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• Escape from the jungle of no imaginations
• The changeless change
• Superposition
• The zen of quantum fields
• Emergence
• If Basquiat were a physicist
• What banged?
• A dark conductor of quantum galaxies
• Cosmic virtual reality
• Embracing instabilities
• A cosmologist's view of a quantum elephant
• The cosmic biosphere
• Dark ideas on alien life
• Into the cosmic matrix
• The cosmic mind and quantum cosmology

"Where does great physics come from? As a young graduate student, cosmologist Stephon Alexander had a life-changing lesson in the subject. When asked by the legendary theoretical physicist Christopher Isham why he had attended graduate school, Alexander answered: "To become a better physicist." He could hardly have anticipated Isham's response: "Then stop reading those physics books." Instead, Isham said, Alexander should start listening to his dreams. This is only the first of a great many surprising and even shocking lessons in Fear of a Black Universe. As Alexander explains, greatness in physics requires transgression, a willingness to reject conventional expectations. He shows why progress happens when some physicists come to think outside the mainstream, and both the outsiders and insiders respond to the resulting tensions. He also shows why, as in great jazz, great physics requires a willingness to make things up as one goes along, and a willingness to rely on intuition when the path forward isn't clear. Unfortunately, most physicists are too afraid of being wrong -- and jeopardizing their careers -- to embrace this sort of improvisation. Indeed, for a long time Alexander was, too. Of course, Alexander doesn't mean that physics should be lawless. After all, even jazz musicians must respect the key and tempo of the music their fellow musicians are playing. But it does mean that not all the answers can be found, as Isham argued, as equations in a book. Drawing on Einstein's notion of principle theories -- ideas that constrain the shape that other theories take -- Alexander shows that from general relativity to quantum theory, three principles underlie everything we know about the Universe: the principle of invariance, the quantum principle, and the principle of emergence. Using these three principles as a guide, Alexander takes a stab at some of the greatest mysteries of the Universe, including what happened before the Big Bang; the quantum theory of gravity; the nature of dark energy and dark matter; and the quantum physics of consciousness. Along the way, he explains where our understanding of the universe and those principles don't jibe, as in the nature of the Big Bang, and asks what such discrepancies mean. He shows us what discoveries lie on the horizon, and crucially, calls on us not just to embrace improvisation and knowledge outside of physics but to diversify our scientific communities by reaching out to people of color. As compelling as it is necessary, Fear of a Black Universe offers us remarkable insight into the art of physics and empowers us all to theorize"-- Provided by publisher

• Contents
• 1 Linear DC Circuits 15
• 1.1 Circuit Elements. The Water Analogy
• 1.2 Ohm's Law and Power Loss in Resistors
• 1.3 The Voltage Divider. Circuit Inputs and Outputs
• 1.4 Kirchho?'s Laws
• 1.5 Equivalent Circuits and Current Sources
• 1.6 Understanding the Equipment: Multimeter 1.7 Application: Four-Lead Measurements
• 1.8 The Physics and Chemistry of Batteries
• 1.9 Extra Problems
• 2 Linear AC Circuits
• 2.1 The Water Analogy for AC Circuit Elements
• 2.2 Derivation of Capacitor Behavior
• 2.3 Derivation of Inductor Behavior
• 2.4 Intrinsic Time Constants
• 2.5 Complex Impedance
• 2.6 Decibels and Signal Level
• 2.7 Advanced Topic. Fourier Transforms
• 2.8 Resonant Circuits and Bandpass Filters
• 2.9 Understanding the Equipment: Oscilloscope
• 2.10 Understanding the Equipment: Function Generator
• 2.11 Extra Problems
• 3 Transmission Lines and Signal Propagation
• 3.1 Circuit Model of a Transmission Line
• 3.2 Impedance of a Transmission Line
