Letters on Wave Mechanics
A lively collection of Einstein's groundbreaking scientific correspondence on modern physics Imagine getting four of the greatest minds of modern physics in a room together to explain and debate the theories and innovations of their day. This is the fascinating experience of reading Letters on Wave Mechanics, the correspondence between H. A. Lorentz, Max Planck, Erwin Schr繹dinger, and Albert Einstein. These remarkable letters illuminate not only the basis of Schr繹dinger's work in wave mechanics, but also how great scientific minds debated and challenged the ever-changing theories of the day and ultimately embraced an elegant solution to the riddles of quantum theory. Their collected correspondence offers insight into both the personalities and professional aspirations that played a part in this theoretical breakthrough. This authorized book features rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Thing Explainer
Have you ever tried to learn more about some incredible thing, only to be frustrated by incomprehensible jargon? Randall Munroe is here to help. In Thing Explainer, he uses line drawings and only the thousand (or, rather, "ten hundred") most common words to provide simple explanations for some of the most interesting stuff there is, including: food-heating radio boxes (microwaves)tall roads (bridges)computer buildings (datacenters)the shared space house (the International Space Station)the other worlds around the sun (the solar system)the big flat rocks we live on (tectonic plates)the pieces everything is made of (the periodic table)planes with turning wings (helicopters)boxes that make clothes smell better (washers and dryers)the bags of stuff inside you (cells) How do these things work? Where do they come from? What would life be like without them? And what would happen if we opened them up, heated them up, cooled them down, pointed them in a different direction, or pressed this button? In Thing Explainer, Munroe gives us the answers to these questions and so many more. Funny, interesting, and always understandable, this book is for anyone--age 5 to 105--who has ever wondered how things work, and why.
The Principia
This book is a complete volume of Newton's mathematical principles relating to natural philosophy and his system of the world. Newton, one of the most brilliant scientists and thinkers of all time, presents his theories, formulas and thoughts. Included are chapters relative to the motion of bodies; motion of bodies in resisting mediums; and system of the world in mathematical treatment; a section on axioms or laws of motion, and definitions.
The Principia
This book is a complete volume of Newton's mathematical principles relating to natural philosophy and his system of the world. Newton, one of the most brilliant scientists and thinkers of all time, presents his theories, formulas and thoughts. Included are chapters relative to the motion of bodies; motion of bodies in resisting mediums; and system of the world in mathematical treatment; a section on axioms or laws of motion, and definitions.
A Victorian Handbook of Mechanical Movements
This Victorian-era handbook for civil engineers presents sketches and brief descriptions of more than 1,900 mechanical devices. Contents include gears of all kinds, chains and links, cranes, cutting tools, pumps, water wheels, turbines, and much more -- all the elements of the increasingly sophisticated industrial and mechanical world of the late 19th century.Originally published in 1890 as The Engineers' Sketch Book of Mechanical Movements, Devices, Appliances, Contrivances, and Details, this volume was "classified and arranged for reference for the use of engineers, mechanical draughtsmen, managers, mechanics, inventors, patent agents, and all engaged in the mechanical arts." Today it retains its appeal for historians of science, tinkerers, and all enthusiasts of old machinery.
Waves
A guide to ocean waves traces their evolution from wind-wave generation to coastal effects. Sitting on the beach on a sunny summer day, we enjoy the steady advance and retreat of the waves. In the water, enthusiastic waders jump and shriek with pleasure when a wave hits them. But where do these waves come from? How are they formed and why do they break on the shore? In Waves, Fredric Raichlen traces the evolution of waves, from their generation in the deep ocean to their effects on the coast. He explains, in a way that is readily understandable to nonscientists, both the science of waves themselves and the technology that can be used to protect us against their more extreme forms, including hurricanes and tsunamis.After offering a basic definition of waves and explaining the mechanics of wind-wave generation, Raichlen describes how waves travel, how they shoal (rise), how they break, and how they transform in other ways. He goes on to describe, among other things, the complicated sun-Earth-moon combinations that create astronomical tides (the high and low tides that occur daily and predictably); the effects of waves on the beach, including rip currents and beach erosion, and on harbors and shipping; and the building of breakwaters to protect harbors and bays. He discusses hurricanes, storm surges, and hurricane-generated waves. He offers a brief history of tsunamis, including Sumatra's in 2004 and Japan's in 2011, and explains the mechanisms that generate them (including earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes).Waves can be little ripples that lap peacefully at the shore or monstrous tsunamis that destroy everything in their paths. Describing the science underlying this astonishing variety, Waves offers a different kind of beach reading.
