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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

• 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

• Volume 1. Statistical physics
• Volume 2. Optics
• Volume 3. Elasticity & fluid dynamics
• Volume 4. Plasma physics
• Volume 5. Relativity & cosmology

"Kip Thorne and Roger Blandford's monumental Modern Classical Physics is now available in five stand-alone volumes that make ideal textbooks for individual graduate or advanced undergraduate courses on statistical physics; optics; elasticity and fluid dynamics; plasma physics; and relativity and cosmology. Each volume teaches the fundamental concepts, emphasizes modern, real-world applications, and gives students a physical and intuitive understanding of the subject. Relativity and Cosmology is an essential introduction to the subject, including remarkable recent advances. Written by award-winning physicists who have made fundamental contributions to the field and taught it for decades, the book differs from most others on the subject in important ways. It highlights recent transformations in our understanding of black holes, gravitational waves, and the cosmos; it emphasizes the physical interpretation of general relativity in terms of measurements made by observers; it explains the physics of the Riemann tensor in terms of tidal forces, differential frame dragging, and associated field lines; it presents an astrophysically oriented description of spinning black holes; it gives a detailed analysis of an incoming gravitational wave's interaction with a detector such as LIGO; and it provides a comprehensive, in-depth account of the universe's evolution, from its earliest moments to the present. While the book is designed to be used for a one-quarter or full-semester course, it goes deep enough to provide a foundation for understanding and participating in some areas of cutting-edge research. Includes many exercise problems Features color figures, suggestions for further reading, extensive cross-references, and a detailed index Optional "Track 2" sections make this an ideal book for a one-quarter or one-semester course An online illustration package is available to professors The five volumes, which are available individually as paperbacks and ebooks, are Statistical Physics; Optics; Elasticity and Fluid Dynamics; Plasma Physics; and Relativity and Cosmology." --Amazon.com

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)

'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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• * B. Webster, Geometry and categorification* Y. Li, A geometric realization of modified quantum algebras* T. Lawson, R. Lipshitz, and S. Sarkar, The cube and the Burnside category* S. Chun, S. Gukov, and D. Roggenkamp, Junctions of surface operators and categorification of quantum groups* R. Rouquier, Khovanov-Rozansky homology and 2-braid groups* I. Cherednik and I. Danilenko, DAHA approach to iterated torus links.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

The emergent mathematical philosophy of categorification is reshaping our view of modern mathematics by uncovering a hidden layer of structure in mathematics, revealing richer and more robust structures capable of describing more complex phenomena. Categorification is a powerful tool for relating various branches of mathematics and exploiting the commonalities between fields. It provides a language emphasizing essential features and allowing precise relationships between vastly different fields. This volume focuses on the role categorification plays in geometry, topology, and physics. These articles illustrate many important trends for the field including geometric representation theory, homotopical methods in link homology, interactions between higher representation theory and gauge theory, and double affine Hecke algebra approaches to link homology. The companion volume (Contemporary Mathematics, Volume 683) is devoted to categorification and higher representation theory.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Part I. Foundations. Newtonian physics : geometric viewpoint ; Special relativity : geometric viewpoint
• Part II. Statistical physics. Kinetic theory ; Statistical mechanics ; Statistical thermodynamics ; Random processes
• Part III. Optics. Geometric optics ; Diffraction ; Interference and coherence ; Nonlinear optics
• Part IV. Elasticity. Elastostatics ; Elastodynamics
• Part V. Fluid dynamics. Foundations of fluid dynamics ; Vorticity ; Turbulence ; Waves ; Compressible and supersonic flow ; Convection ; Magnetohydrodynamics
• Part VI. Plasma physics. The particle kinetics of plasma ; Waves in cold plasmas : two-fluid formalism ; Kinetic theory of warm plasmas ; Nonlinear dynamics of plasmas
• Part VII. General relativity. From special to general relativity ; Fundamental concepts of general relativity ; Relativistic stars and black holes ; Gravitational waves and experimental tests of general relativity ; Cosmology.

This first-year, graduate-level text and reference book covers the fundamental concepts and twenty-first-century applications of six major areas of classical physics that every masters- or PhD-level physicist should be exposed to, but often isn't: statistical physics, optics (waves of all sorts), elastodynamics, fluid mechanics, plasma physics, and special and general relativity and cosmology. Growing out of a full-year course that the eminent researchers Kip Thorne and Roger Blandford taught at Caltech for almost three decades, this book is designed to broaden the training of physicists. Its six main topical sections are also designed so they can be used in separate courses, and the book provides an invaluable reference for researchers. Presents all the major fields of classical physics except three prerequisites: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and elementary thermodynamics Elucidates the interconnections between diverse fields and explains their shared concepts and tools Focuses on fundamental concepts and modern, real-world applications Takes applications from fundamental, experimental, and applied physics; astrophysics and cosmology; geophysics, oceanography, and meteorology; biophysics and chemical physics; engineering and optical science and technology; and information science and technology Emphasizes the quantum roots of classical physics and how to use quantum techniques to elucidate classical concepts or simplify classical calculations Features hundreds of color figures, some five hundred exercises, extensive cross-references, and a detailed index An online illustration package is available to professors.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)