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How do cats land on their feet? Discover how this question stumped brilliant minds and how its answer helped solve other seemingly impossible puzzles The question of how falling cats land on their feet has long intrigued humans. In this playful and eye-opening history, physicist and cat parent Gregory Gbur explores how attempts to understand the cat-righting reflex have provided crucial insights into puzzles in mathematics, geophysics, neuroscience, and human space exploration. The result is an engaging tumble through physics, physiology, photography, and robotics to uncover, through scientific debate, the secret of the acrobatic performance known as cat-turning, the cat flip, and the cat twist. Readers learn the solution but also discover that the finer details still inspire heated arguments. As with other cat behavior, the more we investigate, the more surprises we discover.
The first textbook on mathematical methods focusing on techniques for optical science and engineering, this text is ideal for upper division undergraduate and graduate students in optical physics. Containing detailed sections on the basic theory, the textbook places strong emphasis on connecting the abstract mathematical concepts to the optical systems to which they are applied. It covers many topics which usually only appear in more specialized books, such as Zernike polynomials, wavelet and fractional Fourier transforms, vector spherical harmonics, the z-transform, and the angular spectrum representation. Most chapters end by showing how the techniques covered can be used to solve an optical problem. Essay problems based on research publications and numerous exercises help to further strengthen the connection between the theory and its applications.
"This engagingly written text provides a useful pedagogical introduction to an extensive class of geometrical phenomena in the optics of polarization and phase, including simple explanations of much of the underlying mathematics." —Michael Berry, University of Bristol, UK "The author covers a vast number of topics in great detail, with a unifying mathematical treatment. It will be a useful reference for both beginners and experts...." —Enrique Galvez, Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University "a firm and comprehensive grounding both for those looking to acquaint themselves with the field and those of us that need reminding of the things we thought we knew, bu...
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This introduction to complex variable methods begins by carefully defining complex numbers and analytic functions, and proceeds to give accounts of complex integration, Taylor series, singularities, residues and mappings. Both algebraic and geometric tools are employed to provide the greatest understanding, with many diagrams illustrating the concepts introduced. The emphasis is laid on understanding the use of methods, rather than on rigorous proofs. Throughout the text, many of the important theoretical results in complex function theory are followed by relevant and vivid examples in physical sciences. This second edition now contains 350 stimulating exercises of high quality, with solutions given to many of them. Material has been updated and additional proofs on some of the important theorems in complex function theory are now included, e.g. the Weierstrass–Casorati theorem. The book is highly suitable for students wishing to learn the elements of complex analysis in an applied context.
This engineering mathematics textbook is rich with examples, applications and exercises, and emphasises applying matrices.
Dr Smithies' analysis of the process whereby Cauchy created the basic structure of complex analysis, begins by describing the 18th century background. He then proceeds to examine the stages of Cauchy's own work, culminating in the proof of the residue theorem. Controversies associated with the the birth of the subject are also considered in detail. Throughout, new light is thrown on Cauchy's thinking during this watershed period. This authoritative book is the first to make use of the whole spectrum of available original sources.
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Do we have free will? Is the universe compatible with God? Do we live in a computer simulation? Does the universe think? Physicists are great at complicated research, but they are less good at telling us why it matters. In this entertaining and groundbreaking book, theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder breaks down why we should care. Drawing on the latest research in quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory and particle physics, Existential Physics explains what modern physics can tell us about the big questions. Filled with counterintuitive insights and including interviews with other leading scientists, this clear and yet profound book will reshape your understanding of science and the limits of what we can know.
Despite remarkable developments in the field, a detailed treatment of non-Kerr law media has not been published. Introduction to non-Kerr Law Optical Solitons is the first book devoted exclusively to optical soliton propagation in media that possesses non-Kerr law nonlinearities. After an introduction to the basic features of fiber-optic com
'If you care about the length and quality of your life but can't stomach yet another diet or workout routine, this book is for you' - Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author 'Finally, a lifestyle book that transcends diet and exercise for solutions for living longer' - Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author A smart, research-driven case for why optimism, kindness and strong social networks will help us live to 100. What to do to live long? From fountain-searching Ponce de Leon to pill-popping Silicon Valley techies humanity has been trying to pinpoint the answer for centuries, often fixating on all the wrong things: miracle diets, miracle foods, ...