The parsimonious universe : shape and form in the natural world / Stefan Hildebrandt, Anthony Tromba.
By: Hildebrandt, Stefan.
Contributor(s): Tromba, Anthony.
Material type: BookPublisher: New York : Copernicus, c1996Description: xiii, 330 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 24 cm. + hbk.ISBN: 0387979913 .Subject(s): Nature (Aesthetics) | Form (Philosophy) | Motion | Calculus of variationsDDC classification: 501Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Lending | MTU Bishopstown Library Lending | 501 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 00010784 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
Why does nature prefer some shapes and not others? The variety of sizes, shapes, and irregularities in nature is endless. Skillfully integrating striking full-color illustrations, the authors describe the efforts by scientists and mathematicians since the Renaissance to identify and describe the principles underlying the shape of natural forms. But can one set of laws account for both the symmetry and irregularity as well as the infinite variety of nature's designs? A complete answer to this question is likely never to be discovered. Yet, it is fascinating to see how the search for some simple universal laws down through the ages has increased our understanding of nature. The Parsimonious Universe looks at examples from the world around us at a non-mathematical, non-technical level to show that nature achieves efficiency by being stingy with the energy it expends.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 305-317) and index.
Prologue: On form and shape -- A grand scheme of the world -- The heritage of ancient science -- Shortest and quickest connections -- A miracle and not a miracle -- Soap films: the amusement of children and mathematics -- Optimal design -- Epilogue: Dynamics and motion.