Seeking Ultimates : An Intuitive Guide to Physics, Second Edition

Seeking Ultimates takes us on a journey which explores the limits of our scientific knowledge with an emphasis on the gaps which are left. The book starts with everyday concepts such as temperature, and proceeds to energy, the Periodic Table and then to more advanced ideas. Peter Landsberg examines the nature of time and entropy, chaos, the quantum theory, cosmology and some aspects of mathematics, confirming that our understanding is necessarily incomplete. Using references to historical figures in science and thought-provoking illustration, Seeking Ultimates will encourage you to consider your scientific knowledge in a new light. You will be able to reassess your belief in 'truths' as presented for example by mathematical theorems and to reconsider philosophical issues of theology and happiness. A comprehensive glossary explains in clear language technical terms so that non-scientists can enjoy the text. Seeking Ultimates Takes Us On A Journey Which Explores The Limits Of Our Scientific Knowledge With An Emphasis On The Gaps Which Are Left. The Book Starts With Everyday Concepts Such As Temperature And Proceeds To Energy, The Periodic Table And Then To More Advanced Ideas. Peter T. Landsberg Examines The Nature Of Time And Entropy, Chaos, Quantum Theory, Cosmology And Some Aspects Of Mathematics, Confirming That Our Understanding Is Necessarily Incomplete.--book Jacket. 1. What This Book Is About -- 2. There Is No Free Lunch. Temperature And Energy: Science For The Environment / Count Rumford -- 3. Painting By Numbers. Elements And Particles: Science As Prediction / Dmitri Mendeleev -- 4. Why You Cannot Unscramble An Egg. Time And Entropy: Science And The Unity Of Knowledge / Ludwig Boltzmann -- 5. How A Butterfly Caused A Tornado. Chaos And Life: Science As Synthesis / Charles Darwin -- 6. Now You See It, Now You Don't. Quantum Theory: Science And The Invention Of Concepts / Max Planck -- 7. The Galactic Highway. Cosmology: Science As History / Albert Einstein -- 8. Weirdness Or Purity. Mathematics: Science As Numbers / Arthur Eddington -- 9. The Last Question. Does God Exist? / Blaise Pascal Peter Theodore Landsberg. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Seeking An Intuitive Guide to Physics, Second Edition takes us on a journey that explores the limits of our scientific knowledge, emphasizing the gaps that are left. The book starts with everyday concepts such as temperature, and proceeds to energy, the Periodic Table, and then to more advanced ideas. The author examines the nature of time and entropy, chaos, quantum theory, cosmology, and some aspects of mathematics, confirming that our understanding is necessarily incomplete. Using references to historical figures in science as well as thought-provoking illustrations, Seeking Ultimates encourages you to consider your scientific knowledge in a new light. You will be able to reassess your belief in "truths" as presented (such as mathematical theorems) and to reconsider philosophical issues of theology and happiness. A comprehensive glossary explains in clear language the technical terms so that nonscientists can enjoy the text. Who but a retired physics professor could create a book that combines explanations of physics concepts with philosophical discussions of happiness and scientific proofs of the existence of God? Emphasizing that our understanding is incomplete, Landsberg (emeritus physics, U. of Southhampton, UK) examines the nature of time and entropy, chaos, quantum theory, cosmology, and some aspects of mathematics. Each chapter highlights a hero of science (e.g. Count Rumford for temperature and energy and Mendeleev for elements and particles). "Seeking Ultimates takes us on a journey which explores the limits of our scientific knowledge with an emphasis on the gaps which are left. The book starts with everyday concepts such as temperature and proceeds to energy, the Periodic Table and then to more advanced ideas. Peter T. Landsberg examines the nature of time and entropy, chaos, quantum theory, cosmology and some aspects of mathematics, confirming that our understanding is necessarily incomplete."--Résumé de l'éditeur Seeking Ultimates: An Intuitive Guide to Physics, Second Edition takes us on a journey that explores the limits of our scientific knowledge, emphasizing the gaps that are left. The book starts with everyday concepts such as temperature, and proceeds to energy, the Periodic Table, and then to more advanced ideas. The author examines the nature of ti