Symmetry A Very Short Introduction

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Symmetry: A Very Short Introduction

Ian Stewart
Symmetry A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Ian Stewart
Publisher : OUP Oxford
Page : 152 pages
File Size : 45,8 Mb
Release : 2013-05-30
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : 9780191652745

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Symmetry: A Very Short Introduction by Ian Stewart Pdf

In the 1800s mathematicians introduced a formal theory of symmetry: group theory. Now a branch of abstract algebra, this subject first arose in the theory of equations. Symmetry is an immensely important concept in mathematics and throughout the sciences, and its applications range across the entire subject. Symmetry governs the structure of crystals, innumerable types of pattern formation, how systems change their state as parameters vary; and fundamental physics is governed by symmetries in the laws of nature. It is highly visual, with applications that include animal markings, locomotion, evolutionary biology, elastic buckling, waves, the shape of the Earth, and the form of galaxies. In this Very Short Introduction, Ian Stewart demonstrates its deep implications, and shows how it plays a major role in the current search to unify relativity and quantum theory. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction

Timothy Gowers
Mathematics A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Timothy Gowers
Publisher : Oxford Paperbacks
Page : 172 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2002-08-22
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : 0192853619

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Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction by Timothy Gowers Pdf

The aim of this volume is to explain the differences between research-level mathematics and the maths taught at school. Most differences are philosophical and the first few chapters are about general aspects of mathematical thought.

Philosophy of Physics

David Wallace
Philosophy of Physics Book PDF

Author : David Wallace
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 169 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2021
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780198814320

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Philosophy of Physics by David Wallace Pdf

Philosophy of physics is concerned with the deepest theories of modern physics - quantum theory, our theories of space, time and symmetry, and thermal physics - and their strange, even bizarre conceptual implications. This book explores the core topics in philosophy of physics, and discusses their relevance for both scientists and philosophers.

Time: A Very Short Introduction

Jenann Ismael
Time A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Jenann Ismael
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 137 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2021-10-28
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780192568953

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Time: A Very Short Introduction by Jenann Ismael Pdf

What is time? What does it mean for time to pass? Is it possible to travel in time? What is the difference between the past and future? Until the work of Newton, these questions were purely topics of philosophical speculation. Since then we've learned a great deal about time, and its study has moved from a subject of philosophical reflection to instead became part of the subject matter of physics. This Very Short Introduction introduces readers to the current physical understanding of the direction of time, from the Second Law of Thermodynamics to the emergence of complexity and life. Jenann Ismael charts the line of development in physical theory from Newton, via Einstein's Theory of Relativity, to the current day. Einstein's innovations led to a vision of time very different from the familiar time of everyday sense. In this new vision, time is one of the dimensions in which the universe is extended alongside the spatial dimensions. The universe appears as a static block of events, in which there is no more a difference between past and future than there is between east and west. Discussing the controversy and philosophical confusion which surrounded the reception of this new vision, Ismael also covers the contemporary mixture of statistical mechanics, cognitive science, and phenomenology that point the way to reconciling the familiar time of everyday sense with the vision of time presented in Einstein's theories. Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Crystallography: A Very Short Introduction

A. M. Glazer
Crystallography A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : A. M. Glazer
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 2016-03-24
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780191027123

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Crystallography: A Very Short Introduction by A. M. Glazer Pdf

Crystals have fascinated us for centuries with their beauty and symmetry, and have often been invested with magical powers. The use of X-ray diffraction, first pioneered in 1912 by father and son William and Lawrence Bragg, enabled us to probe the structure of molecules, and heralded the scientific study of crystals, leading to an understanding of their atomic arrangements at a fundamental level. The new discipline, called X-ray crystallography, has subsequently evolved into a formidable science that underpins many other scientific areas. Starting from the determination of the structures of very simple crystals, such as that of common salt, today it has become almost routine to determine the positions of tens of thousands of atoms in a crystal. In this Very Short Introduction Mike Glazer shows how the discoveries in crystallography have been applied to the creation of new and important materials, to drugs and pharmaceuticals and to our understanding of genetics, cell biology, proteins, and viruses. Tracing the history of crystallography, he analyses astonishing developments in new sources of X-rays, as well as of neutrons, and in electron microscopy, and considers the impact they have on the study of crystals today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Geometry: A Very Short Introduction

