Physics

PHYSICS
An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science – Revised and Updated
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-197-5 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION – Here is the latest edition of this essential guide to physics, an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines the foundations upon which all scientific knowledge rests. Without physics, everything else—from astronomy to zoology— would be meaningless conjecture. Our journey begins with the first attempts to understand reality, Mother Nature—or as the ancient Greeks called it, physis. Follow the journey through history as great scientists, such as Thales, Galileo, Feynman, and many others, gradually unpick the fabric of the Universe revealing an array of fundamental forces, intangible particles and indestructible energy. Today, physics discoveries make headline news as we all grapple with the fresh mysteries of the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and dark energy. The boundaries of physics are on the move once again. What new truths will be revealed next?

• Contains 100 chronological articles that tell the story of physics from the dawn of history to the present day.
• Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompany each of the steps along the way.
• Biographies of great physicists and a chart of the Standard Model particles boosts the contents for all readers.
• A simple physics guide draws together current understanding to set out the basics of the science.
• Includes a 12-page fold-out Timeline poster – stretches out to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long.

Physics is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“Aimed at those who may find the history of science compelling but have not themselves studied it, this series installment summarizes thousands of years of human understanding of the physics of how the world works—in an attractive, coffee-table style volume. Each of the 100 entries names a concept; gives an extremely broad, sometimes multi­-century explanation of its origins; and describes the idea in half a page to a spread. UK author Jackson concludes with a look ahead, a summary of what we know, and some major questions we still need to answer. While the overall progression of entries is chronological, each one can treat decades, especially in the early sections (e.g., “Understanding Magnets” covers the topic from the fourth century BCE to 1600 CE). The arrangement of entries—within the broad categories “The Dawn of Science,” “The Scientific Revolution,” “From Classical to Modern Physics,” “The Subatomic Age,” and “Modern Physics”—can thus in fact be unintuitive. Copious illustrations and a foldout time line make for a visually appealing layout and add helpful background information. VERDICT This broad overview for the general reader—and for YA and high school students—can serve as a springboard to deeper study for those whose interest it piques. Recommended.
School Library Journal, Marcia R. Franklin

“This title from the Ponderables series consists of 100 entries on milestones in physics, from the dawn of science to today. Entries range in length from a half page to two pages and examine scientific breakthroughs that greatly influenced the world. The information is accessible and interesting, while an appealing layout features illustrations and photographs on every page. The book concludes with an overview of physics, profiles of key scientists, a bibliography and other resources, and an index. A pocket attached to the inside of the back cover contains a pullout chart with a time line on one side and pertinent quick-reference information on the reverse. This highly browsable title is well suited to the casual reader with an interest in the topic.”
Booklist, Maren Ostergard

“Gr 5 Up—The newest addition to this science series that includes Mathematics, The Elements, The Universe (all Shelter Harbor, 2012) tackles physics in an easy-to-read and understand format, breaking down the discoveries made over centuries to explain the universe—from force and motion to quantum theory. The questions pondered and the scientists who sought answers and made discoveries are presented. Short summaries are paired with colorful illustrations and photographs that guide readers to appreciate how each discovery led to a greater understanding of the universe. Brief biographies of each scientist in the book are included for easy reference with birthdate, birthplace, and date of death along with the importance of their discovery. An extensive 12-page, foldable timeline is tucked in the back cover, with 1000 milestone facts from 600 BCE to present day in color-coded categories that include culture, world events, science and invention, and physics. Avid scientists might find the explanations of theories simplistic, but typical readers will find the information fascinating and gain a greater understanding of how discoveries are made and how they lead to others.”
School Library Journal, Denise Moore, O’Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

“Looking to spice up your science curriculum with real-world advances? Tom Jackson’s Physics: An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science has a series of detailed breakthroughs that have changed our world. Part of a series of science books about the periodic table, math and the universe, Physics explains it all in short stories about the scientists and researchers. The topics range from Newton’s laws and Brownian motion to string theory and superfluidity. All told, the book explains 100 different exciting topics with beautiful illustrations and archival illustrations. There’s a great pull-out timeline of physics advances that can be hung from any classroom wall but has a just-as-useful list of constants printed on the back, so it’s either or.”
Scholastic Blog, Brian Nadal