• 3.3 Reection of Signals at Interfaces. Impedance Matching
• 3.4 Advanced Topic. Degradation of Signals in Transmission Lines
• 3.4.1 A Cable with Resistance
• 3.4.2 A Cable with Dispersion
• 3.5 Understanding the Equipment: Pulse Generator
• 3.6 Transformers
• 3.6.1 Inductive Transformers
• 3.6.2 Capacitive Field Coupling
• 3.7 Generators and Three-Phase Power
• 3.8 Antennas and Radiation Loss
• 3.9 Noise Reduction Methods
• 3.9.1 Balanced-Unbalanced Conversion. Ground Loops
• 3.9.2 Shielding
• 3.10 Advanced Topic. Spectral Analysis and Electrical Noise
• 3.10.1 Thermal Noise
• 3.10.2 Shot Noise
• 3.10.3 Phase Fluctuations
• 3.11 Understanding the Equipment: Spectral Analyzer
• 3.12 Extra Problems
• 4 Introduction to Nonlinear Circuit Elements
• 4.1 Water Analogy for Diodes
• 4.2 Bands and Band Gaps
• 4.3 Semiconductors
• 4.3.1 Electrons in Periodic Crystals
• 4.3.2 Holes
• 4.3.3 Semiconductor Doping 4.4 Interfaces and Band Bending
• 4.4.1 Metal-to-Metal Junctions. Thermocouples
• 4.4.2 Doped Semiconductor Interfaces
• 4.4.3 Metal Contacts and Surface States
• 4.4.4 Junctions with Undoped Semiconductors
• 4.5 Diodes and Rectiers
• 4.5.1 Rectiers
• 4.5.2 The Concept of Dynamic Resistance
• 4.5.3 Zener Diodes
• 4.5.4 Tunnel Diodes. Negative Dynamic Resistance
• 4.5.5 Schottky Diodes. Recovery Time of Diodes
• 4.6 Advanced Topic. Chaos in Diode Circuits
• 4.7 Varistors. Tunneling Resistance
• 4.8 Fuses
• 4.9 Extra Problems
• 5 Transistors
• 5.1 Water Analogy for Transistors
• 5.2 Bipolar Transistors
• 5.3 Basic Bipolar Transistor Circuits
• 5.3.1 Follower. Input and Output Impedance
• 5.3.2 Current Source. The Concept of Negative Feedback
• 5.3.3 Inverting Amplier
• 5.3.4 Di?erential Amplier
• 5.3.5 Advanced Topic. Push-Pull. Amplier Classes
• 5.3.6 Advanced Topic. Temperature Compensation
• 5.4 Field-E?ect Transistors
• 5.4.1 JFETs .
• 5.4.2 MOSFETs
• 5.4.3 Advanced Topic. Estimation of the Saturation Current in FETs
• 5.4.4 General properties of FETs
• 5.5 Understanding the Equipment: I-V Curve Tracer
• 5.6 Thyristors
• 5.7 Extra Problems
• 6 Operational Ampliers and Comparators
• 6.1 Hierarchies of Circuits. Op-Amps
• 6.2 Negative Feedback. Simple Amplier Circuits
• 6.3 Analog Math with Ampliers. Mixers
• 6.4 Positive Feedback. Comparators and Triggers
• 6.5 Oscillators
• 6.5.1 Relaxation Oscillator
• 6.5.2 Advanced Topic. Voltage-Controlled Oscillator 6.5.3 Advanced Topic. Crystal Oscillators
• 6.6 Active Frequency Filters
• 6.6.1 Articial Inductors
• 6.6.2 Single Op-Amp Filters
• 6.6.3 Advanced Topic. Cascaded and Optimized Filters 6.6.4 Advanced Topic. Tunable Bandpass Filter
• 6.7 Application: Feedback to Keep a Signal Constant
• 6.8 Open-Collector Comparators and Transistor Logic
• 6.9 Understanding the Equipment: Timing Electronics
• 6.10 The Physics of Lithography
• 6.11 Extra Problems
• 7 Digital Logic
• 7.1 Combinatorial Logic
• 7.2 Bistable Circuits and Dynamic Memory
• 7.3 Flip Flops
• 7.4 Registers. The Concept of Information
• 7.5 Binary Math. Addition Registers
• 7.6 Counters and Sequential Logic. Timing Diagrams
• 7.6.1 Ripple Counter
• 7.6.2 Advanced Topic. 555 Timer
• 7.7 Analog Versus Digital Information
• 7.8 D/A and A/D Conversion. Successive Approximation Register
• 7.9 Advanced Topic. Phase-Locked Loop
• 7.10 Application: Homodyne and Heterodyne Experiments
• 7.11 AM and FM Communication
• 7.12 Understanding the Equipment: Lock-In Detector
• 7.13 Understanding the Equipment: Sampling Scope
• 7.14 Extra Problems
• 8 Processors and Computers
• 8.1 State Machines and Turing Machines
• 8.2 Buses, Three-State Logic, and Handshaking
• 8.3 Memory Addressing
• 8.4 Basic CPU Elements
• 8.5 Advanced Topic. Machine Language Programming
• 8.6 Memory
• 8.6.1 RAM and ROM
• 8.6.2 Magnetic Memory
• 8.7 Advanced Topic. Energy Cost of Information
• 8.8 Understanding the Equipment: Parallel and Serial Buses
• 8.9 Error Correction in Communication
• 8.10 Application: General Concepts of Computer Control of Equipment
• 8.11 Extra Problems
• 9 Interfaces to the Non-Electronic World