Maciej Dunajski
Geometry A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Maciej Dunajski
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 177 pages
File Size : 46,8 Mb
Release : 2022-01-27
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : 9780191506611

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Geometry: A Very Short Introduction by Maciej Dunajski Pdf

The study of geometry is at least 2500 years old, and it is within this field that the concept of mathematical proof - deductive reasoning from a set of axioms - first arose. To this day geometry remains a very active area of research in mathematics. This Very Short Introduction covers the areas of mathematics falling under geometry, starting with topics such as Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, and ranging to curved spaces, projective geometry in Renaissance art, and geometry of space-time inside a black hole. Starting from the basics, Maciej Dunajski proceeds from concrete examples (of mathematical objects like Platonic solids, or theorems like the Pythagorean theorem) to general principles. Throughout, he outlines the role geometry plays in the broader context of science and art. Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Physics: A Very Short Introduction

Sidney Perkowitz
Physics A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Sidney Perkowitz
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 152 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2019-07-25
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780192543578

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Physics: A Very Short Introduction by Sidney Perkowitz Pdf

Physics, the fundamental science of matter and energy, encompasses all levels of nature from the subatomic to the cosmic, and underlies much of the technology around us. Understanding the physics of our universe is an essential aspect of humanity's quest to understand our environment and our place within it. Doing physics enables us to explore the interaction between environment and human society, and can help us to work towards the future sustainability of the planet. This Very Short Introduction provides an overview of how this pervasive science came to be and how it works: who funds it, how physicists are trained and how they think, and how physics supports the technology we all use. Sidney Perkowitz presents the theories and outcomes of pure and applied physics from ideas of the Greek natural philosophers to modern quantum mechanics, cosmology, digital electronics and energy production. Considering its most consequential experiments, including recent results in elementary particles, gravitational waves and materials science, he also discusses outside the lab, the effects of physics on society, culture, and humanity's vision of its place in the universe. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Fractals: A Very Short Introduction

Kenneth Falconer
Fractals A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Kenneth Falconer
Publisher : OUP Oxford
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2013-09-26
Category : Mathematics
ISBN : 9780191663444

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Fractals: A Very Short Introduction by Kenneth Falconer Pdf

Many are familiar with the beauty and ubiquity of fractal forms within nature. Unlike the study of smooth forms such as spheres, fractal geometry describes more familiar shapes and patterns, such as the complex contours of coastlines, the outlines of clouds, and the branching of trees. In this Very Short Introduction, Kenneth Falconer looks at the roots of the 'fractal revolution' that occurred in mathematics in the 20th century, presents the 'new geometry' of fractals, explains the basic concepts, and explores the wide range of applications in science, and in aspects of economics. This is essential introductory reading for students of mathematics and science, and those interested in popular science and mathematics. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Infinity

Ian Stewart
Infinity Book PDF

Author : Ian Stewart
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2017
Category : Infinite
ISBN : 9780198755234

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Infinity by Ian Stewart Pdf

Infinity is an intriguing topic, with connections to religion, philosophy, metaphysics, logic, and physics as well as mathematics. Its history goes back to ancient times, with especially important contributions from Euclid, Aristotle, Eudoxus, and Archimedes. The infinitely large (infinite) isintimately related to the infinitely small (infinitesimal). Cosmologists consider sweeping questions about whether space and time are infinite. Philosophers and mathematicians ranging from Zeno to Russell have posed numerous paradoxes about infinity and infinitesimals. Many vital areas ofmathematics rest upon some version of infinity. The most obvious, and the first context in which major new techniques depended on formulating infinite processes, is calculus. But there are many others, for example Fourier analysis and fractals.In this Very Short Introduction, Ian Stewart discusses infinity in mathematics while also drawing in the various other aspects of infinity and explaining some of the major problems and insights arising from this concept. He argues that working with infinity is not just an abstract, intellectualexercise but that it is instead a concept with important practical everyday applications, and considers how mathematicians use infinity and infinitesimals to answer questions or supply techniques that do not appear to involve the infinite.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, andenthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Particle Physics: a Very Short Introduction

Frank Close
Particle Physics a Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Frank Close
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 177 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2023-11-23
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780192873750

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Particle Physics: a Very Short Introduction by Frank Close Pdf

Following the discovery of the Higgs boson, Frank Close has produced this major revision to his classic and compelling introduction to the fundamental particles that make up the universe.

