Questioning the Foundations of Physics

Questioning the Foundations of Physics PDF Author: Anthony Aguirre
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319130455
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 274

Get Book

Book Description
The essays in this book look at way in which the fundaments of physics might need to be changed in order to make progress towards a unified theory. They are based on the prize-winning essays submitted to the FQXi essay competition “Which of Our Basic Physical Assumptions Are Wrong?”, which drew over 270 entries. As Nobel Laureate physicist Philip W. Anderson realized, the key to understanding nature’s reality is not anything “magical”, but the right attitude, “the focus on asking the right questions, the willingness to try (and to discard) unconventional answers, the sensitive ear for phoniness, self-deception, bombast, and conventional but unproven assumptions.” The authors of the eighteen prize-winning essays have, where necessary, adapted their essays for the present volume so as to (a) incorporate the community feedback generated in the online discussion of the essays, (b) add new material that has come to light since their completion and (c) to ensure accessibility to a broad audience of readers with a basic grounding in physics. The Foundational Questions Institute, FQXi, catalyzes, supports, and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology, particularly new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, but unlikely to be supported by conventional funding sources.

Questioning the Foundations of Physics

Questioning the Foundations of Physics PDF Author: Anthony Aguirre
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319130455
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 274

Get Book

Book Description
The essays in this book look at way in which the fundaments of physics might need to be changed in order to make progress towards a unified theory. They are based on the prize-winning essays submitted to the FQXi essay competition “Which of Our Basic Physical Assumptions Are Wrong?”, which drew over 270 entries. As Nobel Laureate physicist Philip W. Anderson realized, the key to understanding nature’s reality is not anything “magical”, but the right attitude, “the focus on asking the right questions, the willingness to try (and to discard) unconventional answers, the sensitive ear for phoniness, self-deception, bombast, and conventional but unproven assumptions.” The authors of the eighteen prize-winning essays have, where necessary, adapted their essays for the present volume so as to (a) incorporate the community feedback generated in the online discussion of the essays, (b) add new material that has come to light since their completion and (c) to ensure accessibility to a broad audience of readers with a basic grounding in physics. The Foundational Questions Institute, FQXi, catalyzes, supports, and disseminates research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology, particularly new frontiers and innovative ideas integral to a deep understanding of reality, but unlikely to be supported by conventional funding sources.

Foundations and Principles of Physics: an Introductory Guide

Foundations and Principles of Physics: an Introductory Guide PDF Author: James Broberg
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781465250476
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description


Foundations of Physics

Foundations of Physics PDF Author: Steve Adams
Publisher: Mercury Learning and Information
ISBN: 1683929683
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 994

Get Book

Book Description
This updated edition is designed as a self-teaching, calculus-based introduction to the concepts of physics. Numerous examples, applications, and figures provide readers with simple explanations. Standard topics include vectors, conservation of energy, Newton’s Laws, momentum, motion, gravity, relativity, waves, fluid mechanics, circuits, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and more. FEATURES: Designed as a calculus-based, introduction to the key concepts of physics Practical techniques, including the collection, presentation, analysis and evaluation of data, are discussed in the context of key experiments linked to the theoretical spine of the work

Foundations of Environmental Physics

Foundations of Environmental Physics PDF Author: Kyle Forinash
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1597269603
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433

Get Book

Book Description
Foundations of Environmental Physics is designed to focus students on the current energy and environmental problems facing society, and to give them the critical thinking and computational skills needed to sort out potential solutions. From its pedagogical approach, students learn that a simple calculation based on first principles can often reveal the plausibility (or implausibility) of a proposed solution or new technology. Throughout its chapters, the text asks students to apply key concepts to current data (which they are required to locate using the Internet and other sources) to get a clearer picture of the most pressing issues in environmental science. The text begins by exploring how changes in world population impact all aspects of the environment, particularly with respect to energy use. It then discusses what the first and second laws of thermodynamics tell us about renewable and nonrenewable energy; how current energy use is changing the global climate; and how alternative technologies can be evaluated through scientific risk assessment. In approaching real-world problems, students come to understand the physical principles that underlie scientific findings. This informative and engaging textbook offers what prospective scientists, managers, and policymakers need most: the knowledge to understand environmental threats and the skills to find solutions.

