Theoretical Concepts in Physics
Douban
An Alternative View of Theoretical Reasoning in Physics
Malcolm S. Longair
overview
This second edition of a popular text demonstrates how physics can be appreciated through a series of case studies spanning a complete university physics course. Highlights include three new chapters on Newton's laws (one on ancient astronomy up to the time of Galileo, one on Galileo, and one on Newton); a new chapter on dimensional methods, chaos and self-organized criticality; and a new chapter on the technology of cosmology. Although all the arguments are presented precisely in physical and mathematical terminology, the book is written in a relatively non-technical manner, intended to convey a deep understanding and appreciation of the incredible achievements of theorists in creating the structure of modern physics. First Edition Hb (1984): 0-521-25550-3 First Edition Pb (1984): 0-521-27553-9
contents
1 Introduction
Case Study I The origins of Newton's laws of motion and of gravity
2 From Ptolemy to Kepler - the Copernican revolution 2.1 Ancienthistory
3 Galileo and the nature of the physical sciences 3.1 Introduction
4 Newton and the law of gravity
Case Study II Maxwell's equations
5 The origin of Maxwell's equations
6 How to rewrite the history of electromagnetism
Case Study III Mechanics and dynamics - linear and non-linear
7 Approaches to mechanics and dynamics
8 Dimensional analysis, chaos and self-organised criticality
Case Study IV Thermodynamics and statistical physics
9 Basic thermodynamics
10 Kinetic theory and the origin of statistical mechanics
Case Study V The origins of the concept of quanta
11 Black-body radiation up to 1895
12 1895-1900: Planck and the spectrum of black-body radiation
13 Planck's theory of black-body radiation
14 Einstein and the quantisation of light
15 The triumph of the quantum hypothesis
Case Study VI Special relativity
16 Special relativity - a study in invariance
Case Study VII General relativity and cosmology
17 An introduction to general relativity
18 The technology of cosmology
19 Cosmology
20 Epilogue