Soft Matter: A Very Short Introduction

Tom McLeish
Soft Matter A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Tom McLeish
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2020-10-22
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780192533906

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Soft Matter: A Very Short Introduction by Tom McLeish Pdf

Soft Matter science is concerned with soft materials such as polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, and foams, and has emerged as a rich interdisciplinary field over the last 30 years. Drawing on physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering, soft matter links fundamental scientific ideas to everyday phenomena. One such example is 'polymers', encountered in plastic materials and melted cheese, which illustrate how 'sliminess' emerges from the flow and form of giant molecules. This Very Short Introduction delves into the field of soft matter, looking beneath the appearances of matter into its inner structure. Tom McLeish shows how Brownian Motion - the random local motion of molecules that gives rise to 'heat' - is an underlying principle of soft matter. From hair conditioner to honey, he discusses how the shared physical properties and characteristics of these materials influence the way they behave, and their industrial applications. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Minerals: A Very Short Introduction

David Vaughan
Minerals A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : David Vaughan
Publisher : OUP Oxford
Page : 144 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2014-10-23
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780191505324

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Minerals: A Very Short Introduction by David Vaughan Pdf

Minerals existed long before any forms of life, playing a key role in the origin and evolution of life; an interaction with biological systems that we are only now beginning to understand. Exploring the traditional strand of mineralogy, which emphasises the important mineral families, the well-established analytical methods (optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction) and the dramatic developments made in techniques over recent decades, David Vaughan also introduces the modern strand of mineralogy, which explores the role minerals play in the plate tectonic cycle and how they interact with the living world. Demonstrating how minerals can be critical for human health and illness by providing essential nutrients and releasing poisons, Vaughan explores the multitude of ways in which minerals have aided our understanding of the world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Crystallography

Anthony Michael Glazer
Crystallography Book PDF

Author : Anthony Michael Glazer
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 169 pages
File Size : 45,9 Mb
Release : 2016
Category : Crystallography
ISBN : 9780198717591

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Crystallography by Anthony Michael Glazer Pdf

A long history -- Symmetry -- Crystal structures -- Diffraction -- Seeing atoms -- Sources of radiation

Condensed Matter Physics: A Very Short Introduction

Ross H. McKenzie
Condensed Matter Physics A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Ross H. McKenzie
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 177 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2023-04-25
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780192584137

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Condensed Matter Physics: A Very Short Introduction by Ross H. McKenzie Pdf

There are many more states of matter than just solid, liquid, and gas. Examples include liquid crystal, magnet, glass, and superconductor. New states are continually, and unexpectedly, being discovered. Some states, such as superconductor, can act like Schrödinger's cat and exhibit the weirdness normally associated with the quantum theory of atoms, photons, and electrons. Condensed matter physics seeks to understand how states of matter and their distinct physical properties emerge from the atoms of which a material is composed. A system of many interacting parts can have properties that the parts do not have. Water is wet, but a single water molecule is not. Your brain is conscious, but a single neuron is not. Such emergent phenomena are central to condensed matter physics and also occur in many fields, from biology to computer science to sociology, leading to rich intellectual connections. When do quantitative differences become qualitative differences? Can simple models describe rich and complex behaviour? What is the relationship between the particular and the universal? How is the abstract related to the concrete? Condensed matter physics is all about these big questions. The materials in silicon chips, liquid crystal displays, and magnetic computer memories, may have transformed society, but understanding them has transformed how we think about complex systems. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Nothing: A Very Short Introduction

Frank Close
Nothing A Very Short Introduction Book PDF

Author : Frank Close
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 177 pages
File Size : 40,7 Mb
Release : 2009-06-25
Category : History
ISBN : 9780199225866

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Nothing: A Very Short Introduction by Frank Close Pdf

What is 'the void'? What remains when you take all the matter away? Can empty space - 'nothing' - exist? This text explores the science & history of the elusive void - from Aristotle's theories to black holes & quantum particles, & why our very latest discoveries about the vacuum can tell us extraordinary things about the cosmos.