Overview
An in-depth look at the theories behind the most intriguing puzzles in physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and astronomy In The Five Biggest Ideas in Science, authors Arthur W. Wiggins and Charles M. Wynn discussed science's most important current ideas. Now, they tackle the questions that science has been unable to answer-so far. Choosing one unsolved problem from each discipline, they explore the current scientific thinking behind these questions: How are particle masses determined? How did simple atoms first combine to form complex molecules? What role does the genome play in the development of life? Why is it so difficult to predict the weather? And what is the future of the universe? Featuring cartoons by Sidney Harris, the book includes discussions of recent theories such as the God particle, string theory, ""brane"" theories, and the Theory of Everything and also explores other science questions. Arthur W. Wiggins (Farmington Hills, MI) is a Professor of Physics at Oakland Community College in Michigan. Charles M. Wynn (Willimantic, CT) is a Professor of Chemistry at Eastern Connecticut State College. They collaborated on The Five Biggest Ideas in Science (0-471-13812-6).
Full Product Details
Author: Arthur W. Wiggins ,
Charles M. Wynn
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Dimensions:
Width: 16.40cm
, Height: 1.60cm
, Length: 22.80cm
Weight: 0.330kg
ISBN: 9780471268086
ISBN 10: 0471268089
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 01 September 2003
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
This is an immensely readable book! (Good Book Guide, April 2004) ! easy to understand, enjoyable and interesting. I am very impressed! (M2 Best Books, 11 March 2004)
The five biggest unsolved problems in science, according to Wiggins and Wynn are: why do some particles have mass, while others have none; how did atoms form the first living things; what is the complete structure and function of the proteome; is accurate, long-range weather forecasting possible; and why is the universe expanding faster and faster, one each from physics, chemistry, biology, geology and astronomy. If you don't agree with the authors' choices, the book ends with Problem Folders and Ideas Folders detailing some of the other mysteries that continue to perplex science and theories that might help to solve them. This is a very readable book full of excellent scientific debates for the layperson, not made simple but broken down into easily digestible chunks, with plenty of diagrams, pictures, bullet points and fact boxes. Sidney Harris's cartoons, which appear throughout, are genuinely funny and clever and add a light touch when the explanations get difficult. (Kirkus UK)
This is an immensely readable book... (Good Book Guide, April 2004) ... easy to understand, enjoyable and interesting. I am very impressed... (M2 Best Books, 11 March 2004)
Author Information
ARTHUR W. WIGGINS is a professor of physics at Oakland Community College in Michigan. CHARLES M. WYNN is a professor of chemistry at Eastern Connecticut State University. Each has received several ""Best Teacher"" awards, and they have written science books and journal articles. The two coauthored The Five Biggest Ideas in Science, also available from Wiley, which has been translated into seven languages.
