Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Using a clear, non-technical style, Professor Rohrlich discusses the two major theories of twentieth-century physics: relativity and quantum mechanics. Discussed conceptually and philosophically, rather than using mathematics, the philosophical issues raised show how new discoveries forced physicists to accept often strange and unconventional notions. He aims to remove the mystery and misrepresentation that often surround the ideas of modern physics and to show how modern scientists construct theories, so that the reader can appreciate their successes and failures and understand problems that are as yet unresolved.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Part I At the Roof of the Endeavor
• 1 Human limitations
• 2 Theory and the role of mathematics
• 3 Scientific objectivity
• 4 The aim of scientific theory
• Part II The World of Relativity
• 5 Space and time: from absolute to relative
• 6 Imposed consistency: special relativity
• 7 Gravitation as geometry: general relativity
• 8 Revolutions without revolutions
• Part III The Quantum World
• 9 The limits of the classical world
• 10 Concepts of the quantum world
• 11 From apparent paradox to a new reality
• 12 The present state of the art
• Epilogue
• Notes
• Glossary of technical terms
• Name index
• Subject index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

There is a great temptation for some professors to try to turn class notes into textbooks; it does not always work, but this time it does. Rohrlich has produced a readable, interesting, nontrivial, and quite thought-provoking introduction to several of the seminal ideas of 20th-century physics. A surprisingly sophisticated (for a text aimed at a general audience) discussion of the nature of the scientific enterprise makes it clear that casual perusal will not do and that more is expected from the reader; one must think along with the reading. Most of the book deals with relativity and quantum mechanics. The discussion of special relativity includes the Lorentz transformation and light cones; the discussion of general relativity deals with gravitation and the choice of reference frame, curved space-time, and black holes. About half of the thin volume is devoted to the quantum world. Careful attention is paid to the process of measurement and its connection to the theory. A disappointment is the too brief examination of elementary particles. A fine book that belongs in all college libraries.-K.E. Schick, Union College, N.Y.