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This book describes and explains the world of particle accelerators and the physics they study. The presentation is non-technical (E=mc2 is the only equation!) and the prose accessible. By following the co-evolution of particle accelerators and particle physics, readers will learn why the accelerators are built, how they work, and what "results" they produce. The book highlights the great ideas (e.g. synchrotron) and technological advances (superconducting magnets) that boosted the potential of accelerators and led to new discoveries, eventually resulting in the standard model of particle physics. Many concepts are illustrated with figures derived from three-dimensional models; these include the accelerators, detectors, and particles. Background information about the main protagonists, along with pointers to further reading, e.g. from "Scientific American," are provided in end notes.

Particle accelerators. --- Particles (Nuclear physics). --- Physics --- Accelerator Physics. --- Particle Physics. --- History of Physics and Astronomy. --- History.

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At long last, with sufficient technical details, emphasizing key historical moments, a book that develops all of fundamental modern theoretical physics from energy considerations in a compact form. Starting with a few electron-volts of atoms in the quantum world at low energies extending up to quantum gravity and beyond to the birth of the Universe, readers will experience the entire spectrum of fundamental modern theoretical physics, with one theory leading to another in an integrated unified manner. Energy considerations lead to the development of special and general relativity, quantum field theory, renormalization theory, modern quantum electrodynamics, electro-weak theory, the standard model of particle physics, grand unified theories, string theory, the current standard model of inflationary big bang theory, and even to the birth of the Higgs field, and in developments of quantum gravity. Unfortunately, due to strong specialization within their fields, students and many practicing physicists are exposed only to parts of the beautiful story of modern fundamental physics. Here the entire story is told! This is a must-read book for graduate students, advanced undergraduate students, instructors and professionals who are interested in all aspects of fundamental modern theoretical physics and key historical moments in its development.

Physics --- Mathematical physics. --- History of Physics and Astronomy. --- Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics. --- History.

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This book provides a solution to the problem with the energy concept. This problem manifests itself in the fact that physicists clearly diverge regarding the question of what energy is. Some define it but others state that we do not know what it is. Although this is a problem for physicists who need to explain the concept, it is not a problem for physics that can be solved by laboratory means. Penetrating into the origin of the notion of energy, this book offers a clear idea of what was discovered and what was invented to interpret the findings. Following the development of the concept, it provides an explanation of the trends in contemporary textbooks. The author's repetition, in his "History and Philosophy of Physics Laboratory", of Joule’s famous experiment – the paddle wheel experiment – with a calorimeter as originally used by Joule and with a calorimeter as proposed in textbooks, is presented, yielding new insight into the phenomenon. Thus, science teachers and students will benefit from reading the book as well as historians, philosophers, students of the history and philosophy of science, and all who are interested in knowing about what it is that we call energy.

Physics --- Thermodynamics. --- Mathematical physics. --- History of Physics and Astronomy. --- Philosophy of Physics. --- Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics. --- History. --- Philosophy.

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In 2017, over 200 million Americans witnessed the spectacular total eclipse of the Sun, and the 2024 eclipse is expected to draw even larger crowds. In anticipation of this upcoming event, this book takes us back in history over 150 years, telling the story of the nation’s first ever eclipse chasers. Our tale follows the chaotic journeys of scientists and amateur astronomers as they trekked across the western United States to view the rare phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. The fascinating story centers on the expeditions of the 1869 total eclipse, which took place during the turbulent age of the chimerical Planet Vulcan and Civil War Reconstruction. The protagonists—a motley crew featuring astronomical giants like Simon Newcomb and pioneering female astronomers like Maria Mitchell—were met with unanticipated dangers, mission-threatening accidents, and eccentric characters only the West could produce. Theirs is a story of astronomical proportions. Along the way, we will make several stops across the booming US railroad network, traveling from viewing sites as familiar as Des Moines, Iowa, to ones as distant and strange as newly acquired Alaska. From equipment failures and botched preparations to quicksand and apocalyptic ‘comets’, welcome to the wild, western world of solar eclipses.

Physics—History. --- Astronomy—Observations. --- United States—History. --- Science—History. --- History of Physics and Astronomy. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- US History. --- History of Science.

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The Barnard Objects have fascinated professional and amateur astronomers for over one hundred years. Many of those objects first imaged by E.E. Barnard on black-and-white photographic plates are now being captured daily in thousands of color astrophotographs. This book tells of Barnard’s story; describing his life and work as well as how the fields of astronomy and astrophotography have transformed ever since. The chapters in this book are equal parts history and science. It will provide readers with an introduction to nebula science and the incredible discoveries made in this field over the decades; including an overview of popular astronomical catalogues and a detailed look at how astronomical imaging has advanced since Barnard’s time, from early plates to digital imaging and chips. In addition, the book features a comprehensive guide to viewing and imaging these objects yourself. A glossary of astronomical and photographic terms is provided, along with detailed references. And, an updated table displaying the locations of these Barnard Objects; including the missing twenty-five objects from E.E. Barnard’s original catalogue. Richly researched and illustrated, this fascinating reference will attract astronomers of all skill levels interested in astrophotography and how it has changed over the past hundred years.

Astronomy—Observations. --- Physics—History. --- Science—History. --- Photography. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- History of Physics and Astronomy. --- History of Science. --- Astronomical photography --- Astronomy --- History --- Barnard, Edward Emerson,