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Aimed at presenting the essentials of physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy in a clear, easy-to-understand way,
The Physical Universe shows students how science works, how scientists approach problems, and why science constantly evolves in its search for understanding. The book concentrates on those aspects of the physical sciences most relevant to a nonscientist who wants to understand how the universe works and to know something about the connections between science and everyday life. The new edition continues the important theme of helping students become well-informed citizens.
The new edition of
The Physical Universe is also available in McGraw Hill Connect, featuring SmartBook 2.0, STEM Prep Modules, Application-Based Activities, a Curated Question Bank, and more!
List of contents
Chapter 1: The Scientific Method
Chapter 2: Motion
Chapter 3: Energy
Chapter 4: Energy and the Future
Chapter 5: Matter and Heat
Chapter 6: Electricity and Magnetism
Chapter 7: Waves
Chapter 8: The Nucleus
Chapter 9: The Atom
Chapter 10: The Periodic Law
Chapter 11: Crystals, Ions, and Solutions
Chapter 12: Chemical Reactions
Chapter 13: Organic Chemistry
Chapter 14: Atmosphere and Hydrosphere
Chapter 15: The Rock Cycle
Chapter 16: The Evolving Earth
Chapter 17: The Solar System
Chapter 18: The Stars
Chapter 19: The Universe
About the author
Konrad B. Krauskopf was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin and earned a B.S. in chemistry from University of Wisconsin in 1931. He then earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California in Berkeley. When the Great Depression made jobs in chemistry scarce, Professor Krauskopf decided to study geology, which had long fascinated him. Through additional graduate work at Stanford University, he earned a second Ph.D. and eventually a position on the Stanford faculty. He remained at Stanford until his retirement in 1976. During his tenure, Professor Krauskopf also worked at various times with the U.S. Geological Survey, served with the U.S. army in occupied Japan, and traveled to Norway, France, and Germany on sabbatical leaves. His research interests included field work on granites and metamorphic rocks and laboratory study on applications of chemistry to geologic problems, especially the formation of ore deposits. In recent years, Professor Krauskopf had spent time working with various government agencies on the problem of radioactive waste disposal. Professor Krauskopf passed away on May 8, 2003.
Arthur Beiser, a native of New York City, received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in physics from New York University, where he later served as Associate Professor of Physics. He then was a Senior Research Scientist at the Lamont Geo- logical Observatory of Columbia University. His research interests were chiefly in cosmic rays and in magnetohydrodynamics as applied to geophysics and astrophys- ics. In addition to theoretical work, he participated in a cosmic-ray expedition to an Alaskan peak and directed a search for magnetohydrodynamic waves from space in various Pacific locations. A Fellow of The Explorers Club, Dr. Beiser was the first chairman of its Committee on Space Exploration. He is the author or coauthor of 36 books, mostly college texts on physics and mathematics, 14 of which have been translated into a total of 27 languages. Two of his books are on sailing, The Proper Yacht and The Sailor’s World. Figure 13-21 is a photograph of Dr. Beiser at the helm of his 58-ft sloop; he and his wife Germaine have sailed over 150,000 miles, includ- ing two Atlantic crossings and a rounding of Cape Horn. Germaine Beiser, who has degrees in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University, is the author or coauthor of seven books on various aspects of physics and has contributed to The Physical Universe. For a number of years she was the editor of a cruising guide to the Adriatic Sea.
