Michael M. Woolfson – författare

Mathematics is the essential language of science. It enables us to describe abstract physical concepts, and to apply these concepts in practical ways. Yet mathematical skills and concepts are an aspect of physics that many students fear the most.Mathematics for Physics recognizes the challenges faced by students in equipping themselves with the maths skills necessary to gain a full understanding of physics. Working from basic yet fundamental principles, the book builds the students' confidence by leading them through the subject in a steady, progressive way.As its primary aim, Mathematics for Physics shows the relevance of mathematics to the study of physics. Its unique approach demonstrates the application of mathematical concepts alongside the development of the mathematical theory. This stimulating and motivating approach helps students to master the maths and see its application in the context of physics in one seamless learning experience. Mathematics is a subject mastered most readily through active learning. Mathematics for Physics features both print and online support, with many in-text exercises and end-of-chapter problems, and web-based computer programs, to both stimulate learning and build understanding.Mathematics for Physics is the perfect introduction to the essential mathematical concepts which all physics students should master.

A textbook for the advanced undergraduate or graduate student beginning a serious study of X-ray crystallography. It will be of interest both to those intending to become professional crystallographers and to those physicists, chemists, biologists, geologists, metallurgists and others who will use it as a tool in their research. All major aspects of crystallography are covered - the geometry of crystals and their symmetry, theoretical and practical aspects of diffracting X-rays by crystals and how the data may be analysed to find the symmetry of the crystal and its structure. Recent advances are fully covered, including the synchrotron as a source of X-rays, methods of solving structures from power data and the full range of techniques for solving structures from single-crystal data. A suite of computer programs is provided for carrying out many operations of data-processing and solving crystal structures - including by direct methods. While these are limited to two dimensions they fully illustrate the characteristics of three-dimensional work. These programs are required for many of the examples given at the end of each chapter but may also be used to create new examples by which students can test themselves or each other.

Theoretical and experimental advances in the techniques available for solving crystal structures have led to the development of several powerful techniques for solving complex structures, including those of proteins. In this 1995 book, Michael Woolfson and Fan Hai-Fu describe all the available methods and how they are used. In addition to traditional methods such as the use of the Patterson function and isomorphous replacement, and the direct methods, the authors include methods that use anomalous scattering and observations from multiple-beam scattering. The fundamental physics and mathematical analyses are fully explained. Practical aspects of applying the methods are emphasised.

Theoretical and experimental advances in the techniques available for solving crystal structures have led to the development of several powerful techniques for solving complex structures, including those of proteins. In this 1995 book, Michael Woolfson and Fan Hai-Fu describe all the available methods and how they are used. In addition to traditional methods such as the use of the Patterson function and isomorphous replacement, and the direct methods, the authors include methods that use anomalous scattering and observations from multiple-beam scattering. The fundamental physics and mathematical analyses are fully explained. Practical aspects of applying the methods are emphasised.

A textbook for the advanced undergraduate or graduate student beginning a serious study of X-ray crystallography. It will be of interest both to those intending to become professional crystallographers and to those physicists, chemists, biologists, geologists, metallurgists and others who will use it as a tool in their research. All major aspects of crystallography are covered - the geometry of crystals and their symmetry, theoretical and practical aspects of diffracting X-rays by crystals and how the data may be analysed to find the symmetry of the crystal and its structure. Recent advances are fully covered, including the synchrotron as a source of X-rays, methods of solving structures from power data and the full range of techniques for solving structures from single-crystal data. A suite of computer programs is provided for carrying out many operations of data-processing and solving crystal structures - including by direct methods. While these are limited to two dimensions they fully illustrate the characteristics of three-dimensional work. These programs are required for many of the examples given at the end of each chapter but may also be used to create new examples by which students can test themselves or each other.

The origin of the solar system has been a matter of speculation for many centuries, and since the time of Newton it has been possible to apply scientific principles to the problem. A succession of theories, starting with that of Pierre Laplace in 1796, has gained general acceptance, only to fall from favor due to its contradiction in some basic scientific principle or new heavenly observation. Modern observations by spacecraft of the solar system, the stars, and extra-solar planetary systems continuously provide new information that may be helpful in finding a plausible theory as well as present new constraints for any such theory to satisfy.The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System begins by describing historical (pre-1950) theories and illustrating why they became unacceptable. The main part of the book critically examines five extant theories, including the current paradigm, the solar nebula theory, to determine how well they fit with accepted scientific principles and observations. This analysis shows that the solar nebula theory satisfies the principles and observational constraints no better than its predecessors. The capture theory put forward by the author fares better and also indicates an initial scenario leading to a causal series of events that explain all the major features of the solar system.

