More Surprises in Theoretical Physics (Princeton Series in Physics) - Hardcover

Peierls, Rudolf

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691085765 ISBN 13: 9780691085760

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 1991

Synopsis

Like its predecessor, this book by the renowned physicist Sir Rudolf Peierls draws from many diverse fields of theoretical physics to present problems in which the answer differs from what our intuition had led us to expect. In some cases an apparently convincing approximation turns out to be misleading; in others a seemingly unmanageable problem turns out to have a simple answer. Peierls's intention, however, is not to treat theoretical physics as an unpredictable game in which such surprises happen at random. Instead he shows how in each case careful thought could have prepared us for the outcome. Peierls has chosen mainly problems from his own experience or that of his collaborators, often showing how classic problems can lend themselves to new insights. His book is aimed at both graduate students and their teachers. Praise for Surprises in Theoretical Physics: "A beautiful piece of stimulating scholarship and a delight to read. Physicists of all kinds will learn a great deal from it."--R. J. Blin-Stoyle, Contemporary Physics

About this title

From the Back Cover

Like its predecessor, this book by the renowned physicist Sir Rudolf Peierls draws from many diverse fields of theoretical physics to present problems in which the answer differs from what our intuition had led us to expect. In some cases an apparently convincing approximation turn out to be misleading; in others a seemingly unmanageable problem turns out to have a simple answer.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691085765
• ISBN 13: 9780691085760
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 126