Book Description

1928. Other volumes in this set include ISBN number(s): 0766126056. Volume 1 of 2. (This description is for both volumes.) Contains much of Bacon's principle writings in mathematics, optics, experimental science, and philosophy. Bacon is regarded as the first modern scientist.This is one of his major works with 8 plates and 72 illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Mass determination is of fundamental importance for science, technology and economics. Technical measuring systems range from ultramicro balances to weighing machines for freight trains; massive objects range from subatomic particles to galaxies. Comprehensive and topical, this reference work - edited by scientists of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany - covers the whole field of mass determination. Starting from physical foundations, it describes virtually all measurement techniques in detail and gives a thorough overview over scientific experiments related to the determination of mass. Reports on contemporary problems, such as a new definition of the kilogram, historical excursions and an unparalleled list of references make this book an absolute must for everyone dealing with questions relating to mass determination in fundamental research, technical application, calibration service, and standardization, and also for teachers and historians. ... Read more

Book Description

Loop representations (and the related topic of knot theory) are of considerable current interest because they provide a unified arena for the study of the gauge invariant quantization of Yang-Mills theories and gravity, and suggest a promising approach to the eventual unification of the four fundamental forces. This text provides a self-contained introduction to applications of loop representations and knot theory in particle physics and quantum gravity. The book begins with a detailed review of loop representation theory. It then goes on to describe loop representations in Maxwell theory, Yang-Mills theories, as well as lattice techniques.The authors then discuss applications in quantum gravity in detail.Following chapters consider knot theories, braid theories and extended loop representations in quantum gravity.A final chapter assesses the current status of the theory and points out possible directions for future research. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Plenty of material; conisely written
This title is no lie; readers interested in loops / knots / gauge theories *OR* quantum gravity can gain from reading this text, but to do so some skipping around is needed. On the other hand, the programme of quantum gravity associated with the Ashtekhar's ``new variables" is carefully and clearly laid down in this monograph; that is how this reviewer read the text --- straight through in search of the results associated with the new variables. The going can be tough at times in the initial sections, which outline the group of loops and holonomy theory but that strain is only temporary since readers are rewarded in their investment by a thorough practice section that casts Yang Mills theory in the space of loops before turning to QG itself. At times in discussions of ``loop quantum gravity" the question of where kinematics ends and dynamics begins can be obscure, but not so in this text. Further, where the programme is successful is spelled out clearly. However, the programme of loop quantum gravity has adjusted somewhat since publication of this text (particularly with respect to rigorous proof of the existence of the loop transform, selection of an inner product on the Hilbert space of states, and spin foams --- which are *not* overcomplete) so readers should be warned that there is more to this story. But what is presented in this text is more then enough to whet readers appetites.

In short, this text is well worth the effort for readers seeking to understand the `loop QG' programme. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a revised edition of a classic and highly regarded book, first published in 1981, describing the status of theory and experiment in general relativity. This book offers a comprehensive survey of the intensive research and testing of general relativity that has been conducted over the past three decades.As a foundation for this survey, the book first introduces the important principles of gravitation theory, developing the mathematical formalism that is necessary to carry out specific computations so that theoretical predictions can be compared with experimental findings.It provides an up-to-date survey of experimental results, not only for Einstein's "classical" tests, such as deflection of light and the perihelion of Mercury, but also for new solar-system tests, never envisioned by Einstein, that make use of the high-precision space and laboratory technologies of today.The book goes on to explore new arenas for testing gravitation theory in black holes, neutron stars, gravitational waves and cosmology. Included is a systematic account of the remarkable "binary pulsar" PSR 1913+16, which has yielded precise confirmation of the existence of gravitational waves. A new chapter has been added to cover recent important experimental tests, and the bibliography has been brought up to date. ... Read more

Book Description

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the publication of Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Stephen Hawking and Werner Israel assembled a series of unique review papers by many of the world's foremost researchers in cosmology, relativity, and particle physics.The resulting volume reflects the significant and exciting advances that have been made in these fields since the editors' acclaimed volume, General Relativity: An Einstein Centenary Survey (CUP 1979). Newton's immense contribution to the physical sciences is assessed, and its relevance to today's physics made clear. The international group of contributors then chart the major developments in the study of gravitation, from Newtonian gravity to black hole physics.In the fields of galaxy formation, inflationary and quantum cosmology, and superstring unification, the book provides important overviews written by workers involved in the many advances described.By shaping such a wide-ranging and scholarly series of articles into a cohesive whole, the editors have created a fitting and lasting memorial to the man who continues to inspire scientists the world over. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a physicists companion
this is the best book on gravitation. each and every physics student should work out with this book.this is a real genius' intellect.
it describes everything from newton's theory to einstein's work.so just have it .....if you want to expand your brain. each and every time you read this book you will learn something new. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Highly recommended
As an engineer I feel obligated to keep up to speed with things scientific, and I also have an interest in Physics. This book definitely updates modern Physics to an average reader, and has many interesting stories to supplement the material. It has just the right mix of science, history and math to keep the reader interested. I seriously recommend it to all interested in Physics. ... Read more