The origin of the solar system has been a matter of speculation for many centuries, and since the time of Newton it has been possible to apply scientific principles to the problem. A succession of theories, starting with that of Pierre Laplace in 1796, has gained general acceptance, only to fall from favor due to its contradiction in some basic scientific principle or new heavenly observation. Modern observations by spacecraft of the solar system, the stars, and extra-solar planetary systems continuously provide new information that may be helpful in finding a plausible theory as well as present new constraints for any such theory to satisfy.The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System begins by describing historical (pre-1950) theories and illustrating why they became unacceptable. The main part of the book critically examines five extant theories, including the current paradigm, the solar nebula theory, to determine how well they fit with accepted scientific principles and observations. This analysis shows that the solar nebula theory satisfies the principles and observational constraints no better than its predecessors. The capture theory put forward by the author fares better and also indicates an initial scenario leading to a causal series of events that explain all the major features of the solar system.

Since the publication of the popular first edition, stellar and planetary scientists have produced numerous new observations, theories, and interpretations, including the "demotion" of our former ninth planet Pluto as a dwarf planet. Covering all of these new discoveries, Planetary Science: The Science of Planets around Stars, Second Edition explai

Since the publication of the popular first edition, stellar and planetary scientists have produced numerous new observations, theories, and interpretations, including the "demotion" of our former ninth planet Pluto as a dwarf planet. Covering all of these new discoveries, Planetary Science: The Science of Planets around Stars, Second Edition explains the science associated with the planets, the stars they orbit, and the interactions between them. It examines the formation, evolution, and death of stars and the properties of the Sun that influence the planets of the Solar System. Along with more problems, this second edition adds new material and improves some analytical treatments.The book consists of two main components. For students unfamiliar with stellar properties or the overall structure of the Solar System, the first part gives a general picture of the system as a whole and the interrelationships of the bodies within it. It presents an overview of the nature of stars and the Solar System as well as important results obtained by scientific analysis.The second component is a set of 43 appendices describing the majority of the underlying science required to explain the main features of the Solar System. These appendices cover a variety of specialized topics, from mineralogy to the mechanical interactions of radiation and matter.End-of-chapter problems give students a quantitative understanding of stellar and solar system phenomena. The text shows how useful estimates of various quantities can be made even when characteristics of the system are not known with any precision. While the problems can be completed with a hand calculator, students are encouraged to use the Fortran computer programs provided on the book‘s CRC Press web page.Avoiding excessive details, this textbook offers a comprehensive account of stellar and planetary topics. It is suitable for students from a

Since the publication of the popular first edition, stellar and planetary scientists have produced numerous new observations, theories, and interpretations, including the "demotion" of our former ninth planet Pluto as a dwarf planet. Covering all of these new discoveries, Planetary Science: The Science of Planets around Stars, Second Edition explains the science associated with the planets, the stars they orbit, and the interactions between them. It examines the formation, evolution, and death of stars and the properties of the Sun that influence the planets of the Solar System. Along with more problems, this second edition adds new material and improves some analytical treatments.The book consists of two main components. For students unfamiliar with stellar properties or the overall structure of the Solar System, the first part gives a general picture of the system as a whole and the interrelationships of the bodies within it. It presents an overview of the nature of stars and the Solar System as well as important results obtained by scientific analysis.The second component is a set of 43 appendices describing the majority of the underlying science required to explain the main features of the Solar System. These appendices cover a variety of specialized topics, from mineralogy to the mechanical interactions of radiation and matter.End-of-chapter problems give students a quantitative understanding of stellar and solar system phenomena. The text shows how useful estimates of various quantities can be made even when characteristics of the system are not known with any precision. While the problems can be completed with a hand calculator, students are encouraged to use the Fortran computer programs provided on the book’s CRC Press web page.Avoiding excessive details, this textbook offers a comprehensive account of stellar and planetary topics. It is suitable for students from a range of disciplines, including astronomy, geology, and earth sciences. The book provides students with an understanding of the nature of the Solar System and the influences that govern its behavior, helping them develop an appreciation of the forces that can influence our planet in the future.