The Beauty of Physics: Patterns, Principles, and Perspectives

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, General Physics, Mathematics
Cover of the book The Beauty of Physics: Patterns, Principles, and Perspectives by A. R. P. Rau, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: A. R. P. Rau ISBN: 9780191019890
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: September 25, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: A. R. P. Rau
ISBN: 9780191019890
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: September 25, 2014
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

The beauty of physics lies in its coherence in terms of a few fundamental concepts and principles. Even physicists have occasion to marvel at the overarching reach of basic principles and their ability to account for features stretching from the microscopic sub-atomic world to the cosmological expanses of the Universe. While mathematics is its natural language, physics is mostly about patterns, connections, and relations between objects and phenomena, and it is this aspect that is emphasized in this book. Since science tries to connect phenomena that at first sight appear widely different, while boiling them down to a small set of essential principles and laws, metaphor and analogy pervade our subject. Consider the pendulum, its swing from one extreme to the other often invoked in social or economic contexts. In molecular vibrations, such as in the CO2 molecule, the quantum motions of electrons and nuclei are metaphorically the pendulums. In electromagnetic radiation, including the visible light we observe, there are not even any concrete material particles, only electric and magnetic fields executing simple harmonic motion. But, to a physicist, they are all "just a pendulum". The selection of topics reflects the author's own four-decade career in research physics and his resultant perspective on the subject. While aimed primarily at physicists, including junior students, this book also addresses other readers who are willing to think with symbols and simple algebra in understanding the physical world around us. Each chapter, on themes such as dimensions, transformations, symmetries, or maps, begins with simple examples accessible to all while connecting them later to more sophisticated realizations in more advanced topics of physics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The beauty of physics lies in its coherence in terms of a few fundamental concepts and principles. Even physicists have occasion to marvel at the overarching reach of basic principles and their ability to account for features stretching from the microscopic sub-atomic world to the cosmological expanses of the Universe. While mathematics is its natural language, physics is mostly about patterns, connections, and relations between objects and phenomena, and it is this aspect that is emphasized in this book. Since science tries to connect phenomena that at first sight appear widely different, while boiling them down to a small set of essential principles and laws, metaphor and analogy pervade our subject. Consider the pendulum, its swing from one extreme to the other often invoked in social or economic contexts. In molecular vibrations, such as in the CO2 molecule, the quantum motions of electrons and nuclei are metaphorically the pendulums. In electromagnetic radiation, including the visible light we observe, there are not even any concrete material particles, only electric and magnetic fields executing simple harmonic motion. But, to a physicist, they are all "just a pendulum". The selection of topics reflects the author's own four-decade career in research physics and his resultant perspective on the subject. While aimed primarily at physicists, including junior students, this book also addresses other readers who are willing to think with symbols and simple algebra in understanding the physical world around us. Each chapter, on themes such as dimensions, transformations, symmetries, or maps, begins with simple examples accessible to all while connecting them later to more sophisticated realizations in more advanced topics of physics.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Age of Innocence by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book A Hunger Artist and Other Stories by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Liquidated Damages and Penalty Clauses by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Ian Watt by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Theory-Based Ecology by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Plant-Animal Communication by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Accountability Politics by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Epidemiology for Clinicians by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Belinda by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Oxford Textbook of Fundamentals of Surgery by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Maurice Bowra by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Hindenburg by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Hobbes on Politics and Religion by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Lobbying the European Union by A. R. P. Rau
Cover of the book Paediatric Neurology by A. R. P. Rau
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy