History of Physics: A Very Short Introduction

Physics, as a highly professionalized enterprise, has its roots in Ancient Greece as a liberal art. This Very Short Introduction explores the path from ancient philosophy to modern international projects, highlighting the shifting relationship between physics, philosophy, mathematics, and technology and its implications for humankind's self-understanding.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 192 pages
\n Publication date: 25 January 2018
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Physics, once a liberal art in Ancient Greece, has evolved into a highly professionalized enterprise, deeply intertwined with government and industry. This transformation has led to a remarkable journey from the ancient philosophy of nature and its focus on humankind's place in the universe to modern massive international projects aimed at hunting down fundamental particles and manufacturing marvels. This Very Short Introduction offers a comprehensive exploration of this evolution, tracing the path from Islamic astronomers and mathematicians calculating the size of the earth during their conquests to medieval scholar-theologians investigating light. It also delves into the works of Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton, who measured and attempted to explain the universe. The book takes readers on a historical journey, visiting the House of Wisdom in 9th-century Baghdad, Europe's first universities, the courts of the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and the academies of the 18th century. It highlights the shifting relationship between physics, philosophy, mathematics, and technology, and its implications for humankind's self-understanding. Throughout the book, Heilbron explores the changing place and purpose of physics in the cultures and societies that have nurtured it over the centuries. The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press is renowned for its concise and accessible books, providing a perfect introduction to new subjects for students and general readers alike. With its expert authors and engaging writing style, this book offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of physics.

\n Weight: 146g\n
Dimension: 175 x 113 x 10 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780199684120\n \n