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 | The Atom and the Apple: |
Where is mankind located in the Universe? What goes on inside atoms? Was Einstein always right? Will we find extraterrestrial life in the near future? And what should be done about global warming? Sébastien Balibar, a leading authority in physics, uses illuminating stories from his own life to answer the most intriguing questions in the physical sciences today. The Atom and the Apple considers aspects of our environment--the things we see around us, but seldom truly understand--and shows that science can be an exciting adventure grounded in the phenomena of the daily world. Balibar examines twelve problems spanning the frontiers of physics, and he devotes a chapter to each issue. He looks at chaos theory, cosmology, fluid mechanics, and climatology. He explains how we discovered the age of the Earth, how we know the Universe is expanding ever more rapidly, and why the spiral patterns of pinecones and sunflowers are related to the Golden Ratio in mathematics. He scrutinizes how the collective behavior of atoms leads to such amazing results as lasers, superconductors, or superfluids. As Balibar invites us to appreciate the physics hidden within the sights and sounds of the natural world, he also recounts the experiences of his childhood and career that were pivotal to his lifelong passion for science. Written for general readers, The Atom and the Apple explores fascinating aspects of our world, and demonstrates why the pursuit of scientific knowledge is well worth everyone's time, regardless of scientific background. Sébastien Balibar is professor of physics at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Praise for the original French edition: "With this book, Balibar shows that physics research, even at the École Normale Superieure, is not enclosed by an ivory tower. Rather than transform the discipline into a kind of pure abstraction in which mathematics takes precedence over reality, this author resolutely inscribes physics into everyday life--in particular, his everyday life--as if to show that a scientist always sees the world through the instrument of his knowledge, or to convince readers that childhood questions bear investigation throughout one's entire life."--Le Monde Praise for the original French edition: "Balibar has written...a beautiful book about working as a researcher, using simple explanations of facts based on experience, and questions that apply to everyone. His testimony is honest, fun, and important."--La Recherche Endorsements: "For those tired of reading about a landscape of a zillion possible universes, each with its own physics and self-appointed prophets navigating around the swampland in search of other villages, Sébastien Balibar offers a refreshing romp through physics rooted in experimental reality, and even, in everyday reality. As a theorist, I am enthralled."--A. Zee, author of Fearful Symmetry and An Old Man's Toy "This is a delightful smorgasbord of reflections on physics, its history and its practice, which can be read with pleasure even by those who found the subject frightening at school. Balibar is an excellent tour guide!"--Tony Leggett, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign "This interesting book is indeed a significant addition to the field of popular science. With an engaging tone, The Atom and the Apple examines not only some deep contemporary problems, but also everyday phenomena. Balibar conveys to the reader that doing research in the frontiers of physics is a wonderful great adventure."--Pierre A. Piroué, Princeton University Subject Areas:
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