• 9.1 Light Detection and Emission
• 9.1.1 Wave Quantization and Photons
• 9.1.2 Incandescent Light Sources
• 9.1.3 Fluorescent Light Sources and Spark Gaps
• 9.1.4 Photodiodes and LEDs
• 9.1.5 Solar Cells
• 9.1.6 Lasers
• 9.1.7 Avalanche Photon Detectors
• 9.2 Understanding the Equipment: Discriminators and Counters
• 9.3 Application: Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting
• 9.4 Particle Detectors
• 9.5 Understanding the Equipment: Multichannel Analyzer
• 9.6 Imaging
• 9.6.1 CCD Imagers
• 9.6.2 LCD Displays 9.6.3 Other Displays
• 9.7 Electrical Control of Motion
• 9.7.1 AC motors
• 9.7.2 Solenoids, Stepper Motors, and Galvos
• 9.7.3 Sound systems
• 9.7.4 Piezoelectrics
• 9.8 Touch Sensors
• 9.9 Extra Problems
• 10 Coherent Electronics
• 10.1 Basic Wave Properties of Electrons
• 10.1.1 Time-Dependent Schrodinger Equation
• 10.1.2 Electron Coherence Length
• 10.1.3 Fermi Velocity of Electrons
• 10.2 Ohm's Law Revisited. Bloch Oscillations and Dephasing
• 10.2.1 Drude Model for a Fermi Gas
• 10.2.2 Bragg Reection and Bloch Oscillations
• 10.2.3 Advanced Topic. Quantitative Derivation of Bloch Oscillations
• 10.3 Advanced Topic. Anderson Localization
• 10.4 Electron Interference in Mesoscopic Circuits
• 10.4.1 Controlled Electron Interference
• 10.4.2 The Aharanov-Bohm E?ect
• 10.4.3 Advanced Topic. Equivalence of the Electric and Magnetic AB E?ects 10.5 Superconductors
• 10.5.1 Boson Coherence and Fermion Pairing
• 10.5.2 Cooper Pairing
• 10.5.3 Josephson Junctions
• 10.5.4 Magnetic Properties of Superconductors
• 10.5.5 Flux Quantization and SQUIDs
• 10.5.6 Type I and Type II Superconductors
• 10.6 Extra Problems 621
• 11 Nanoelectronics
• 11.1 Quantum Connement
• 11.2 MOSFETs and the Two-Dimensional Electron Gas
• 11.3 Quantum Hall E?ects
• 11.3.1 Cyclotron Orbitals and Magnetoresistance
• 11.3.2 Landau Levels in Magnetic Field
• 11.3.3 Shubnikov-De Haas and de Haas-van Alphen Oscillations
• 11.3.4 The Integer Quantum Hall E?ect
• 11.3.5 Advanced Topic. The Fractional Quantum Hall E?ect
• 11.4 Quantum Wires
• 11.5 Quantum Dots
• 11.5.1 Coulomb Blockade
• 11.5.2 Single Photon Emitters
• 11.6 Spin Electronics
• 11.7 Advanced Topic. Quantum Computing Concepts
• 11.8 Extra Problems.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Electronics: A Physical Approach de-mystifies electronics by filling the gap between physical principles and pragmatic circuit design. The authors introduce students to the physics behind the electronics, rather than presenting various tips on circuit building. As a result, students develop an intuition about how devices actually work by building a strong conceptual foundation.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Introduction to the final theory
• Unification, the ancient dream
• Einstein's quest for unification
• Rise of the quantum
• Theory of almost everything
• The dark universe
• Rise of string theory : promise and problems
• Finding meaning in the universe

"Michio Kaku, renowned theoretical physicist and author of Hyperspace and The Future of Humanity, tells the story of the greatest quest in science. When Newton discovered the laws of motion and gravity, he unified the rules of heaven and earth. From then on, physicists have been discovering new forces and incorporating them into ever-greater theories. But the major breakthroughs of the 20th century--relativity and quantum mechanics--are incompatible, and so since then, physicists have been endeavoring to combine these two theories. This would ultimately tie all the forces in the universe together into one beautiful equation that can unlock the deepest mysteries of space and time. That epic journey is the story of this book"-- Provided by publisher

