Lightman, Alan P. : Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Summary
What does it mean to say that time and space are relative? How can an electron be in two places at once? For
anyone who wants a basic understanding of the physical processes that define the universe, Lightman provides the
perfect introduction in Great Ideas in Physics. In addition to explaining physics, he brings in relevant passages
from philosophy and literature to demonstrate how these great ideas have impacted the world of thought.
Table of Contents
Chapter I: The Conservation of Energy.
Chapter II: The Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Chapter III: The Relativity of Time.
Chapter IV: The Wave-Particle Duality of Nature.
Appendices:
A: A Review of Some Basic Mathematics.
B: Problems and Discussion Questions.
C: Laboratory.
