Does the universe consist of independent objects, or is it a single unit? Are some of its features accidental, or can they all be explained in theoretical terms? This accessible book on cosmology addresses profound questions about the universe, and it offers elegant answers in simple, straightforward... read more
Sidelights on Relativity by Albert Einstein Two influential essays: "Ether and Relativity" (1920) discusses its subjects' related properties; "Geometry and Experience" (1921) describes Euclidean or other geometric systems in connection with the concept of a finite universe.
The Strange Story of the Quantum by Banesh Hoffmann Timeless exploration of the work of the great physicists of the early 20th century offers an accessible introduction to Pauli's exclusion principle, Schroedinger's wave equation, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, more. 1959 edition.
Where No Man Has Gone Before: A History of NASA's Apollo Lunar Expeditions by William David Compton This official NASA history traces behind-the-scenes conflicts and cooperation between scientists and engineers. The first half concerns preparations for the Moon landings, and the second half documents the flights that followed Apollo 11. 1989 edition.
Cosmology by Hermann Bondi A co-developer of the steady-state theory explores his conception of the expanding universe. This historic book was among the first to present cosmology as a separate branch of physics. 1961 edition.
The Forces of Matter by Michael Faraday These lectures by a famous inventor offer an easy-to-understand introduction to the interactions of the universe's physical forces. Six essays explore gravitation, cohesion, chemical affinity, heat, magnetism, and electricity. 1993 edition.
Fractals, Chaos, Power Laws: Minutes from an Infinite Paradise by Manfred Schroeder A fascinating exploration of the connections between chaos theory, physics, biology, and mathematics, this book abounds in award-winning computer graphics, optical illusions, and games that clarify memorable insights into self-similarity. 1992 edition.
Violent Phenomena in the Universe by Jayant V. Narlikar Acclaimed by Nature as "excellent and uncompromising," this reader-friendly book explores exploding stars, black holes, and the Big Bang. Clear and lively, it conveys the excitement of modern cosmology. 1982 edition.
The Universe and Dr. Einstein by Lincoln Barnett "The main ideas of the theory of relativity are extremely well presented," declared Albert Einstein in his foreword to this clear and readable exposition. 1957 edition.
Elements of Relativity Theory by D. F. Lawden The basic concepts of relativity theory are conveyed through worked and unworked examples in this text, which requires only elementary algebra and emphasizes physical principles and concepts. 1985 edition.
What Is Relativity? by L. D. Landau, G. B. Rumer Written by a Nobel Prize physicist and his colleague, this compelling book uses familiar objects (trains, rulers, clocks) to illuminate the more subtle aspects of relativity. 23 illustrations. 1959 edition.
Relativity and Its Roots by Banesh Hoffmann Entertaining, nontechnical demonstrations of the meaning of relativity theory trace development from basis in geometrical, cosmological ideas of the ancient Greeks, plus work by Kepler, Galileo, Newton, others. 1983 edition.
A New Model of the Universe by P. D. Ouspensky Foremost occultist of early 20th century offers stimulating, thought-provoking discussions of relativity, the fourth dimension, Christian symbolism, the tarot, yoga, dreams and more. Introduction.
Relativity Simply Explained by Martin Gardner One of the subject's clearest, most entertaining introductions offers lucid explanations of special and general theories of relativity, gravity, and spacetime, models of the universe, and more. 100 illustrations.
Theory of Relativity by W. Pauli Nobel Laureate's brilliant early treatise on Einstein's theory consists of his original 1921 text plus retrospective comments 35 years later. Concise and comprehensive, it pays special attention to unified field theories.
Geometry, Relativity and the Fourth Dimension by Rudolf Rucker Exposition of fourth dimension, concepts of relativity as Flatland characters continue adventures. Topics include curved space time as a higher dimension, special relativity, and shape of space-time. Includes 141 illustrations.
Einstein's Theory of Relativity by Max Born Semi-technical account includes a review of classical physics (origin of space and time measurements, Ptolemaic and Copernican astronomy, laws of motion, inertia, more) and of Einstein's theories of relativity.
Relativity and Common Sense: A New Approach to Einstein by Hermann Bondi Accessible, radically reoriented presentation of Einstein's Special Theory by a distinguished scientist derives relativity from Newtonian ideas rather than by opposing them. Very little mathematics required. 60 illustrations.
Product Description:
Does the universe consist of independent objects, or is it a single unit? Are some of its features accidental, or can they all be explained in theoretical terms? This accessible book on cosmology addresses profound questions about the universe, and it offers elegant answers in simple, straightforward terms. Written by a distinguished cosmologist, it assumes no knowledge of physics or astronomy and illustrates its explanations with figures and compelling photos. The first part ventures back to the early Greek astronomers, who were the first to measure the Earth's size and the distance to the sun and the moon. It also examines the latter-day discoveries of distant galaxies, achieved with giant telescopes and mathematical calculations. The second part explores modern theories, including the author's own conviction that the universe is a single unit and that the behavior of nearby matter is strongly influenced by distant regions of the universe. A student of Fred Hoyle and Paul Dirac and a teacher of Stephen Hawking, D. W. Sciama is best known for his work on general relativity and black holes. Scientific American acclaimed his survey as "an engrossing book" and "an invigorating intellectual exercise that any mature reader can enjoy."
Reprint of the Doubleday Anchor Books, Garden City, New York, 1959 edition.
This book was printed in the United States of America.
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