The New PhysicsP. C. W. Davies The New Physics is a sweeping survey of developments in physics up to the present day. All of the major topics at the frontiers of the subject have been covered in this collection of reviews. Whether the reader wants to know about the ultimate building blocks of matter; the structure, origin and evolution of the Universe; quantum gravity; low temperature physics; optics and lasers; chaos or quantum mechanics; this widely acclaimed book contains a clear explanation by one of the top scientists working in the field. Aimed at scientists and laymen alike, the articles are profusely illustrated throughout with colour photographs and clear explanatory diagrams, and have been meticulously edited to ensure they will appeal to a wide range of readers. In this single volume, Paul Davies, renowned for his ability to communicate advanced topics to the non-specialist, has gathered an exciting collection of reviews by many of the world's top physicists. |
Contents
a synthesis Paul Davies | 1 |
The renaissance of general relativity Clifford Will | 7 |
The inflationary universe Alan Guth and Paul Steinhardt | 34 |
The edge of spacetime Stephen Hawking | 61 |
Quantum gravity Chris Isham | 70 |
The new astrophysics Malcolm Longair | 94 |
Condensed matter physics in less than three dimensions David Thouless | 209 |
universal physics at large length scales Alastair Bruce and David Wallace | 236 |
What is chaos that we should be mindful of it? Joseph Ford | 348 |
Conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics Abner Shimony | 373 |
The quark structure of matter Frank Close | 396 |
Grand unified theories Howard Georgi | 425 |
Effective quantum field theories Howard Georgi | 446 |
Gauge theories in particle physics John Taylor | 458 |
Overview of particle physics Abdus Salam | 481 |
Glossary | 493 |
Common terms and phrases
angular momentum antiquark astrophysics ation atoms baryon beam behaviour binary black hole chaos clusters coarse-graining colour colour charges configuration correlation length cosmic cosmological critical point decay dimensional dimensions distance dynamics effect electric charge electromagnetic electron emission emitted energy density equation equilibrium evolution example figure force frequency Galactic galaxies gluons grand unified theories gravitational hadrons helium helium-3 Higgs fields hydrogen important interactions interstellar ionised Ising model known laser leptons light liquid luminosity magnetic field mass matter measured molecules neutrino neutron star nonlinear nuclei observed optical orbital pair parameter particles phase transition photon physics polarisation predicted problem properties pulsars quantum field theory quantum mechanics quantum theory quark and antiquark quasars radiation radio random redshift regions relativistic relativity renormalisation result rotation scale space spacetime spectrum spin stellar structure superconducting superfluid supernova surface symmetry temperature universe vacuum variables vector velocity wave waveband wavelength weak X-ray zero