Description
Book SynopsisThis book offers an informal, easy-to-understand account of topics in modern physics and mathematics. The focus is, in particular, on statistical mechanics, soft matter, probability, chaos, complexity, and models, as well as their interplay. The book features 28 key entries and it is carefully structured so as to allow readers to pursue different paths that reflect their interests and priorities, thereby avoiding an excessively systematic presentation that might stifle interest. While the majority of the entries concern specific topics and arguments, some relate to important protagonists of science, highlighting and explaining their contributions. Advanced mathematics is avoided, and formulas are introduced in only a few cases. The book is a user-friendly tool that nevertheless avoids scientific compromise. It is of interest to all who seek a better grasp of the world that surrounds us and of the ideas that have changed our perceptions.
Trade Review“Each topic is discussed in a brief chapter, at a technical level that could be followed by first-year students of physics and mathematics, but also by wider parts of the public. Each chapter contains a statement of the topic, a brief history, and describes a number of examples … . The book makes a pleasant reading, full of wit and of surprising turns. I think that it can be useful to the general reader … motivate students … .” (Luca Peliti, Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 185, 2021)
Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Introduction.- Chapter 2 - Atoms, Irreversibility, Probability, Statistical Mechanics, Entropy.- Chapter 3 - Probability, Entropy, Chaos.- Chapter 4 - Chaos, Prediction.- Chapter 5 - Prediction, Turbulence, Models.- Chapter 6 - Models, Richardson.- Chapter 7 - Boltzmann, Statistical Mechanics, Brownian Motion.- Chapter 8 - Boltzmann, Atoms, Statistical Mechanics, Mesoscale Systems.- Chapter 9 - Prediction: Chaos, Poincaré, Richardson, Models, Big data.- Chapter 10 - Statistical Mechanics: Atoms, Boltzmann, Maxwell.
