Theoretical concepts in physics

Описание

Theoretical Concepts in Physics
An Alternative View of Theoretical Reasoning in Physics
A highly original, novel and integrated approach to theoretical reasoning in physics. This
book illuminates the subject from the perspective of real physics as practised by research
scientists. It is intended to be a supplement to the final years of an undergraduate course in
physics and assumes that the reader has some grasp of university physics. By means of a
series of seven case studies, the author conveys the excitement of research and discovery,
highlighting the intellectual struggles to attain understanding of some of the most difficult
concepts in physics. The case studies comprise the origins of Newton's law of gravitation.
Maxwell's equations, linear and non-linear mechanics and dynamics, thermodynamics and
statistical physics, the origins of the concept of quanta, special relativity, and general
relativity and cosmology. The approach is the same as that in the highly acclaimed first edition,
but the text has been completely revised and many new topics introduced.
Malcolm Longair graduated in electronic physics from the University of St Andrews in
1963. He completed his Ph.D. in the Radio Astronomy Group of the Cavendish Laboratory,
University of Cambridge, in 1967. From 1968 to 1969 he was a Royal Society Exchange
Visitor to the Lebedev Institiite, Moscow. He has been an exchange visitor to the USSR
Space Research Institute on six subsequent occasions and has held visiting professorships
at institutes and observatories throughout the USA. From 1980 to 1990, he held the joint
posts of Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Regius Professor of Astronomy of the University
of Edinburgh and Director of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. He was Deputy Head of
the Cavendish Laboratory with special responsibility for the teaching of physics from 1991
to 1997 and has been Head of the Cavendish Laboratory since 1997. He is also a Professorial
Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Professor Longair has received many awards, including
the first Britannica Award for the Dissemination of Learning and the Enrichment of Life in
February 1986. In December 1990, he delivered the series of Royal Institution Christmas
Lectures for Young People on television on the topic 'The origins of our universe'. He was
made a CBE in the 2000 Millennium honours list. Professor Longair's primary research
interests are in the fields of high energy astrophysics and astrophysical cosmology. He has
written numerous books and over 250 journal articles on his research work.

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