Fearful Symmetry : The Search for Beauty in Modern Physics / A. Zee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zee, A., author.

Contributor:

Penrose, Roger.

Series:

Princeton Science Library

Princeton Science Library ; 48

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Symmetry (Physics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (376 p.)

Edition:

With a New foreword by Roger Penrose

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, [2015]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

The concept of symmetry has widespread manifestations and many diverse applications-from architecture to mathematics to science. Yet, as twentieth-century physics has revealed, symmetry has a special, central role in nature, one that is occasionally and enigmatically violated. Fearful Symmetry brings the incredible discoveries of the juxtaposition of symmetry and asymmetry in contemporary physics within everyone's grasp. A. Zee, a distinguished physicist and skillful expositor, tells the exciting story of how contemporary theoretical physicists are following Einstein in their search for the beauty and simplicity of Nature. Animated by a sense of reverence and whimsy, Fearful Symmetry describes the majestic sweep and accomplishments of twentieth-century physics-one of the greatest chapters in the intellectual history of humankind.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Foreword

Preface 1999

Preface

Acknowledgments

I. Symmetry and Design

1. In Search of Beauty

2. Symmetry and Simplicity

3. The Far Side of the Mirror

II. Einstein's Legacy

4. Marriage of Time and Space

5. A Happy Thought

6. Symmetry Dictates Design

III. Into The Limelight

7. Where the Action Is Not

8. The Lady and the Tyger

9. Learning to Read the Great Book

10. Symmetry Triumphs

IV. To Know His Thoughts

11. The Eightfold Path in the Forest of the Night

12. The Revenge of Art

13. The Ultimate Design Problem

14. Unity of Forces

15. The Rise of Hubris

16. The Mind of the Creator

Afterword

Appendix to Chapter 9

Appendix to the Afterword

Notes

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

ISBN:

0-691-00946-5

1-4008-7450-5

OCLC:

1002061229