Magnetic Fever
Explores the links between science and empire in the 19th cent\ury, focusing on the mutual interactions of British imperialism and geophysical empiricism. The 19th century was a time when science was becoming global, in part due to European colonial and imperial expansion. Colonies became not just propagation points for European science, but also collection points for geophysical investigations. These "colonial observatories" influenced the type of science that could be done. Comparing the development of British and American geomagnetic research during this period shows the dependency between the two influences. Both the scientific theories and the geopolitical realities played a role in creating the tool for studying global science still in use today.
Choosing Selection
Describes the hypothesis that Darwin's "natural selection," reformulated by R.A. Fisher, J.B.S. Haldane, and S. Wright in the light of Mendelian genetics, is the exclusive mechanism for biological evolution. During the 1930s, alternatives such as Lamarchism, macromutations, and orthogenesis were rejected in favor of natural selection acting on small mutations, but there were disagreements about the role of random genetic drift in evolution. By the 1950s, research by T. Dobzhansky, E.B. Ford, and others persuaded leading evolutionists that natural selection was so powerful that drift was unimportant. This conclusion was accepted by most; however, some biology textbooks and popular articles mentioned drift in the late 1960s.
Practice Problems with Solutions, a Guide for Learning Engineering Fluid Mechanics
Parametric Random Vibration
Coherent and systematic, this text explores the behavior of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems subject to parametric random vibrations, by means of the theory of stochastic processes, stochastic differential equations, and applied dynamics. It distills decades of research to formulate new stochastic stability theorems and analytical techniques for determining the random response of nonlinear systems. In addition, it resolves controversies and paradoxes related to the interpretation of certain stochastic processes and the use of analytical methods.After a brief overview of parametric vibration and its subclasses, the text surveys the fundamental concepts of random processes and their calculus rules, emphasizing the main elements necessary for the analysis of parametric vibration problems. Subsequent chapters address the stability and response analyses of linear and nonlinear systems with random coefficients. The final chapter presents an extensive compilation of experimental results from the literature of the field.
How to Build a Robot Army
It goes without saying that robots kill. They hunt, swarm, and fire lasers from their eyes. They even beat humans at chess. So who better to stand with us when the real villains arrive? Movies instruct us that, whether we like it or not, we will one day be under siege by pirates, ninjas, zombies, aliens, and Godzilla. Also great white sharks. And-let's face it-we're not prepared. But with the advice contained in this brilliantly illustrated, ingenious book, you can build your own robot army to fend off hordes of bloodthirsty foes. From common-sense injunctions ("never approach an unfamiliar robot in a militarized zone") to tactical pointers ("low-power radar beats cameras for detecting mummies in a fog-shrouded crypt") to engineering advice ("passive-dynamic exoskeleton suits will increase sprint speeds but not leg strength"), this book contains all the wisdom you'll need to fend off the coming apocalypse. Witty, informative, and utterly original, How to Build a Robot Army is the ideal book for readers of any age.
Mechanics Of Composite Materials
A comprehensive account of the basic theory of the mechanical behavior of heterogeneous media, this volume assembles, interprets, and interrelates contributions to the field of composite materials from theoretical research, laboratory developments, and product applications.The text focuses on the continuum mechanics aspects of behavior; specifically, it invokes idealized geometric models of the heterogeneous system to obtain theoretical predictions of macroscopic properties in terms of the properties of individual constituent materials. The wide range of subjects encompasses macroscopic stiffness properties, failure characterization, and wave propagation. Much of the book presumes a familiarity with the theory of linear elasticity; but it also takes into consideration behavior characterized by viscoelasticity and inviscid plasticity theories and problems involving nonlinear kinematics. Because of the close relationship between mechanical and thermal effects, the text also examines macroscopic, thermal properties of heterogeneous media.Although the primary emphasis centers on the development of theory, this volume also pays critical attention to the practical assessment of results and applications. Comparisons between different approaches and with reliable experimental data appear at main junctures. Suitable as a graduate-level text, Mechanics of Composite Materials is also a valuable reference for professionals.
