New version of free physics text - now 1000 pages
Christoph Schiller
has been reworked. It contains a new section on nuclear physics with the
story of radioactivity, a MRI scan of humans making love and the dream of
grand unification. The present 14th revision also includes new figures on
special relativity, a short explanation of k-calculus, the paradox of the
relativistic submarine, a photograph and description of how some
caterpillars shoot away their faecal matter, a photograph of a basilisk
running over water, Stowe's periodic table of the elements, a beautiful
picture of the analemma, references to monadology, the question why birds
are not usually seen on high voltage lines, the question whether the moon
is larger or smaller than the nail of your thumb at the end of your
extended arm, the proof that Peary did not reach the north pole, and much
more. Many photographs and drawings have been added, the graphical
presentation reworked and several hundred challenge solutions have been
added. (Tell me which ones you want next!)
For all fields of physics the newest research results and the main
unanswered questions are presented. The text remains a structured walk
through classical physics, relativity, quantum theory and unification. In
total, the text aims to give an overview of what motion is and what it can
effect. The accent on surprises and thought-provoking puzzles has been
kept. It will please both readers who open the text at random and those
who read it systematically.
Christoph Schiller
chri_schiller @ yahoo . com
P.S. Thank you to everybody who has sent criticisms, corrections and
suggestions. Enjoy!
P.P.S. In physics texts, figures take the biggest part of the budget - both
in time and in money. Any help on (preferably colour postscript) images to
be added to the text (with permission of course) is much appreciated. Such
help will allow me to concentrate on the writing and make sure that the
text can continue to be free for all readers throughout the world.