The essential primer for physics students who want to build their physical intuition Presented in A. Zee's incomparably engaging style, this book introduces physics students to the practice of using physical reasoning and judicious guesses to get at the crux of a problem. An essential primer for advanced undergraduates and beyond, Fly by Night Physics reveals the simple and effective techniques that researchers use to think through a problem to its solution-or failing that, to smartly guess the answer-before starting any calculations. In typical physics classrooms, students seek to master an enormous toolbox of mathematical methods, which are necessary to do the precise calculations used in physics. Consequently, students often develop the unfortunate impression that physics consists of well-defined problems that can be solved with tightly reasoned and logical steps. Idealized textbook exercises and homework problems reinforce this erroneous impression. As a result, even the best students can find themselves completely unprepared for the challenges of doing actual research. In reality, physics is replete with back of the envelope estimates, order of magnitude guesses, and fly by night leaps of logic. Including exciting problems related to cutting-edge topics in physics, from Hawking radiation to gravity waves, this indispensable book will help students more deeply understand the equations they have learned and develop the confidence to start flying by night to arrive at the answers they seek. For instructors, a solutions manual is available upon request.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Part I. Basic Energy Physics and Uses: 1. Introduction
• 2. Mechanical energy
• 3. Electromagnetic energy
• 4. Waves and light
• 5. Thermodynamics I: heat and thermal energy
• 6. Heat transfer
• 7. Introduction to quantum physics
• 8. Thermodynamics II: entropy and temperature
• 9. Energy in matter
• 10. Thermal energy conversion
• 11. Internal combustion engines
• 12. Phase-change energy conversion
• 13. Thermal power and heat extraction cycles
• Part II. Energy Sources: 14. The forces of nature
• 15. Quantum phenomena in energy systems
• 16. An overview of nuclear power
• 17. Structure, properties and decays of nuclei
• 18. Nuclear energy processes: fission and fusion
• 19. Nuclear fission reactors and nuclear fusion experiments
• 20. Ionizing radiation
• 21. Energy in the universe
• 22. Solar energy: solar production and radiation
• 23. Solar energy: solar radiation on Earth
• 24. Solar thermal energy
• 25. Photovoltaic solar cells
• 26. Biological energy
• 27. Ocean energy flow
• 28. Wind: a highly variable resource
• 29. Fluids - the basics
• 30. Wind turbines
• 31. Energy from moving water: hydro, wave, tidal, and marine current power
• 32. Geothermal energy
• 33. Fossil fuels
• Part III. Energy System Issues and Externalities: 34. Energy and climate
• 35. Earth's climate: past, present, and future
• 36. Energy efficiency, conservation, and changing energy sources
• 37. Energy storage
• 38. Electricity generation and transmission.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

The Physics of Energy provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the scientific principles governing energy sources, uses, and systems. This definitive textbook traces the flow of energy from sources such as solar power, nuclear power, wind power, water power, and fossil fuels through its transformation in devices such as heat engines and electrical generators, to its uses including transportation, heating, cooling, and other applications. The flow of energy through the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, and systems issues including storage, electric grids, and efficiency and conservation are presented in a scientific context along with topics such as radiation from nuclear power and climate change from the use of fossil fuels. Students, scientists, engineers, energy industry professionals, and concerned citizens with some mathematical and scientific background who wish to understand energy systems and issues quantitatively will find this textbook of great interest.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Prologue: listening to the universe
• Mathematics drives away the cloud
• Shining the torch on electricity and magnetism
• Shining the torch on gravity again
• Quantum mathematics
• The long divorce
• Revolution
• Bad company?
