references, this volume is a valuable reference for researchers and advanced students studying the chemical evolution of the Earth, the Solar System and the wider Universe.

Einstein for the 21st Century: His Legacy in Science, Art, and Modern Culture


Peter Galison - 2008
    Einstein for the 21st Century shows us why he remains a figure of fascination.In this wide-ranging collection, eminent artists, historians, scientists, and social scientists describe Einstein's influence on their work, and consider his relevance for the future. Scientists discuss how Einstein's vision continues to motivate them, whether in their quest for a fundamental description of nature or in their investigations in chaos theory; art scholars and artists explore his ties to modern aesthetics; a music historian probes Einstein's musical tastes and relates them to his outlook in science; historians explore the interconnections between Einstein's politics, physics, and philosophy; and other contributors examine his impact on the innovations of our time. Uniquely cross-disciplinary, Einstein for the 21st Century serves as a testament to his legacy and speaks to everyone with an interest in his work.The contributors are Leon Botstein, Lorraine Daston, E. L. Doctorow, Yehuda Elkana, Yaron Ezrahi, Michael L. Friedman, J�rg Fr�hlich, Peter L. Galison, David Gross, Hanoch Gutfreund, Linda D. Henderson, Dudley Herschbach, Gerald Holton, Caroline Jones, Susan Neiman, Lisa Randall, J�rgen Renn, Matthew Ritchie, Silvan S. Schweber, and A. Douglas Stone.

Mathematical Physiology I: Cellular Physiology


James Keener - 2008
    The second, more extensive part discusses particular physiological systems, with chapters on calcium dynamics, bursting oscillations and secretion, cardiac cells, muscles, intercellular communication, the circulatory system, the immune system, wound healing, the respiratory system, the visual system, hormone physiology, renal physiology, digestion, the visual system and hearing.New chapters on Calcium Dynamics, Neuroendocrine Cells and Regulation of Cell Function have been included.Reviews from first edition:Keener and Sneyd's Mathematical Physiology is the first comprehensive text of its kind that deals exclusively with the interplay between mathematics and physiology. Writing a book like this is an audacious act!-Society of Mathematical BiologyKeener and Sneyd's is unique in that it attempts to present one of the most important subfields of biology and medicine, physiology, in terms of mathematical "language", rather than organizing materials around mathematical methodology.-SIAM review

A Physicist's Guide to Mathematica


Patrick T. Tam - 2008
    Full description

Edexcel Physics for As. Graham George, Mike Benn


Mike Benn - 2008
    These audio-visual resources contain step by step instructions on how to complete the mathematical aspects of the course, offering support to students when they are working on their own and allowing them to work at their own pace. The contents of the book provides all the information necessary for a good grade at AS level, with an emphasis on understanding basic concepts, fundamental equations, key experiments and worked examples. It includes sections on 'What the examiner expects' and explanations of terms used in questions papers. The author team includes experienced examiners and teachers who have worked together to ensure that the material is approachable to students at the start of their course and gives them all the guidance and information needed to enable them to face their exams with confidence.

Chaos and Coarse Graining in Statistical Mechanics


Patrizia Castiglione - 2008
    This book presents the basic aspects of chaotic systems, with emphasis on systems composed by huge numbers of particles. Firstly, the basic concepts of chaotic dynamics are introduced, moving on to explore the role of ergodicity and chaos for the validity of statistical laws, and ending with problems characterized by the presence of more than one significant scale. Also discussed is the relevance of many degrees of freedom, coarse graining procedure, and instability mechanisms in justifying a statistical description of macroscopic bodies. Introducing the tools to characterize the non asymptotic behaviors of chaotic systems, this text will interest researchers and graduate students in statistical mechanics and chaos.

Quarks & Leptons: An Introductory Course In Modern Particle Physics [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2008] HALZEN FRANCIS ET.AL


HALZEN FRANCIS ET.AL - 2008
    & U.K.)

