A Universe of Atoms, An Atom in the UniverseSpringer Science & Business Media, 8 apr 2008 - 418 pagine Approximately 10 years have passed since the publication of And Yet 1 It Moves: Strange Systems and Subtle Questions in Physics. During this time, the book has done very well, being received favorably by both readers and reviewers. The exhaustion of the last printing has given me the opportunity to make revisions. The present volume, updated and expanded by three new chapters containing a total of 17 additional essays on a wide range of questions that I have explored in quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, thermodynamics, general relativity, and astrophysics, has been given a new title to re?ect the broad thematic coverage and a new publisher (Springer-Verlag). The Introduction (The Fire Within) that follows, based on the preface to the original edition, explains fully the purpose and content of this book. I wish to note brie?y here, however, that time and the advance of physics have not dulled the scienti?c relevance of any of the essays. This book, like its predecessor, is not intended to be a popularization, a textbook, or a monograph of any ?eld of physics. Rather, it is a p- sonal account of the scienti?c underpinnings, motivations, lessons, and rami?cations of some of the many fundamental physical problems that have engaged me throughout my career to the present. These are essays that anyone with an interest in contemporary physics can read, although it is certainly the case that the more serious the interest, the more meaningful will be the essays. |
Sommario
7 | |
Musical Bottles Flying Balloons | 30 |
The Unimaginably Strange Behavior | 63 |
Quantum Beats and Giant Atoms | 127 |
Exotic Atoms and | 181 |
Reflections on Light | 203 |
Unexpected | 279 |
Symmetry Unity Gravity | 325 |
Science and Wonder | 386 |
Selected Papers by the Author | 396 |
About the Author | 409 |
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Aharonov-Bohm effect amplitude angle angular momentum approximately atom axis beam Bohr bosons chiral classical coherence coin tosses components Coriolis force correlated corresponding dark matter decay density detector dipole Earth effect Einstein elec electric field electromagnetic emission emitted energy equation example excited experiment experimental exponential expression fermions Figure force frequency Fresnel galaxies gauge give rise gravity hydrogen incident inertial interaction interferometer interval laser length light wave linear Lorentz magnetic field magnetic flux mass mathematical Maxwell's mean measure medium molecules motion muon neutron Newton's nuclear nucleus observer occur optical activity optical rotation orbit oscillating outcome phase shift photon physicists predicted principal quantum probability propagation quantum beats quantum interference quantum mechanics quantum number quantum theory radiation radius random reflection refractive relation relative result rotation runs scalar solenoid speed spin spinor superfluid supernovae surface symmetry temperature theoretical tion tron tube Universe vector potential velocity vortex wave function wavelength zero