Book Description

The internationally renowned physicist Harald Fritzsch deftly explains the meaning and far-flung implications of the general theory of relativity and other mysteries of modern physics by presenting an imaginary conversation among Newton, Einstein, and a fictitious contemporary particle physicist named Adrian Haller. In this entertaining and involving account of relativity, Newton serves as the skeptic and asks the questions a modern reader might ask. Einstein himself does the explaining, while Haller explains the new developments that have occurred since the general theory was proposed.

Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive and self-contained exposition of gravitational lensing phenomena. It presents the up-to-date status of gravitational lensing and microlensing, covering the cosmological applications of the observed lensing by galaxies, clusters and the large scale structures, as well as the microlensing searches in the Local Group and its applications to unveil the nature of the galactic dark matter, the search for planetary objects and the distribution of faint stars in our galaxy.

Gravitational Lensing and Microlensing is pitched at the level of the graduate student interested in the issues of astrophysics and cosmology, and should be useful for specialist researchers as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Orbiting spacecraft provide a valuable laboratory for experiments on physical and biological systems in a reduced gravity environment. In these experiments, fluid masses containing bubbles and drops are encountered routinely. This original work provides a clear, thorough review of the motion of bubbles and drops in reduced gravity, particularly motion caused by variations in interfacial tension arising from temperature gradients on their surfaces. The emphasis is on theoretical analysis from first principles; experimental results are discussed and compared with predictions where appropriate. Students and researchers interested in fluid mechanics in reduced gravity will welcome this state-of-the-art reference. ... Read more

Book Description

This book tackles quantum gravity via the so-called background field method and its effective action functional. The author presents an explicitly covariant and effective technique to calculate the de Witt coefficients and to analyze the Schwinger-de Wit asymptotic expansion of the effective action. He also investigates the ultraviolet behaviour of higher-derivative quantum gravity. The book addresses theoretical physicists, graduate students as well as researchers, but should also be of interest to physicists working in mathematical or elementary particle physics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Some of the best in mathematical physics!
Spectral theory for the heat equation represents one of the
more exciting points of interaction between math and physics:
It also serves as a deep link, via spectral theory, between geometry(math), and quantum gravity(physics). While the subject has roots far back, this lovely book presents some of the more exciting developments in the past decade. One of the success stories in interdisciplinary theoretical science! It is well written, and will be a great source for grad students. This very nice book further points toward the research trends of the future. Moreover, the results presented in the book are timeless. The book will be of value also ten years from now. Being an acknowledged authority in the subject, this author is in a unique position to write a book on the central themes and theories in the subject. ... Read more

Book Description

The first part is devoted to the topic of quantum gravity and string theories, mainly concerned with recent authoritative results in the study of discretizations in classical and quantum general relativity, non-commutative theories of gravity, (2+1)-dimensional supergravity, and Berezin description of Kaehler quotients. The field to particle transition problem is also considered. The second part deals with cosmology and black holes. Here, cosmological, inflationary, and braneworld scenarios are investigated. Moreover, some scalar field models for the dark matter content of the universe as well as new models of protostellar collapse and fragmentation are presented. This part includes also a study of de Sitter/Anti-de Sitter phase transition for black holes, an understanding of hairy black holes and an improvement of the no-hair theorem proof for the Proca field. The third part is devoted to exact solutions, in particular classical and quantum cosmological solutions in scalar-tensor theories. Additionally, a discussion about conformally flat axisymmetric spacetimes and some considerations on accelerated expansion in scalar-tensor theories are presented. Experimental and some mixed topics are included in the final part. Among them is an experimental foundation of nonlocality and superluminal signal velocity in photonic tunneling, a proposal for testing the weak equivalence principle for charged particles in space. Moreover, a possible new type of skewon field linked to Maxwell theory is also presented, and an authoritative discussion at the interface of quantum and gravitational realms. ... Read more

Book Description

Physicists are pondering on the possibility of simulating black holes in the laboratory by means of various "analog models". These analog models, typically based on condensed matter physics, can be used to help us understand general relativity (Einstein’s gravity); conversely, abstract techniques developed in general relativity can sometimes be used to help us understand certain aspects of condensed matter physics. This book contains 13 chapters — written by experts in general relativity, particle physics, and condensed matter physics — that explore various aspects of this two-way traffic. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

mixed feelings
Useful view of condensed matter physics using the language of
relativistic gravity and quantum fields. But only suggestive
as analogy ... Read more