Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of The Five Biggest Ideas in Science, authors Charles Wynn and Arthur Wiggins provide a panoramic view of the questions scientists seek to answer about the natural world:
* Do basic building blocks of matter exist, and if so, what do they look like?
* BIG IDEA #1: Physics' Model of the Atom
* What relationships, if any, exist among different kinds of atoms?
* BIG IDEA #2: Chemistry's Periodic Law
* Where did the atoms of the universe come from,and what is their destiny?
* BIG IDEA #3: Astronomy's Big Bang Theory
* How is the matter of the universe arranged in planet Earth?
* BIG IDEA #4: Geology's Plate Tectonics Model
* How did life on planet Earth originate and develop?
* BIG IDEA #5: Biology's Theory of Evolution


Get set for a lively and informative discussion, as you also learn how to evaluate potential applications of these and other scientific ideas.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• The Road to Discovery: The Method of Science
• BIG IDEA #1 Physics' Model of the Atom: Seeing the Unseeable
• BIG IDEA #2 Chemistry's Periodic Law: Sorting the Elements
• BIG IDEA #3 Astronomy's Big Bang Theory: Tracing the Elements' Roots
• BIG IDEA #4 Geology's Plate Tectonics Model: Down to Earth
• BIG IDEA #5 Biology's Theory of Evolution: Life Begins and Branches Out
• The Method of Science: Further Insights
• Benefit/Risk Analysis: Potential Applications of Scientific Knowledge
• Epilogue
• Idea Folders
• Additional Reading
• Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Wynn (chemistry, Eastern Connecticut State Coll.) and Wiggins (physics, Oakland Community Coll.) here aim to use five fundamental ideas‘physics' model of the atom, chemistry's periodic law, astronomy's Big Bang theory, geology's plate tectonics model, and biology's theory of evolution‘to help lay readers "comprehend, appreciate, and evaluate the world of science." Each "Big Idea" is thoroughly described, with many simple illustrations and cartoons by Sydney Harris, whose works appear regularly in many scientific journals as well as The New Yorker. In explaining the thinking that led to each "Big Idea," the authors clearly outline the scientific method and demystify the process. It soon becomes evident that the "Big Ideas" are subject to constant rethinking, one of the most important lessons of this book. This slim volume should be required reading and belongs in every library above the primary level.‘Wilfred Drew, SUNY at Morrisville Coll. Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Wynn (Eastern CT State Univ.) and Wiggins offer a slender, entertaining, and interesting book of five basic ideas in science, one each from the disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and geology. The authors consider, in order, the model of the atom, the periodic table, the big bang theory, the plate tectonics model of the earth, and the theory of evolution. The selection is based on the authors' criteria that each of the choices consider something of a fundamental character that allows us to "comprehend, appreciate and evaluate the world of science." There is a connection between the choices inasmuch as the discussion takes the reader from the building blocks of matter (atoms) to the link between these blocks (elements), and from there to how such basic structures are arranged in the universe, on the planet and in ourselves. There is also a good discussion of the method of science, going from observation to prediction. A concluding chapter on benefit/risk analysis shows how scientific ideas are evaluated for applications that change our surroundings. The book is additionally attractive for the numerous cartoons, mostly originals, by the famous Sidney Harris, which leaven the discussion with a touch of humor. All levels. N. Sadanand; Central Connecticut State University

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Charles M. Wynn received his B.Ch.E. at City College of New York, and his M. S. and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Wynn is currently a chemistry professor at Eastern Connecticut State College.

Wynn co authored The Five Biggest Ideas in the World, a book about the five major scientific disciplines: physics, chemistry, astronomy, earth science, and biology. (Bowker Author Biography)