| Description |
xix, 294 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
| Contents |
Introduction : scientific literacy : what it is, why it's important, and why we don't have it -- 1. Knowing : the universe is regular and predictable -- 2. Energy : energy is conserved and always goes from more useful to less useful forms -- 3. Electricity and magnetism : electricity and magnetism are two aspects of the same force -- 4. The atom : everything is made of atoms -- 5. The world of the quantum : everything comes in discrete units and you can't measure anything without changing it -- 6. Chemical bonding : atoms are bound by electron glue -- 7. Atomic architecture : the way a material behaves depends on how its atoms are arranged -- 8. Nuclear physics : nuclear energy comes from the conversion of mass -- 9. Particle physics : everything is really made of quarks and leptons -- 10. Astronomy : stars live and die -- 11. The cosmos : the universe was born at a specific time in the past, and it has been expanding ever since -- 12. Relativity : every observer sees the same laws of nature -- 13. The restless earth : the surface of the earth is constantly changing -- 14. Earth cycles : everything on earth operates in cycles -- 15. The ladder of life : all living things are made from cells, the chemical factories of life -- 16. The code of life : all life is based on the same genetic code -- 17. Evolution : all forms of life evolved by natural selection -- 18. Ecosystems : all life is connected -- Epilogue : the role of science |
| Analysis |
Science |
| Notes |
Includes index |
| Bibliography |
Bibliography: pages [279]-282 |
| Subject |
Science -- Popular works.
|
| Author |
Trefil, James, 1938-
|
| LC no. |
bnb30434242 |
| ISBN |
0304342424 (paperback) |
|