• Jokes and magic lead to the string
• Strung together
• Thinking their way to the Millenium
• Diamonds in the rough
• The best possible times.

How math helps us solve the universe's deepest mysteries One of the great insights of science is that the universe has an underlying order. The supreme goal of physicists is to understand this order through laws that describe the behavior of the most basic particles and the forces between them. For centuries, we have searched for these laws by studying the results of experiments. Since the 1970s, however, experiments at the world's most powerful atom-smashers have offered few new clues. So some of the world's leading physicists have looked to a different source of insight: modern mathematics. These physicists are sometimes accused of doing 'fairy-tale physics', unrelated to the real world. But in The Universe Speaks in Numbers, award-winning science writer and biographer Farmelo argues that the physics they are doing is based squarely on the well-established principles of quantum theory and relativity, and part of a tradition dating back to Isaac Newton. With unprecedented access to some of the world's greatest scientific minds, Farmelo offers a vivid, behind-the-scenes account of the blossoming relationship between mathematics and physics and the research that could revolutionize our understanding of reality. A masterful account of the some of the most groundbreaking ideas in physics in the past four decades. The Universe Speaks in Numbers is essential reading for anyone interested in the quest to discover the fundamental laws of nature.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

'A gripping new drama in science ... if you want to understand how the concept of life is changing, read this' Professor Andrew Briggs, University of Oxford When Darwin set out to explain the origin of species, he made no attempt to answer the deeper question: what is life? For generations, scientists have struggled to make sense of this fundamental question. Life really does look like magic: even a humble bacterium accomplishes things so dazzling that no human engineer can match it. And yet, huge advances in molecular biology over the past few decades have served only to deepen the mystery. So can life be explained by known physics and chemistry, or do we need something fundamentally new? In this penetrating and wide-ranging new analysis, world-renowned physicist and science communicator Paul Davies searches for answers in a field so new and fast-moving that it lacks a name, a domain where computing, chemistry, quantum physics and nanotechnology intersect. At the heart of these diverse fields, Davies explains, is the concept of information: a quantity with the power to unify biology with physics, transform technology and medicine, and even to illuminate the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe. From life's murky origins to the microscopic engines that run the cells of our bodies, The Demon in the Machine is a breath-taking journey across the landscape of physics, biology, logic and computing. Weaving together cancer and consciousness, two-headed worms and bird navigation, Davies reveals how biological organisms garner and process information to conjure order out of chaos, opening a window on the secret of life itself.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)
How does life create order from chaos? And just what is life, anyway? Leading physicist Paul Davies argues that to find the answers, we must first answer a deeper question- 'What is information?' To understand the origins and nature of life, Davies proposes a radical vision of biology which sees the underpinnings of life as similar to circuits and electronics, arguing that life as we know it should really be considered a phenomenon of information storage. In an extraordinary deep dive into the real mechanics of what we take for granted, Davies reveals how biological processes, from photosynthesis to birds' navigation abilities, rely on quantum mechanics, and explores whether quantum physics could prove to be the secret key of all life on Earth. Lively and accessible, The Demon in the Machineboils down intricate interdisciplinary developments to take readers on an eye-opening journey towards the ultimate goal of science- unifying all theories of the living and the non-living, so that humanity can at last understand its place in the universe.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Part I: 1. Historical Perspective
