From Paradox to Reality
Our Basic Concepts of the Physical World

Fritz Rohrlich (Author)

9780521376051, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 August 1989

240 pages, 41 b/w illus. 7 tables
24.7 x 17.4 x 1.8 cm, 0.418 kg

'An ideal book prize for a budding physics undergraduate.' School Science

This book discusses, in clear non technical language, the two major theories of twentieth-century physics: relativity and quantum mechanics. They are discussed conceptually and philosophically, rather than using mathematics, and the philosophical issues raised pertain to much of science, not only physics. The book is based on successful courses taught by the author, who shows how new discoveries forced physicists to accept often strange and unconventional notions. He aims to remove the mystery and misrepresentation that often surround the ideas of modern physics and to show how modern scientists construct theories. In this way, the reader can appreciate their successes and failures and understand problems which are as yet unsolved.

Preface
Part I. At the Roof of the Endeavor: 1. Human limitations
2. Theory and the role of mathematics
3. Scientific objectivity
4. The aim of scientific theory
Part II. The World of Relativity: 5. Space and time: from absolute to relative
6. Imposed consistency: special relativity
7. Gravitation as geometry: general relativity
8. Revolutions without revolutions
Part III. The Quantum World: 9. The limits of the classical world
10. Concepts of the quantum world
11. From apparent paradox to a new reality
12. The present state of the art
Epilogue
Notes
Glossary of technical terms
Name index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]