Summaries of books about Physics & Chemistry:
The Only Woman in the Room
Why Science Is Still a Boys' Club
Eileen Pollack
The book explores the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in the sciences, drawing on the author's personal experiences and research to examine cultural, social, and institutional barriers. It delves into the challenges and biases that discourage women from pursuing careers in scientific fields, despite their capabilities and interest.
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On Being
A scientist's exploration of the great questions of existence
Peter Atkins
The book delves into the nature of existence through the lens of scientific inquiry, exploring topics such as the origins of the universe, the laws of nature, and the concept of life. It seeks to provide a deeper understanding of reality by examining philosophical questions with a rigorous, evidence-based approach characteristic of the scientific method.
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Light
A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age
Bruce Watson
The book explores the human understanding and use of light throughout history, from ancient mythologies and Enlightenment discoveries to modern scientific advancements in quantum physics. It delves into the cultural, scientific, and technological developments that have shaped our relationship with light, including the works of luminaries like Newton and Einstein.
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When the Uncertainty Principle Goes to 11
Or How to Explain Quantum Physics with Heavy Metal
Philip Moriarty
The book explores the parallels between quantum mechanics and the world of heavy metal music, using analogies from the latter to explain complex concepts in the former. It aims to make the often-intimidating subject of quantum physics accessible and engaging by drawing comparisons to the energy, unpredictability, and subversive nature of heavy metal.
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The Quantum Divide
Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive
Christopher C. Gerry|Kimberley M. Bruno
The book explores the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and the divide between the quantum and classical worlds, using the famous thought experiment of Schrödinger's cat to illustrate the peculiarities of quantum phenomena. It delves into the concepts of superposition, entanglement, and quantum measurement, aiming to clarify these ideas for a non-specialist audience.
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The Poetry and Music of Science
Comparing Creativity in Science and Art
Tom McLeish
The book explores the parallels between the creative processes in the arts and sciences, arguing that imagination and metaphor play crucial roles in both fields. It delves into historical and contemporary examples to illustrate how scientific and artistic endeavors are interconnected and driven by similar creative impulses.
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The End of Discovery
Are we approaching the boundaries of the knowable?
Russell Stannard
The book explores the possibility that science may soon reach a point where fundamental discoveries are no longer possible due to inherent limits in understanding or technology. It discusses various scientific disciplines, including physics and cosmology, to examine whether there are ultimate limits to what we can know about the universe.
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Know This
Today's Most Interesting and Important Scientific Ideas, Discoveries, and Developments
John Brockman
The book is a compilation of essays from leading scientists, thinkers, and scholars who respond to a thought-provoking question about contemporary scientific understanding and breakthroughs. It covers a wide array of topics, from artificial intelligence and neuroscience to philosophy and climate change, providing insights into the most significant and intriguing scientific ideas and developments of our time.
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