• 2. Thermodynamic and Statistical Aspects of Intermolecular Forces
• 3. Strong Intermolecular Forces: Covalent and Coulomb Interactions
• 4. Interactions Involving Polar Molecules
• 5. Interactions Involving the Polarization of Molecules
• 6. Van Der Waals Forces
• 7. Repulsive Steric Forces, Total Intermolecular Pair Potentials, and Liquid Structure
• 8. Special Interactions: Hydrogen Bonding, Hydrophobic, and Hydrophilic Interactions
• 9. Non-Equilibrium and Time-Dependent Interactions
• Part II: 10. Some Unifying Concepts in Intermolecular and Interparticle Forces
• 11. Contrasts Between Intermolecular, Interparticle, and Intersurface Forces
• 12. Force-Measuring Techniques
• 13. Van Der Waals Forces Between Surfaces in Liquids
• 14. Electrostatic Forces Between Surfaces in Liquids
• 15. Solvation, Structural and Hydration Forces
• 16. Steric (Polymer-Mediated) and Thermal Fluctuation Forces
• 17. Adhesion and Wetting Phenomena
• 18. Friction and Lubrication Forces
• Part III: 19. Thermodynamic Principles of Self-Assembly
• 20. Aggregation of Amphiphilic Molecules into Soft Structures
• 21. Interactions Within and Between Biological Structures
• 22. Dynamic Bio-Interactions.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

This reference describes the role of various intermolecular and interparticle forces in determining the properties of simple systems such as gases, liquids and solids, with a special focus on more complex colloidal, polymeric and biological systems. The book provides a thorough foundation in theories and concepts of intermolecular forces, allowing researchers and students to recognize which forces are important in any particular system, as well as how to control these forces. This third edition is expanded into three sections and contains five new chapters over the previous edition.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Preface Acknowledgments Author biography
• 1. Models of Nature
• 2. Randomness
• 3. Bayesian and frequentist approaches to scientific inference
• 4. The principles of inferential statistics
• 5. Parametric inference
• 6. Prior distributions and equiprobable events in the physical sciences
• 7. Conclusionsthe statistical nature of scientific knowledge Appendix AShort review of some basic concepts Appendix BAbbreviations.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Science often deals with hard-to-see phenomena, and they only stand out and become real when viewed through the lens of complex statistical tools. This book is not a textbook about statistics applied to science - there are already many excellent books to choose from - rather, it tries to give an overview of the basic principles that physical scientists use to analyze their data and bring out the order of Nature from the fog of background noise.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• 1. Light
• 2. Wave Mechanics
• 3. The Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation
• 4. One-Dimensional Potentials
• 5. Principles of Quantum Mechanics
• 6. Quantum Mechanics in three Dimensions
• 7. Identical Particles
• 8. Solid-State Physics
• 9. Nuclear Physics
• 10. Particle Physics A. Special Relativity B. Power-Series Solutions Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

This brilliantly innovative textbook is intended as a first introduction to quantum mechanics and its applications. Townsend's new text shuns the historical ordering that characterizes so-called Modern Physics textbooks and applies a truly modern approach to this subject, starting instead with contemporary single-photon and single-atom interference experiments. The text progresses naturally from a thorough introduction to wave mechanics through applications of quantum mechanics to solid-state, nuclear, and particle physics, thereby including most of the topics normally presented in a Modern Physics course. Examples of topics include blackbody radiation, Bose-Einstein condensation, the band-structure of solids and the silicon revolution, the curve of binding energy and nuclear fission and fusion, and the Standard Model of particle physics. Students can see in quantum mechanics a common thread that ties these topics into a coherent picture of how the world works, a picture that gives students confidence that quantum mechanics really works, too. The book also includes a chapter-length appendix on special relativity for the benefit of students who have not had a previous exposure to this subject.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)