This text contains a running story line about how the current physics "world view" came to be. This story line is divided into nine parts framed by an introductory chapter ("A World View") which puts the approach into context. This approach gives non-science students an appreciation for the laws of nature and physics contribution to that understanding.
Preface xix
1 A World View
2 Describing Motion
3 Explaining Motion
4 Motions in Space
5 Gravity
INTERLUDE THE DISCOVERY OF INVARIANTS 97
6 Momentum
7 Energy
8 Rotation
INTERLUDE UNIVERSALITY OF MOTION 157
9 Classical Relativity
10 Einstein's Relativity
INTERLUDE THE SEARCH FOR ATOMS 211
11 Structure of Matter
12 States of Matter
13 Thermal Energy
14 Available Energy
INTERLUDE WAVES--SOMETHING ELSE THAT MOVES
15 Vibrations and Waves
16 Sound and Music
INTERLUDE THE MYSTERY OF LIGHT 345
17 Light
18 Refraction of Light
19 A Model for Light
INTERLUDE AN ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC WORLD
20 Electricity
21 Electric Charges in Motion
22 Electromagnetism
INTERLUDE THE STORY OF THE QUANTUM 481
23 The Early Atom
24 The Modern Atom
INTERLUDE THE SUBATOMIC WORLD 534
25 The Nucleus
26 Nuclear Energy
27 Elementary Particles
28 Frontiers
Appendix Nobel Laureates in Physics
Answers to Odd-Numbered Questions and Exercises
Figure Credits
Glossary
Index