Great Calculations: A Surprising Look Behind 50 Scientific Inquiries - Couverture souple

Pask, Colin

 
9781633880283: Great Calculations: A Surprising Look Behind 50 Scientific Inquiries
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 1633880281 ISBN 13 : 9781633880283
Editeur : Prometheus Books, 2015

Synopsis

Science is based not only on observation and experiment, but on theory as well. As Einstein said, “Theory tells us what to measure.” And theories are often crystallized into succinct calculations, like those made using Einstein's famous E = mc2. This book looks at fifty such great calculations, exploring how and why they were developed and assessing their impact on the history of science.

As the author shows, many significant scientific calculations are quite simple and fairly easy to understand, even for readers will little math background. But their implications can be surprising and profound.

For example, what links a famous comet and the cost of an annuity? Why do scientists claim there is “dark matter” in the universe if it can’t be observed? How does carbon-based life on Earth depend on a quirk of nuclear physics? The answer to each question is an illuminating calculation. 

This accessible, engaging book will help you understand these breakthroughs and how they changed our view of life and the world.

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

À propos de l?auteur

Colin Pask is the author of Magnificent Principia: Exploring Isaac Newton’s Masterpiece and Math for the Frightened: Facing Scary Symbols and Everything Else That Freaks You Out about Mathematics. He is an emeritus professor of mathematics and a visiting fellow and professor in the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, Australia.

À propos de la quatrième de couverture

Science is based not only on observation and experiment, but on theory as well. As Einstein said, Theory tells us what to measure. And theories are often crystallized into succinct calculations, like those made using Einstein's famous E = mc2. This book looks at fifty such great calculations, exploring how and why they were developed and assessing their impact on the history of science.

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

Éditeur
Prometheus Books
Date d'édition
2015
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
1633880281
ISBN 13 
9781633880283
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
414
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible