Galileo Galilei : first physicist / James MacLachlan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

MacLachlan, James H., 1928- author.

Series:

Oxford portraits in science.

Oxford portraits in science

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Galilei, Galileo, 1564-1642.

Galilei, Galileo.

Physicists--Italy--Biography.

Physicists.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (126 pages) : illustrations, map.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York ; Oxford : Oxford University Press, [1997]

Summary:

The scientific innovations of Galileo Galilei are pivotal to our understanding of the laws of the natural world. Drawing on his diverse studies in philosophy, mathematics, mechanics, music, astronomy, and engineering, Galileo developed revolutionary theories that thoroughly changed the disciplines of physics, mathematics, astronomy, and technology. Galileo Galilei traces the great scientist's education, describes his maverick experiments in Padua and Pisa, and recreates the ingenious pathway of his famous discoveries. Often censored and imprisoned for his radical ideas that clashed with fundamental Church doctrines, Galileo persisted in his pursuit of scientific truths to bestow upon future generations the inspiration to challenge conventional views. His theories about the motions of falling bodies, his study of pendulums, and his major discoveries in astronomy made with a self-built telescope are all clearly explained in this volume. Heavily illustrated with photographs, graphics, and technical schemes, Galileo Galilei also features a number of sidebars elucidating important details of the great mans contributions. Oxford Portraits in Science is a collection of scientific biographies for young adults. Written by top scholars and writers, each biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his or her discoveries. These illustrated biographies combine accessible technical information with compelling personal stories to portray the scientists whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Introduction. The Science of Physics

Chapter 1. Young Mathematician

Sidebar: Equal Speeds of Fall

Chapter 2. Professor at Padua

Sidebar: Galileo's Explanation of the Tides

Sidebar: Speed and Distance in Falling

Chapter 3. New Wonders in the Sky

Sidebar: Optics and Telescopes

Chapter 4. Disputes in Philosophy and Science

Sidebar: Floating on the Surface of Water

Chapter 5. Galileo on Trial

Sidebar: How Copernicus Simplified Ptolemy

Sidebar: Scaling and the Strength of Bones

Chapter 6. Galileo in History

Appendix 1. The Motion of Projectiles

Appendix 2. Measuring Motions

Chronology

Further Reading

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-028249-5

0-19-976230-9

OCLC:

958507647