Continuum Mechanics
Written in response to the dearth of practical and meaningful textbooks in the field of fundamental continuum mechanics, this comprehensive treatment offers students and instructors an immensely useful tool. Its 115 solved problems and exercises not only provide essential practice but also systematically advance the understanding of vector and tensor theory, basic kinematics, balance laws, field equations, jump conditions, and constitutive equations.Readers follow clear, formally precise steps through the central ideas of classical and modern continuum mechanics, expressed in a common, efficient notation that fosters quick comprehension and renders these concepts familiar when they reappear in other contexts. Completion of this brief course results in a unified basis for work in fluid dynamics and the mechanics of solid materials, a foundation of particular value to students of mathematics and physics, those studying continuum mechanics at an intermediate or advanced level, and postgraduate students in the applied sciences. "Should be excellent in its intended function as a problem book to accompany a lecture course." -- Quarterly of Applied Math.
The Nature of Solids
This excellent book by a distinguished author presents a nonmathematical account of present-day theories of solid state physics ... Holden's lucid writing style is well adapted to the needs of his audience; students will find it a pleasure to read. -- ChoiceUnusually clear and accessible, this highly regarded volume offers a nontechnical, nonmathematical introduction to the fundamentals of solid-state physics. It can be read by any student with a background of high school physics or chemistry, and will serve scientists and engineers well as a primer in the field of solid-state theory.The first half of the book develops basic concepts in modern atomic physics. Included are illuminating discussions of heat, heat capacity, order, symmetry, atoms and ions, molecules and metals and structures. The second part then applies the concepts elucidated to the structural and electrical properties of solid materials. This involves treatment of atomic motions, particles and waves, electrons in atoms, electrons in solids, electrical conduction, semiconductors and magnets. An appendix entitled Scales of Energy rounds out the book.Dr. Holden, a former research scientist with Bell Telephone Laboratories and former visiting professor at M.I.T., does not delve deeply into the interaction between theory and experiment. Rather, these pages are devoted, in his words, to explaining the theories -- to picturing the models -- that provide the best means known today for unifying our knowledge of solids and connecting it with a broader field of science. Readers will find that this lucid, well-written study achieves its purpose, combining elements of physics, chemistry, and crystallography to produce a comprehensive, interconnected picture of solid-state theory and its role in the wider scope of modern science.
Phase Space Picture of Quantum Mechanics
This book covers the theory and applications of the Wigner phase space distribution function and its symmetry properties. The book explains why the phase space picture of quantum mechanics is needed, in addition to the conventional Schr繹dinger or Heisenberg picture. It is shown that the uncertainty relation can be represented more accurately in this picture. In addition, the phase space picture is shown to be the natural representation of quantum mechanics for modern optics and relativistic quantum mechanics of extended objects.
Schaum's Outline of Statics and Strength of Materials
Confusing Textbooks?Missed Lectures? Tough Test Questions? Fortunately for you, there's Schaum's Outlines. More than 40 million students have trusted Schaum's to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills. This Schaum's Outline gives youPractice problems with full explanations that reinforce knowledgeCoverage of the most up-to-date developments in your course fieldIn-depth review of practices and applicationsFully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know. Use Schaum's to shorten your study time-and get your best test scores!Schaum's Outlines-Problem Solved.
Schaum’s Outline of Continuum Mechanics
For comprehensive--and comprehensible--coverage of both theory and real-world applications, you can't find a better study guide than Schaum's Outline of Continuum Mechanics. It gives you everything you need to get ready for tests and earn better grades! You get plenty of worked problems--solved for you step by step--along with hundreds of practice problems. From the mathematical foundations to fluid mechanics and viscoelasticity, this guide covers all the fundamentals--plus it shows you how theory is applied. This is the study guide to choose if you want to ace continuum mechanics!
