The Foundations Of Physics

Author : Anthony Aguirre,Brendan Foster,Zeeya Merali
Publisher : Springer
Page : 274 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2015-01-24
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783319130453

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Questioning the Foundations of Physics by Anthony Aguirre,Brendan Foster,Zeeya Merali Pdf

The essays in this book look at way in which the fundaments of physics might need to be changed in order to make progress towards a unified theory. They are based on the prize-winning essays submitted to the FQXi essay competition “Which of Our Basic Physical Assumptions Are Wrong?”, which drew over 270 entries. As Nobel Laureate physicist Philip W. Anderson realized, the key to understanding nature’s reality is not anything “magical”, but the right attitude, “the focus on asking the right questions, the willingness to try (and to discard) unconventional answers, the sensitive ear for phoniness, self-deception, bombast, and conventional but unproven assumptions.” The authors of the eighteen prize-winning essays have, where necessary, adapted their essays for the present volume so as to (a) incorporate the community feedback generated in the online discussion of the essays, (b) add new material that has come to light since their completion and (c) to ensure accessibility to a broad audience of readers with a basic grounding in physics. The Foundational Questions Institute, FQXi, catalyzes, supports, and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology, particularly new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, but unlikely to be supported by conventional funding sources.

Author : Steve Adams
Publisher : Mercury Learning and Information
Page : 994 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2023-03-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781683929680

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Foundations of Physics by Steve Adams Pdf

This updated edition is designed as a self-teaching, calculus-based introduction to the concepts of physics. Numerous examples, applications, and figures provide readers with simple explanations. Standard topics include vectors, conservation of energy, Newton’s Laws, momentum, motion, gravity, relativity, waves, fluid mechanics, circuits, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and more. FEATURES: Designed as a calculus-based, introduction to the key concepts of physics Practical techniques, including the collection, presentation, analysis and evaluation of data, are discussed in the context of key experiments linked to the theoretical spine of the work

Author : Robert Bruce Lindsay,Henry Margenau
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 1981
Category : Mathematical physics
ISBN : 091802417X

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Foundations of Physics by Robert Bruce Lindsay,Henry Margenau Pdf

Author : Steven Weinberg
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 325 pages
File Size : 46,8 Mb
Release : 2021-04-22
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781108841764

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Foundations of Modern Physics by Steven Weinberg Pdf

Nobel Laureate Steven Weinberg explains the foundations of modern physics in historical context for undergraduates and beyond.

Author : Mario Bunge
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 312 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2013-03-13
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783642492877

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Foundations of Physics by Mario Bunge Pdf

This is not an introduction to physics but an analysis of its founda tions. Indeed, the aims of this book are: (1) to analyze the form and content of some of the key ideas of physics; (2) to formulate several basic physical theories in an explicit and orderly (i. e. , axiomatic) fashion; (3) to exhibit their presuppositions and discuss some of their philosoph ical implications; (4) to discuss some of the controversial issues, and (5) to debunk certain dusty philosophical tenets that obscure the under standing of physics and hinder its progress. To the extent to which these goals are attained, the volume can serve as a companion to studies in theoretical physics aiming at deepening the understanding of the logical structure and the physical meaning of our science. In order to keep the book slender, whole fields of basic physical research had to be excluded - chiefly many-body physics, quantum field theories, and elementary particle theories. A large coverage was believed to be less important than a comparatively detailed analysis and reconstruction of three representative monuments: classical mechan ics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, as well as their usually unrecognized presuppositions. The reader is invited to join the project and supply some of the many missing chapters - or to rewrite the present ones entirely.

Author : Rudolf Carnap
Publisher : Courier Corporation
Page : 336 pages
File Size : 53,5 Mb
Release : 2012-07-11
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780486140865

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An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science by Rudolf Carnap Pdf

Stimulating, thought-provoking text by one of the 20th century's most creative philosophers makes accessible such topics as probability, measurement and quantitative language, causality and determinism, theoretical laws and concepts, more.

