Pier Paolo Delsanto - Böcker

VarietyisperhapsthemostamazingattributeofNature,withanalmostendlessarrayof different molecules and aggregates and tens of millions of distinct forms of life. Yet, in spite of this bewildering diversity, there are some common patterns, henceforth called “phenomenological universalities,” that are found over and over again in completely different contexts. A quest for universalities is not only interesting per se, but can also yield practical applications. If several elds share a common mathematical or conceptual background, a cross-fertilization among them may lead to quick progress, even if ultimately the speci c details of any individual application must be considered independently. We all know that we live in a nonlinear world, although scientists have often tried to linearize it, sometimes as a rst step towards understanding its complexity, often because, before the advent of ubiquitous high computational power, a linear appro- mation was the only viable alternative. In this book we use the term “nonclassical n- linearity” with reference to a particularly intriguing kind of phenomenology, which has been extensively investigated in the last decade in the elds of elasticity and g- materials and whose universality has been conjectured. Its signatures are hystereticity, discrete memory, and other effects which, in the case of continuum mechanics, have been called “fast” and “slow” dynamics.

VarietyisperhapsthemostamazingattributeofNature,withanalmostendlessarrayof different molecules and aggregates and tens of millions of distinct forms of life. Yet, in spite of this bewildering diversity, there are some common patterns, henceforth called “phenomenological universalities,” that are found over and over again in completely different contexts. A quest for universalities is not only interesting per se, but can also yield practical applications. If several elds share a common mathematical or conceptual background, a cross-fertilization among them may lead to quick progress, even if ultimately the speci c details of any individual application must be considered independently. We all know that we live in a nonlinear world, although scientists have often tried to linearize it, sometimes as a rst step towards understanding its complexity, often because, before the advent of ubiquitous high computational power, a linear appro- mation was the only viable alternative. In this book we use the term “nonclassical n- linearity” with reference to a particularly intriguing kind of phenomenology, which has been extensively investigated in the last decade in the elds of elasticity and g- materials and whose universality has been conjectured. Its signatures are hystereticity, discrete memory, and other effects which, in the case of continuum mechanics, have been called “fast” and “slow” dynamics.

With the aid of entertaining short stories, anecdotes, lucid explanations and straight-forward figures, this book challenges the perception that the world of physics is inaccessible to the non-expert.

This book explains - in simple terms and with almost no mathematics - the physics behind recent and glamorous discoveries in Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics, Elementary Particles (e.g. Higgs bosons) and Complexity Theory. En route it delves into the historical landmarks and revolutions that brought about our current understanding of the universe.The book is written mainly for those with little scientific background, both college students and lay readers alike, who are curious about the world of modern physics. Unsolved problems are highlighted and the philosophical implications of the sometimes astounding modern discoveries are discussed. Along the way the reader gains an insight into the mindset and methodology of a physicist.

This book explains - in simple terms and with almost no mathematics - the physics behind recent and glamorous discoveries in Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics, Elementary Particles (e.g.