Books in Our Physical World series

Nuclear physics investigates the properties and behavior of the central portion, or nucleus, of the atom. This branch of physics had perhaps the biggest impact on the world in the 20th century because it evolved into the knowledge used to build the most destructive weapons people have ever known. The atomic bombs that ended World War II, and the weapons race that followed, changed the course of history. But applications of nuclear physics have also provided enormous energy for useful purposes, generating about 16 percent of the world's electricity. Particles and the Universe documents how modern physics formed and how it continues to evolve. Each chapter of this book delves into the observations, theories, and tests of a particular topic, including nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, particle physics, relativity, and cosmology.

As our knowledge of matter grows, so too do the number of materials. Metals saw early uses as swords, coins, and later, in the building of airplanes. The 20th century witnessed several new materials: plastic that is versatile enough to find use in everything from containers to automobiles, fibers that are strong enough to make bullet-proof vests, and early houses made of wood or stone that gave way to the towering skyscrapers we see today. Atoms and Materials is a book about matter at its most basic level - atoms and their components - but it also explores how people use material in technology and society. This intriguing title from the new Physics in Our World set enhances the reader's perception and understanding of the atomic world.