Physics A World View

by Kirkpatrick, Larry; Wheeler, Gerald

• ISBN13: 9780030282812
• ISBN10: 0030282810
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-07-21
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

The main objective of this book is to provide non-science majors with a clear and logical presentation of some of the basic concepts and principles of classical and modern physics. To create an appropriate language for students, the authors have translated the logic, vocabulary, and values of physics into longer, less tightly structured narration that students can understand. As mathematics holds much of the beauty and power of physics, the authors have written and included a mathematical supplement, PHYSICS: A NUMERICAL WORLD VIEW, packaged free with this text.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
To the Student	xix
PROLOGUE ON BUILDING A WORLDVIEW	1	(101)
Describing Motion	4	(23)
Explaining Motion	27	(25)
Motions in Space	52	(26)
Gravity	78	(24)
INTERLUDE THE DISCOVERY OF INVARIANTS	102	(56)
Momentum	105	(24)
Energy	129	(29)
INTERLUDE THE SEARCH FOR ATOMS	158	(98)
Structure of Matter	161	(23)
States of Matter	184	(25)
Thermal Energy	209	(26)
Available Energy	235	(21)
INTERLUDE UNIVERSALITY OF MOTION	256	(76)
Classical Relativity	258	(27)
Special Relativity	285	(28)
General Relativity	313	(19)
INTERLUDE WAVES-SOMETHING ELSE THAT MOVES	332	(56)
Vibrations and Waves	334	(29)
Sound and Music	363	(25)
INTERLUDE THE MYSTERY OF LIGHT	388	(82)
Light	391	(26)
Refraction of Light	417	(30)
A Model for Light	447	(23)
INTERLUDE AN ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC WORLD	470	(78)
Electricity	473	(23)
Electric Charges in Motion	496	(23)
Electromagnetism	519	(29)
INTERLUDE THE STORY OF THE QUANTUM	548	(60)
The Early Atom	550	(29)
The Modern Atom	579	(29)
INTERLUDE THE SUBATOMIC WORLD	608	(86)
The Nucleus	610	(31)
Nuclear Energy	641	(27)
Elementary Particles	668	(26)
Epilogue the search goes on	694
Appendix A The Metric System	A-1	(1)
Appendix B Numbers Large and Small	A-4	(1)
Appendix C Noble Laureates in Physics	A-6	(1)
Answers to Odd-Numbered Questions and Exercises	A-9	(1)
Figure Credits	F-1	(1)
Glossary	G-1	(1)
Index	I-1