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

Pask, Colin

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.

A propos du livre

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.

Détails de l'édition

• 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: Simon and Schuster Netherlands BV; info@simonandschuster.nl; ; Herculesplein 96; Utrecht; 3584 AA; Pays-Bas