The Self-Made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in Nature - Couverture rigide

Ball, Philip

 
9780198502449: The Self-Made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in Nature
Couverture rigide
ISBN 10 : 0198502443 ISBN 13 : 9780198502449
Editeur : Oxford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

This text explains how nature's patterns - the markings on animals, windblown ripples of sand, the forms of water in motion - are woven by self-organization, through simple, local interactions between their component parts. The products of self-organization are universal patterns: spirals, spots and stripes, branches and honeycombs.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

Why do similar patterns and forms appear in nature in settings that seem to bear no relation to one another? The windblown ripples of desert sand follow a sinuous course that resemles the stripes of a zebra or a marine fish. In the trellis-like shells of microscopic sea creatures we see the same angles and intersections as for bubble walls in a foam. The forks of lightning mirror the branches of a river or a tree. l This book explains why these are no coincidences. Nature commonly weaves its tapestry by self-organization, employing no master plan or blueprint but by simple, local interactions between its component parts - be they grains of sand, diffusing molecules or living cells - give rise to spontaneous patters that are at the same time complex and beautiful. Many of these patterns are universal: spirals, spots, and stripes, branches, honeycombs. Philip Ball conducts a profusely illustrated tour of this gallery, and reveals the secrets of how nature's patterns are made.

Revue de presse

"Philip Ball has produced a superb book about patterns in nature, The Self-Made Tapestry. From the ribbed desert sands to tree-form streaks of lightening, countless examples give rise to fascinating reflections on the astounding order that exists amid chaos. Lavishly illustrated, this is a stunning book." (The Sunday Times)

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
Oxford University Press
Date d'édition
1998
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0198502443
ISBN 13 
9780198502449
Reliure
Relié
Nombre de pages
320
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
Messaggerie Libri
ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it

Via Verdi, 8
Assago Milano
Italie

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9780198502432: The Self-Made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in Nature

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  0198502435 ISBN 13 :  9780198502432
Editeur : Oxford University Press, 2001
Couverture souple