The Physical Basis of the Direction of Time.

Zeh, Heinz-Dieter:

ISBN 10: 3540509305 / ISBN 13: 9783540509301

Published by Berlin, Springer, 1989

About this Item

VIII, 166 Seiten. Widmung des Verfassers auf Vorsatz. Fleck auf Einband. Sehr gut erhalten. 9783540509301 Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 1200.

Seller Inventory # 104703

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Physical Basis of the Direction of Time.
• Publisher: Berlin, Springer
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3540509305
• ISBN 13: 9783540509301
• Binding: Berlin, Springer
• Condition: Gut
• Weight: 1200 grams
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mathematik, Physik, Astronomie

About this title

Synopsis

The physical asymmetry of nature under time reversal is analysed in this essay. The author investigates the most important classes of phenomena that characterize a direction of time: radiation, thermodynamics, quantum phenomena, and the structure of spacetime. Their relations and the search for a cosmological common root of these "arrows of time" and of the traditional concept of causality are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on quantum indeterminism. It is argued that a common root may be found in the properties of the time-independent wave function of the universe that arises from the quantization of general relativity. This requires that the physical concept of time is reduced to a correlation between physical states, including those characterizing clocks and observers. The description of irreversible phenomena is shown to be fundamentally "observer-related" in a way that can be formalized following Zwanzig. The book is aimed mainly at the student or scientist seeking an overview of the whole issue. Compared to the German version the book has been widely revised and extended.

Review

FROM THE REVIEWS: MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS"The presentation is clear and readable. The book gives an excellent overview of the phenomena which characterize a direction of time like radiation, thermodynamics, quantum indeterminism and the structure of black holes. SCIENCE MAGAZINE" I recommend this book to those willing to devote serious effort to learning part of the subject. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS" an excellent summary of what is known at present about this fascinating mystery. FROM THE REVIEWS: ZENTRALBLATT MATH"The book contains an impressive (we d say exhaustive) list of references: almost 300 titles (papers and books) We have to mention the high scientific value of the book, its rigorous well-documented discussion of the subject, refinement and subtlety of its reasonings. We strongly recommend it to students and specialists in various fields of theoretical physics.