Author : Peter Rowlands
Publisher : World Scientific
Page : 738 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 2007
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789812709158

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Zero to Infinity by Peter Rowlands Pdf

Unique in its field, this book uses a methodology that is entirely new, creating the simplest and most abstract foundations for physics to date. The author proposes a fundamental description of process in a universal computational rewrite system, leading to an irreducible form of relativistic quantum mechanics from a single operator. This is not only simpler, and more fundamental, but also seemingly more powerful than any other quantum mechanics formalism available. The methodology finds immediate applications in particle physics, theoretical physics and theoretical computing. In addition, taking the rewrite structure more generally as a description of process, the book shows how it can be applied to large-scale structures beyond the realm of fundamental physics. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Zero (228 KB). Contents: Zero; Why Does Physics Work?; The Emergence of Physics; Groups and Representations; Breaking the Dirac Code; The Dirac Nilpotent; Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics and the Classical Transition; The Classical and Special Relativistic Approximations; The Resolution of Paradoxes; Electric, Strong and Weak Interactions; QED and Its Analogues; Vacuum; Fermion and Boson Structures; A Representation of Strong and Weak Interactions; Grand Unification and Particle Masses; The Factor 2 and Duality; Gravity and Inertia; Dimensionality, Strings and Quantum Gravity; Nature''s Code; Nature''s Rule; Infinity. Readership: Researchers in quantum, theoretical and high energy physics.

Author : Travis Norsen
Publisher : Springer
Page : 310 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2017-08-17
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783319658674

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Foundations of Quantum Mechanics by Travis Norsen Pdf

Authored by an acclaimed teacher of quantum physics and philosophy, this textbook pays special attention to the aspects that many courses sweep under the carpet. Traditional courses in quantum mechanics teach students how to use the quantum formalism to make calculations. But even the best students - indeed, especially the best students - emerge rather confused about what, exactly, the theory says is going on, physically, in microscopic systems. This supplementary textbook is designed to help such students understand that they are not alone in their confusions (luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Erwin Schroedinger, and John Stewart Bell having shared them), to sharpen their understanding of the most important difficulties associated with interpreting quantum theory in a realistic manner, and to introduce them to the most promising attempts to formulate the theory in a way that is physically clear and coherent. The text is accessible to students with at least one semester of prior exposure to quantum (or "modern") physics and includes over a hundred engaging end-of-chapter "Projects" that make the book suitable for either a traditional classroom or for self-study.

Author : Tim Maudlin
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 199 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2015-05-26
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780691165714

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Philosophy of Physics by Tim Maudlin Pdf

Philosophical foundations of the physics of space-time This concise book introduces nonphysicists to the core philosophical issues surrounding the nature and structure of space and time, and is also an ideal resource for physicists interested in the conceptual foundations of space-time theory. Tim Maudlin's broad historical overview examines Aristotelian and Newtonian accounts of space and time, and traces how Galileo's conceptions of relativity and space-time led to Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. Maudlin explains special relativity with enough detail to solve concrete physical problems while presenting general relativity in more qualitative terms. Additional topics include the Twins Paradox, the physical aspects of the Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction, the constancy of the speed of light, time travel, the direction of time, and more. Introduces nonphysicists to the philosophical foundations of space-time theory Provides a broad historical overview, from Aristotle to Einstein Explains special relativity geometrically, emphasizing the intrinsic structure of space-time Covers the Twins Paradox, Galilean relativity, time travel, and more Requires only basic algebra and no formal knowledge of physics

Author : Dipankar Home
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 416 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 1997-11-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 0306456605

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Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Physics by Dipankar Home Pdf

This fascinating work goes beyond the standard interpretation of quantum theory to explore its fundamental concepts. Author Dipankar Home examines such alternative schemes as the Bohmian approach, the decoherence models, and the dynamical models of wave function collapse. Home carefully explains how a number of the anomalies in quantum theory have become amenable to precise quantitative formulations Throughout the chapters, the emphasis is on conceptual aspects of quantum theory and the implications of recent investigations into these questions.

Author : M. Bunge
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 180 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2013-03-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783642806247

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Problems in the Foundations of Physics by M. Bunge Pdf

This is a collection of technical papers in the foundations and the philoso It takes both "foundations" phy of physics with emphasis on the former. and "philosophy" in their narrow technical senses but it construes "physics" lato sensu, as including all the sciences of nonliving systems. All eleven papers constituting this volume were written for it. The problems tackled in this book concern certain basic concepts, hypotheses, theories, and research programmes in physical science. Some of these problems are topical, others new, but they are all fundamental and the subject of research and controversy. Consequently this volume is expected to serve those students, teachers and researchers who enjoy learning, teaching, discussing or doing theoretical physics. It is addressed to the nine to niners rather than to the nine to fivers. It is expected to attract the theoretician in search for new basic ideas, the teacher eager to perfect his understanding of physical theory and transmit his own zeal and his own doubts, as well as the student anxious to get down to essentials. This book may also interest the mathematician for whom physics offers a challenge (or a good pretext). Finally, it should get the attention of the philosopher of science aware of the advantages of philosophizing on foundations research problems rather than on the popularization of some results of research. There are at least two reasons for valuing foundations research.