Fundamentals of Physics II

Fundamentals of Physics II PDF Author: R. Shankar
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300212364
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 609

Get Book

Book Description
Explains the fundamental concepts of Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, waves, fluids, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics. Provides an introduction for college-level students of physics, chemistry, and engineering, for AP Physics students, and for general readers interested in advances in the sciences. In volume II, Shankar explains essential concepts, including electromagnetism, optics, and quantum mechanics. The book begins at the simplest level, develops the basics, and reinforces fundamentals, ensuring a solid foundation in the principles and methods of physics.

Fundamentals of Many-body Physics

Fundamentals of Many-body Physics PDF Author: Wolfgang Nolting
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 354071930X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 607

Get Book

Book Description
The goal of the present course on “Fundamentals of Theoretical Physics” is to be a direct accompaniment to the lower-division study of physics, and it aims at providing the ph- ical tools in the most straightforward and compact form as needed by the students in order to master theoretically more complex topics and problems in advanced studies and in research. The presentation is thus intentionally designed to be suf?ciently detailed and self-contained – sometimes, admittedly, at the cost of a certain elegance – to permit in- vidual study without reference to the secondary literature. This volume deals with the quantum theory of many-body systems. Building upon a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and of statistical physics, modern techniques for the description of interacting many-particle systems are developed and applied to various real problems, mainly from the area of solid-state physics. A thorough revision should guarantee that the reader can access the relevant research literature without experiencing major problems in terms of the concepts and vocabulary, techniques and deductive methods found there. The world which surrounds us consists of very many particles interacting with one another, and their description requires in principle the solution of a corresponding number ofcoupledquantum-mechanicalequationsofmotion(Schrodinger ̈ equations),which,h- ever, is possible only in exceptional cases in a mathematically strict sense. The concepts of elementary quantum mechanics and quantum statistics are therefore not directly applicable in the form in which we have thus far encountered them. They require an extension and restructuring, which is termed “many-body theory”.

Fundamentals of Physics I

Fundamentals of Physics I PDF Author: R. Shankar
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300249586
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 523

Get Book

Book Description
A beloved introductory physics textbook, now including exercises and an answer key, explains the concepts essential for thorough scientific understanding In this concise book, R. Shankar, a well-known physicist and contagiously enthusiastic educator, explains the essential concepts of Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, waves, fluids, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics. Now in an expanded edition—complete with problem sets and answers for course use or self-study—this work provides an ideal introduction for college-level students of physics, chemistry, and engineering; for AP Physics students; and for general readers interested in advances in the sciences. The book begins at the simplest level, develops the basics, and reinforces fundamentals, ensuring a solid foundation in the principles and methods of physics.

Principles of Mechanics

Principles of Mechanics PDF Author: Salma Alrasheed
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030151956
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 179

Get Book

Book Description
This open access textbook takes the reader step-by-step through the concepts of mechanics in a clear and detailed manner. Mechanics is considered to be the core of physics, where a deep understanding of the concepts is essential in understanding all branches of physics. Many proofs and examples are included to help the reader grasp the fundamentals fully, paving the way to deal with more advanced topics. After solving all of the examples, the reader will have gained a solid foundation in mechanics and the skills to apply the concepts in a variety of situations. The book is useful for undergraduate students majoring in physics and other science and engineering disciplines. It can also be used as a reference for more advanced levels.

Principles & Practice of Physics

Principles & Practice of Physics PDF Author: Eric Mazur
Publisher:
ISBN: 9787111700470
Category : Physics
Languages : zh-CN
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description


Principles of Engineering Physics 1

Principles of Engineering Physics 1 PDF Author: Md Nazoor Khan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108227953
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 900

Get Book

Book Description
Covers the basic principles and theories of engineering physics and offers a balance between theoretical concepts and their applications. It is designed as a textbook for an introductory course in engineering physics. Beginning with a comprehensive discussion on oscillations and waves with applications in the field of mechanical and electrical engineering, it goes on to explain the basic concepts such as Huygen's principle, Fresnel's biprism, Fraunhofer diffraction and polarization. Emphasis has been given to an understanding of the basic concepts and their applications to a number of engineering problems. Each topic has been discussed in detail, both conceptually and mathematically. Pedagogical features including solved problems, unsolved exercised and multiple choice questions are interspersed throughout the book. This will help undergraduate students of engineering acquire skills for solving difficult problems in quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, nanoscience, energy systems and other engineering disciplines.