Books in Foundations series

Since humankind's earliest days, the rise of civilization has led to a huge increase in the number and types of diseases that afflict the human population. Early prevailing theories about the causes of and cures for disease included superstitious beliefs, the application of herbal remedies, and the well-meant but ultimately misguided humoral theory of disease, a concept that persisted into the 19th century. Presenting a comprehensive history of the development of the germ theory of disease, Germ Theory profiles the major scientists who helped the theory, including Leeuwenhoek, Jenner, Pasteur, Lister, Koch, Walter Reed, and others. The discussion ends with an exploration of antibiotics and the modern problem of disease-resistance due to overuse of these drugs.

Philosophers began speculating about matter more than 2,000 years ago, but it was not until the early 1800s that John Dalton proposed the first atomic theory based on experimental evidence. Since then, scientists have made amazing strides in uncovering the mysteries of these tiny particles. Further research has revealed that the atom is not the smallest particle, but is, in fact, made up of smaller "building blocks," leading to the development of particle physics. In Atomic Structure, explore the history of atomic research, the discovery of subatomic and subatomic particles, and the ways scientists hope their work will lead them to a deeper understanding of the Big Bang.

Global warming has become one of the most talked-about topics in the scientific community. Many scientists believe that humans are to blame for climate change and have presented a great deal of scientific evidence that shows Earth's climate is warming at an alarming rate. Others claim that climatic changes are due to natural causes that have operated throughout Earth's history or that global warming is nothing but a hoax designed to scare people into changing their way of life. By examining the history and scientific facts behind climate change and the role humans may be playing in it, Global Warming and Climate Change gets to the heart of the controversy and allows readers to draw their own conclusions about one of the most important topics in science.

Although electricity and magnetism seem to be two different things, they are actually deeply connected. Without both of these forces working together, we would not have automobiles, computers, or many of the other devices that we use every day. In Electricity and Magnetism, readers will learn about the different concepts of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism, as well as how electric currents and circuits, electric motors, and electric generators have changed our world forever.

Our world is largely defined by what we see and hear, but our uses for light and sound go far beyond simply seeing a photo or hearing a song. Lasers, concentrated beams of light, are powerful tools used in industry, research, and medicine, as well as in everyday electronics like DVD and CD players. Ultrasound, sound emitted at a high frequency, helps create images of a developing baby, cleans teeth, and much more. Light and Sound teaches how light and sound work, how they are used in our day-to-day lives, and how they can be used to learn about the universe at large.

Gravity dominates the universe. It holds the Earth, the Sun, and the Milky Way together, and it keeps our feet firmly planted on the surface of our planet. When an object goes up, it is pulled back to Earth by gravity. These facts make it easy to conclude that gravity is a strong force, but it is actually a very weak force whose confusing and contradictory nature has stumped many investigators. Gravity explains how two of the greatest scientific minds in history—Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein—finally unraveled most of the mystery surrounding this peculiar force, and how scientists today are continuing to search for answers to the remaining questions.