Author : Joseph Kouneiher
Publisher : Springer
Page : 441 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2018-05-26
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783319648132

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Foundations of Mathematics and Physics One Century After Hilbert by Joseph Kouneiher Pdf

This book explores the rich and deep interplay between mathematics and physics one century after David Hilbert’s works from 1891 to 1933, published by Springer in six volumes. The most prominent scientists in various domains of these disciplines contribute to this volume providing insight to their works, and analyzing the impact of the breakthrough and the perspectives of their own contributions. The result is a broad journey through the most recent developments in mathematical physics, such as string theory, quantum gravity, noncommutative geometry, twistor theory, Gauge and Quantum fields theories, just to mention a few. The reader, accompanied on this journey by some of the fathers of these theories, explores some far reaching interfaces where mathematics and theoretical physics interact profoundly and gets a broad and deep understanding of subjects which are at the core of recent developments in mathematical physics. The journey is not confined to the present state of the art, but sheds light on future developments of the field, highlighting a list of open problems. Graduate students and researchers working in physics, mathematics and mathematical physics will find this journey extremely fascinating. All those who want to benefit from a comprehensive description of all the latest advances in mathematics and mathematical physics, will find this book very useful too.

Author : Charles E. Burkhardt,Jacob J. Leventhal
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 530 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2008-12-15
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780387776521

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Foundations of Quantum Physics by Charles E. Burkhardt,Jacob J. Leventhal Pdf

This book is meant to be a text for a ?rst course in quantum physics. It is assumed that the student has had courses in Modern Physics and in mathematics through differential equations. The book is otherwise self-contained and does not rely on outside resources such as the internet to supplement the material. SI units are used throughoutexcept for those topics for which atomic units are especially convenient. It is our belief that for a physics major a quantum physics textbook should be more than a one- or two-semester acquaintance. Consequently, this book contains material that, while germane to the subject, the instructor might choose to omit because of time limitations. There are topics and examples included that are not normally covered in introductory textbooks. These topics are not necessarily too advanced, they are simply not usually covered. We have not, however, presumed to tell the instructor which topics must be included and which may be omitted. It is our intention that omitted subjects are available for future reference in a book that is already familiar to its owner. In short, it is our hope that the student will use the book as a reference after having completed the course. We have included at the end of most chapters a “Retrospective” of the chapter. Thisis notmeanttobemerelya summary,but,rather,anoverviewoftheimportance ofthe material andits placein the contextofpreviousandforthcomingchapters.

Author : Tim Maudlin
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 249 pages
File Size : 51,9 Mb
Release : 2019-03-19
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780691183527

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Philosophy of Physics by Tim Maudlin Pdf

A sophisticated and original introduction to the philosophy of quantum mechanics from one of the world’s leading philosophers of physics In this book, Tim Maudlin, one of the world’s leading philosophers of physics, offers a sophisticated, original introduction to the philosophy of quantum mechanics. The briefest, clearest, and most refined account of his influential approach to the subject, the book will be invaluable to all students of philosophy and physics. Quantum mechanics holds a unique place in the history of physics. It has produced the most accurate predictions of any scientific theory, but, more astonishing, there has never been any agreement about what the theory implies about physical reality. Maudlin argues that the very term “quantum theory” is a misnomer. A proper physical theory should clearly describe what is there and what it does—yet standard textbooks present quantum mechanics as a predictive recipe in search of a physical theory. In contrast, Maudlin explores three proper theories that recover the quantum predictions: the indeterministic wavefunction collapse theory of Ghirardi, Rimini, and Weber; the deterministic particle theory of deBroglie and Bohm; and the conceptually challenging Many Worlds theory of Everett. Each offers a radically different proposal for the nature of physical reality, but Maudlin shows that none of them are what they are generally taken to be.

Author : David Wallace
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 169 pages
File Size : 41,6 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.