Observational Foundations of Physics (Paperback)

Alan Cook

ISBN 10: 0521455979 / ISBN 13: 9780521455978

Verlag: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1994

Beschreibung

Paperback. This intriguing book examines the questions of how the ways in which we observe the world determine theories of physics and how we can get reliable results that enable us to make secure predictions. The first chapters deal with the theories of quantum mechanics and relativity and are followed by a discussion of chaotic dynamics. The uncertainty of observations and probabilistic agruments in physics are then treated. Finally, it is argued that the success of prediction is reason for believing in the existence of a world independent of ourselves. The central models of theoretical physics have been extraordinarily successful in describing and predicting the behavior of physical systems under an enormous range of conditions. But why are these mathematical theories so successful, and how is their structure influenced by the nature of the observations on which they are inevitably based? This intriguing book examines these subtle and fundamental issues, and investigates the complex interdependency of theory and experiment.Dealing with important and basic aspects of the general framework of physics, this book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students in the physical sciences, and to anyone with an interest in the empirical and metaphysical foundations of science. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 9780521455978

Bibliografische Details

• Titel: Observational Foundations of Physics (Paperback)
• Verlag: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Erscheinungsjahr: 1994
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN-10: 0521455979
• ISBN-13: 9780521455978
• Einband: Paperback
• Zustand: new

Über diesen Titel

Inhaltsangabe

An exploration of the relationship between mathematical theories and physical observations.

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Charlotte y Peter Fiell son dos autoridades en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño y han escrito más de sesenta libros sobre la materia, muchos de los cuales se han convertido en éxitos de ventas. También han impartido conferencias y cursos como profesores invitados, han comisariado exposiciones y asesorado a fabricantes, museos, salas de subastas y grandes coleccionistas privados de todo el mundo. Los Fiell han escrito numerosos libros para TASCHEN, entre los que se incluyen 1000 Chairs, Diseño del siglo XX, El diseño industrial de la A a la Z, Scandinavian Design y Diseño del siglo XXI.