Theoretical Concepts in Physics: An Alternative View of Theoretical Reasoning in PhysicsA highly original, and truly novel, 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. Case studies include the origins of Newton's law of gravitation, Maxwell's equations, mechanics and dynamics, linear and non-linear, thermodynamics and statistical physics, the origins of the concepts of quanta, special relativity, 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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 61
Page ix
... law 6.10 Derivation of the Biôt - Savart law 6.11 The interpretation of Maxwell's equations in material media 6.12 ... second law of thermodynamics 9.5 The second law of thermodynamics 222 228 9.6 Entropy 238 9.7 The law of increase of ...
... law 6.10 Derivation of the Biôt - Savart law 6.11 The interpretation of Maxwell's equations in material media 6.12 ... second law of thermodynamics 9.5 The second law of thermodynamics 222 228 9.6 Entropy 238 9.7 The law of increase of ...
Page x
... second version 252 10.4 Maxwell's velocity distribution 257 10.5 The viscosity of gases 263 10.6 The statistical nature of the second law of thermodynamics 266 10.7 Entropy and probability 268 10.8 Entropy and the density of states 272 ...
... second version 252 10.4 Maxwell's velocity distribution 257 10.5 The viscosity of gases 263 10.6 The statistical nature of the second law of thermodynamics 266 10.7 Entropy and probability 268 10.8 Entropy and the density of states 272 ...
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Contents
XI | 13 |
XII | 14 |
XIII | 15 |
XVI | 18 |
XVII | 21 |
XVIII | 25 |
XIX | 32 |
XX | 34 |
CXI | 283 |
CXIII | 284 |
CXIV | 289 |
CXV | 297 |
CXVI | 301 |
CXVII | 303 |
CXVIII | 305 |
CXIX | 311 |
XXI | 40 |
XXII | 42 |
XXIII | 47 |
XXIV | 48 |
XXV | 50 |
XXVI | 52 |
XXVII | 53 |
XXVIII | 54 |
XXX | 60 |
XXXI | 62 |
XXXII | 65 |
XXXIII | 67 |
XXXIV | 68 |
XXXV | 77 |
XXXVI | 79 |
XXXVIII | 82 |
XXXIX | 88 |
XL | 98 |
XLI | 100 |
XLII | 102 |
XLIII | 103 |
XLVI | 105 |
XLVIII | 106 |
XLIX | 108 |
L | 109 |
LI | 114 |
LII | 115 |
LIV | 117 |
LVI | 121 |
LVIII | 122 |
LIX | 123 |
LX | 125 |
LXI | 126 |
LXII | 129 |
LXIII | 133 |
LXIV | 134 |
LXV | 135 |
LXVII | 137 |
LXVIII | 138 |
LXIX | 140 |
LXX | 143 |
LXXI | 147 |
LXXII | 152 |
LXXIII | 155 |
LXXIV | 157 |
LXXV | 158 |
LXXVIII | 162 |
LXXIX | 165 |
LXXX | 181 |
LXXXI | 193 |
LXXXII | 199 |
LXXXIII | 200 |
LXXXIV | 203 |
LXXXVI | 205 |
LXXXVII | 206 |
LXXXIX | 207 |
XC | 212 |
XCI | 222 |
XCII | 228 |
XCIII | 238 |
XCIV | 240 |
XCV | 244 |
XCVII | 245 |
XCVIII | 250 |
XCIX | 251 |
C | 252 |
CI | 257 |
CII | 263 |
CIII | 266 |
CIV | 268 |
CV | 272 |
CVI | 276 |
CVII | 278 |
CIX | 281 |
CX | 282 |
CXX | 315 |
CXXI | 318 |
CXXII | 320 |
CXXIII | 323 |
CXXIV | 325 |
CXXV | 326 |
CXXVI | 329 |
CXXIX | 333 |
CXXX | 336 |
CXXXI | 338 |
CXXXII | 340 |
CXXXIII | 343 |
CXXXIV | 345 |
CXXXVI | 348 |
CXXXVII | 354 |
CXXXVIII | 358 |
CXXXIX | 360 |
CXL | 363 |
CXLI | 364 |
CXLII | 366 |
CXLIII | 369 |
CXLIV | 371 |
CXLV | 373 |
CXLVI | 375 |
CXLVII | 383 |
CXLVIII | 388 |
CXLIX | 390 |
CL | 391 |
CLI | 397 |
CLII | 399 |
CLIII | 400 |
CLV | 407 |
CLVI | 410 |
CLVII | 416 |
CLVIII | 419 |
CLIX | 422 |
CLX | 423 |
CLXI | 425 |
CLXII | 426 |
CLXIII | 429 |
CLXIV | 431 |
CLXV | 434 |
CLXVI | 444 |
CLXVII | 448 |
CLXVIII | 452 |
CLXIX | 454 |
CLXX | 461 |
CLXXI | 464 |
CLXXII | 466 |
CLXXIII | 468 |
CLXXIV | 471 |
CLXXV | 472 |
CLXXVI | 478 |
CLXXVII | 479 |
CLXXVIII | 481 |
CLXXIX | 487 |
CLXXX | 491 |
CLXXXI | 493 |
CLXXXII | 495 |
CLXXXIII | 497 |
CLXXXIV | 498 |
CLXXXV | 499 |
CLXXXVI | 500 |
CLXXXVII | 505 |
CLXXXVIII | 506 |
CLXXXIX | 509 |
CXC | 515 |
CXCI | 517 |
CXCII | 528 |
CXCIII | 536 |
CXCIV | 540 |
CXCV | 543 |
CXCVI | 547 |
548 | |
Other editions - View all
Theoretical Concepts in Physics: An Alternative View of Theoretical ... M. S. Longair No preview available - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
acceleration analysis angle angular astronomical atoms black-body radiation Boltzmann Cambridge classical constant coordinates Copernican cosmology curl derived diagram discovery distance distribution dynamics Einstein electric electromagnetic electromagnetic radiation electrons electrostatic energy density entropy epoch equilibrium equipartition theorem Euler-Lagrange equation example expansion experimental experiments expression Figure fluid flux force four-vector frame of reference frequency function galaxies Galileo gases geometry grad gravitational heat engine inertial isotropic Joule Kepler kinetic theory light Lorentz Lorentz transformations magnetic field mass mathematical Maxwell Maxwell's equations measure mechanics metric molecules momentum Newton observed orbit oscillator paper particles photons physicists Planck potential problem quantum redshift relation relativistic result rotation scale second law Section space special relativity spectrum speed sphere statistical surface telescope temperature theoretical physics theory thermal thermodynamic equilibrium University Press vector velocity volume waves zero