The Ascent of ScienceFrom the revolutionary discoveries of Galileo and Newton to the mind-bending theories of Einstein and Heisenberg, from plate tectonics to particle physics, from the origin of life to universal entropy, and from biology to cosmology, here is a sweeping, readable, and dynamic account of the whole of Western science. In the approachable manner and method of Stephen Jay Gould and Carl Sagan, the late Brian L. Silver translates our most important, and often most obscure, scientific developments into a vernacular that is not only accessible and illuminating but also enjoyable. Silver makes his comprehensive case with much clarity and insight; his book aptly locates science as the apex of human reason, and reason as our best path to the truth. For all readers curious about--or else perhaps intimidated by--what Silver calls "the scientific campaign up to now" in his Preface, The Ascent of Science will be fresh, vivid, and fascinating reading. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 82
Page 3
... Molecules In this chapter , and elsewhere in this book , the word molecule will make many ap- pearances . What is a molecule ? For the moment think of it this way : Take a glass of water and divide its contents into four cups ; you will ...
... Molecules In this chapter , and elsewhere in this book , the word molecule will make many ap- pearances . What is a molecule ? For the moment think of it this way : Take a glass of water and divide its contents into four cups ; you will ...
Page 4
... molecule of water . Look at Figure 1.1 . Most of you will recall that water is also known as H 2 0 , which is just a ... molecular at- mosphere of gas within which we live and without which we cannot survive . Those few of us , such as ...
... molecule of water . Look at Figure 1.1 . Most of you will recall that water is also known as H 2 0 , which is just a ... molecular at- mosphere of gas within which we live and without which we cannot survive . Those few of us , such as ...
Page 5
... molecules move . That is the real subject of this chapter , and it has implications that reach far beyond the nature of gases . The Violent Crowd Look at Figure 1.2 . It shows an imaginary cubical box constructed in the air of the room ...
... molecules move . That is the real subject of this chapter , and it has implications that reach far beyond the nature of gases . The Violent Crowd Look at Figure 1.2 . It shows an imaginary cubical box constructed in the air of the room ...
Page 6
... molecular motion . The concept of temperature and the nature of heat both have a deep connection with molecular motion , and molecular motion has a strange connection with the arrow of time and the death of the uni- verse . Back to the ...
... molecular motion . The concept of temperature and the nature of heat both have a deep connection with molecular motion , and molecular motion has a strange connection with the arrow of time and the death of the uni- verse . Back to the ...
Page 7
... molecule ( less correctly , its weight ) and the temperature of the gas . The ques- tion needs sharpening . Since any ... molecular speeds in gases to the speeds of more fa- miliar objects , again in miles per hour : Concorde in full ...
... molecule ( less correctly , its weight ) and the temperature of the gas . The ques- tion needs sharpening . Since any ... molecular speeds in gases to the speeds of more fa- miliar objects , again in miles per hour : Concorde in full ...
Contents
Part Two | 27 |
Part Three | 79 |
Part Four | 111 |
Part Five | 181 |
Part Six | 251 |
Part Seven | 355 |
Part Eight | 415 |
Part Nine | 477 |
Part Ten | 507 |
513 | |
519 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acceleration amino acids appear atoms basic behavior believe Big Bang body carbon cells century chemical chemistry chromosomes completely concept contains crystal Darwin Descartes Earth effect Einstein electric electromagnetic electron elementary particles elements energy Enlightenment entropy enzyme equation evolution example existence experiments fact Faraday Figure frequencies galaxies Galilean invariance Galileo gases gene genetic give gravity heat helium Higgs boson human hydrogen hydrogen atom idea laws of motion living look mass material mathematical matter means measure metal million molecular molecules moving mutant nature neutron Newton Newtonian nucleus observed organism oxygen particles path philosopher photons physical physicist planets predict probability problem produced proteins Pythagoras quantum mechanics quarks radiation reason relativity result scientific scientists second law space special relativity species speed of light stars structure surface temperature theory tion universe velocity wave function
Popular passages
Page 12 - I now have before me a road which will lead us from the contemplation of the true God (in whom all the treasures of science and wisdom are contained) to the knowledge of the other objects of the universe. For, first of all, I recognise it to be impossible that He should ever deceive me...