Observational Foundations of Physics

An exploration of the relationship between mathematical theories and physical observations.

Sir Alan H. Cook (Author)

9780521455978, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 May 1994

180 pages, 4 b/w illus.
22.7 x 15.1 x 1 cm, 0.43 kg

'I found this a stimulating book … The strength of the book is its straightforward untechnical style. There is plenty of food for thought.' Contemporary Physics

The central models of theoretical physics have been extraordinarily successful in describing and predicting the behaviour of physical systems under an enormous range of conditions. But why are these mathematical theories so successful, and how is their structure influenced by the nature of the observations on which they are inevitably based? This intriguing book examines these subtle and fundamental issues, and concludes with the assertion that successful prediction provides compelling support for belief in a world independent of the observer. Dealing with important and basic aspects of the general framework of physics, this book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students in the physical sciences, and to anyone with an interest in the empirical and metaphysical foundations of science.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Standards of time and equations of motion
3. Observations at a distance: Special relativity
4. Microphysics: Relativistic quantum mechanics
5. Indeterminacy in theory and observation
6.Why does mathematical physics work?
7. Probable argument
8. Conclusion
Appendix
References.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]