عنوان

The natural laws of the universe :

(Number (ISBN

0387734546 (pbk.)

(Number (ISBN

9780387734545 (pbk.)

Country Code

bnb

Number

b426422

Title Proper

The natural laws of the universe :

General Material Designation

[Book]

Other Title Information

understanding fundamental constants /

First Statement of Responsibility

Jean-Philippe Uzan, Bénédicte Leclercq

Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.

Chichester, UK :

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Published in association with Praxis Pub.,

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

c2008

Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item

x, 135 p. :

Other Physical Details

ill. ;

Dimensions

25 cm

Series Title

Springer-Praxis books in popular astronomy

Text of Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [127]-128) and index

Text of Note

Foundations : universality in physics -- Fundamental constants : pillars of the edifice -- Planning the edifice : structure of theories -- Proportions : dimensionless parameters -- Atoms under close examination -- A constant in the clouds -- What if they did vary? : gravity waits in the wings -- Strings attached : towards multiple universes

0

Text of Note

Constants, such as the gravitational constant and the speed of light, are present in all the laws of physics, yet recent observations have cast doubt on one of them. This book examines constants, the role they play in the laws of physics, and whether indeed constants can be verified. The authors provide an overview of the history of the ideas of physics, evoking major discoveries from Galileo and Newton to Planck and Einstein and raising questions provoked by ever more current accurate observations. They investigate the solidity of the foundations of physics and discuss the implications of the discovery of the non-constancy of a constant. From the laboratory to the depths of space, this highly instructive survey explores the paths of gravitation, general relativity and new theories such as that of superstrings. It even goes beyond the subject of constants to explain and discuss many ideas in physics, encountering along the way, for example, such exciting details as the discovery of a natural nuclear reactor at Oklo in Gabon

General Material Designation

De l'importance d'être une constante.

Language (when part of a heading)

English

Parallel Title

Understanding fundamental constants

Physical constants

Physical constants-- History

Physical laws

Physics-- History

Physics-- Philosophy

Number

Edition

Class number

Book number

Uzan, Jean-Philippe

Leclercq, Bénédicte

Date of Transaction

20100510155536.0

Electronic name

[Book]

Y