The Light Fantastic: A Modern Introduction to Classical and Quantum Optics


Ian R. Kenyon - 2008
    The text covers all that would be needed over a comprehensive course in optics at the advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate level. Digital cameras, LCD screens, aircraft laser gyroscopes, and the optical fibre-based internet illustrate the penetration of optics in twenty-first century life: these and many more modern applications are presented from first principles.The self-contained material allows the selection of specific themes grouped in the following way: Paraxial ray optics with matrix methods and aberrations - Interference, coherence and interferometers - Diffraction, spectrometers and Gaussian beams - Fourier optics, holography and information processing - Maxwell's theory; scattering, absorption and dispersion in bulk materials; interface behaviour - Quantum phenomena, wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle; Schroedinger analysis of spectra, photon properties - Laser principles, He: Ne to MQW lasers, applications - Detectors: photodiodes, photomultipliers, image intensifiers; response, noise and linearlty; CCDs - Fibre optics, from monomode fibre analysis to dense wavelength division multiplexing; fibre sensors - Photon-atom interactions, optical pumping, cooling and clocks - Second quantization, photon correlations, SPDC, entanglement, tests of quantum mechanics.

Collins Internet Linked Dictionary Of Physics (Collins Dictionary Of)


Derek McMonagle - 2008
    Packed with outstanding color photos and illustrations, and sporting durable flexi-bindings, these unique quick-reference books offer the minimum in size and the maximum in information.

Reexamining the Quantum-Classical Relation: Beyond Reductionism and Pluralism


Alisa Bokulich - 2008
    Focusing on the exciting field of 'quantum chaos', this book reveals that there is a subtle and complex relation between classical and quantum mechanics. It challenges the received view that classical and quantum mechanics are incommensurable, and revives another, largely forgotten tradition due to Niels Bohr and Paul Dirac. By artfully weaving together considerations from the history of science, philosophy of science, and contemporary physics, this book offers a new way of thinking about intertheory relations and scientific explanation. It will be of particular interest to historians and philosophers of science, philosophically-inclined physicists, and interested non-specialists.

Group Theory: Application to the Physics of Condensed Matter


Mildred S. Dresselhaus - 2008
    The approach centers on the conviction that teaching group theory along with applications helps students to learn, understand and use it as a springboard to more sophisticated concepts."

An Elementary Treatise on Electricity


James Clerk Maxwell - 2008
    It is supplemented by a selection of articles from his landmark book, Electricity and Magnetism. 53 figures. 6 plates. 1888 edition.

Lectures on Quantum Field Theory


Ashok Das - 2008
    The course starts with relativistic one-particle systems, and develops the basics of quantum field theory with an analysis of the representations of the Poincaré group. Canonical quantization is carried out for scalar, fermion, Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories. Covariant quantization of gauge theories is also carried out with a detailed description of the BRST symmetry. The Higgs phenomenon and the standard model of electroweak interactions are also developed systematically. Regularization and (BPHZ) renormalization of field theories as well as gauge theories are discussed in detail, leading to a derivation of the renormalization group equation. In addition, two chapters — one on the Dirac quantization of constrained systems and another on discrete symmetries — are included for completeness, although these are not covered in the two-semester course.

Electromagnetic Foundations of Electrical Engineering


J.A. Brandão Faria - 2008
    In contrast, the underlying principles have been stable for a long time and are not expected to undergo any changes. It is these electromagnetic field fundamentals that are the subject of discussion in this book with an emphasis on basic principles, concepts and governing laws that apply across the electrical engineering discipline. Electromagnetic Foundations of Electrical Engineering begins with an explanation of Maxwell's equations, from which the fundamental laws and principles governing the static and time-varying electric and magnetic fields are derived. Results for both slowly- and rapidly-varying electromagnetic field problems are discussed in detail.Key aspects:Offers a project portfolio, with detailed solutions included on the companion website, which draws together aspects from various chapters so as to ensure comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals. Provides end-of-chapter homework problems with a focus on engineering applications. Progresses chapter by chapter to increasingly more challenging topics, allowing the reader to grasp the more simple phenomena and build upon these foundations. Enables the reader to attain a level of competence to subsequently progress to more advanced topics such as electrical machines, power system analysis, electromagnetic compatibility, microwaves and radiation. This book is aimed at electrical engineering students and faculty staff in sub-disciplines as diverse as power and energy systems, circuit theory and telecommunications. It will also appeal to existing electrical engineering professionals with a need for a refresher course in electromagnetic foundations.