Theoretical concepts in physics

An alternative view of theoretical reasoning in physics

Malcolm Longair

586 pages, parution le 10/10/2003 (2^eme édition)

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Résumé

A highly original, and truly novel, approach to theoretical reasoning in physics. This book illuminates the subject from the perspective of real physics as practised by research scientists. It is intended to be a supplement to the final years of an undergraduate course in physics and assumes that the reader has some grasp of university physics. By means of a series of seven case studies, the author conveys the excitement of research and discovery, highlighting the intellectual struggles to attain understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in physics.

Case studies include the origins of Newton's law of gravitation, Maxwell's equations, mechanics and dynamics, linear and non-linear, thermodynamics and statistical physics, the origins of the concepts of quanta, special relativity, general relativity and cosmology. The approach is the same as that in the highly acclaimed first edition, but the text has been completely revised and many new topics introduced.

Introduction
Case Study 1. The Origins of Newton's Law of motion and of Gravitaty
- From Ptolemy to Kepler - the Copernican revolution
- Galileo and the nature of the physical sciences
- Newton and the law of gravity
Case Study 2. Maxwell's Equations
- The origin of Maxwell's equations
- How to rewrite the history of electromagnetism
Case Study 3. Mechanics and Dynamics - Linear and Non-linear
- Approaches to mechanics and dynamics
- Dimensional analysis, chaos and self-organised criticality
Case Study 4. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
- Basic thermodynamics
- Kinetic theory and the origin of statistical mechanics
Case Study 5. The Origins of the Concept of Quanta
- Black-body radiation up to 1895
- 1895-1900: Planck and the spectrum of black-body radiation
- Planck's theory of black-body radiation
- Einstein and the quantisation of light
- The triumph of the quantum hypothesis
Case Study 6. Special Relativity
- Special relativity - a study of invariance
Case Study 7. General Relativity and Cosmology
- An introduction to general relativity
- The technology of cosmology
- Cosmology
- Epilogue
Index

Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Cambridge University Press
Auteur(s)	Malcolm Longair
Parution	10/10/2003
Édition	2^eme édition
Nb. de pages	586
Format	17,5 x 24,5
Couverture	Broché
Poids	1315g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780521528788
ISBN13	978-0-521-52878-8