Theoretical Concepts in Physics
An Alternative View of Theoretical Reasoning in Physics

An innovative integrated approach to classical physics and the beginnings of quantum physics through a sequence of historical case studies.

Malcolm S. Longair (Author)

9781108484534, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 April 2020

636 pages, 225 b/w illus.
25.3 x 19.3 x 3.3 cm, 1.51 kg

'… a brilliant exposé of theoretical reasoning adds discussions on properties of fluids and more concepts related to gravitational waves and cosmology ... Excellent indexing, including an author index, along with many helpful diagrams and useful chapter notes, add utility and charm.' F. Potter, Choice

In this original and integrated approach to theoretical reasoning in physics, Malcolm Longair illuminates the subject from the perspective of real physics as practised by research scientists. Concentrating on the basic insights, attitudes and techniques that are the tools of the modern physicist, this approach conveys the intellectual excitement and beauty of the subject. Through a series of seven case studies, an undergraduate course in classical physics and the discovery of quanta are reviewed from the point of the view of how the great discoveries and changes of perspective came about. This approach illuminates the intellectual struggles needed to attain understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in physics. Longair's highly acclaimed text has been fully revised and includes new studies on the physics of fluids, Maxwell's great paper on equations for the electromagnetic field and problems of contemporary cosmology and the very early universe.

Preface and acknowledgements
1. Introduction
Case Study I. The Origins of Newton's Laws of Motion and of Gravity: 2. From Ptolemy to Kepler: the Copernican Revolution
3. Galileo and the nature of the physical sciences
4. Newton and the law of gravity
Case Study II. Maxwell's Equations: 5. The origin of Maxwell's equations
6. Maxwell (1865): A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field
7. How to rewrite the history of electromagnetism
Case Study III. Mechanics and Dynamics: Linear and Non-Linear
8. Approaches to mechanics and dynamics
9. The motion of fluids
10. Dimensional analysis, chaos and self-organised criticality
Case Study IV. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics: 11. Basic thermodynamics
12. Kinetic theory and the origin of statistical mechanics
Case Study V. The Origins of the Concepts of Quantisation and Quanta: 13. Black-body radiation up to 1895
14. 1895–1900: Planck and the spectrum of black-body radiation
15. Planck's theory of black-body radiation
16. Einstein and the quantisation of light
17. The triumph of the light quantum hypothesis
Case Study VI. Special and General Relativity: 18. Special relativity: a study in invariance
19. An introduction to general relativity
Case Study VII. Cosmology and Physics: 20. Cosmology
21. Dark matter, dark energy and the inflationary paradigm
Notes
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Mathematical physics [PHU], Classical mechanics [PHD], Physics [PH], History of science [PDX], Philosophy of science [PDA]