Building Scientific Apparatus [Paperback]

John H. Moore (Author), Christopher C. Davis (Author), Michael A. Coplan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813340063 | ISBN-13: 978-0813340067 | Publication Date: July 15, 2002 | Edition: 3rd

Building Scientific Apparatus is a unique single-volume reference for the scientist or engineer whose work requires the construction of unique apparatus. The basic principles of mechanics, optics and electronics required in the design of laboratory devices are covered in sufficient detail that reference to other texts is seldom necessary. Technical skills such as glassblowing, machining, mechanical drawing, soldering, are described along with many of the “tricks of the trade” that cannot be found elsewhere. The text describes the design and workings of components such as vacuum pumps, mirrors and lenses, and electronic circuits. The appropriate integration of components into a working apparatus is discussed, as is the questions of whether components are to be fabricated or purchased. In the latter case, text helps with the writing of specifications.Building Scientific Apparatusfeatures clear, concise text. There are comprehensive tables of materials properties, and the characteristics of optical, electronic, and thermal devices. The text is complemented by hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations.Previous editions of Building Scientific Apparatus have become the standard text for practicing scientists and engineers who build their own laboratory apparatus. The book is the ideal introduction for graduate students beginning research in the physical, engineering, or biological sciences—even the social sciences when apparatus is required. The book has a definite appeal and usefulness for amateur scientists as well. At least a quarter of the Third Edition of Building Scientific Apparatus is new material. The remaining text has been reviewed and updated, as have many of the illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Pre-Publication Praise: "This new edition includes updates throughout, and will continue to serve as a bookshelf standard in laboratories around the world. I never like to be too far from this book!"
Jason Hafner, Rice University, Houston, Texas

Pre-Publication Praise: "... the first book I reach for to remind myself of an experimental technique, or to start learning a new one. With valuable additions ..., the newest addition will be a welcome replacement for our lab's well-thumbed previous editions of BSA."
Brian King, McMaster University, Canada

Pre-Publication Praise: "... a mine of useful information ranging from tables of the properties of materials to lists of manufacturers and suppliers. This book would be an invaluable resource in any laboratory in the physical sciences and beyond."
George King, University of Manchester

Pre-Publication Praise: "... concentrating several careers' worth of equipment-building experience into a single volume-a thoroughly revised and updated edition of a 25-year-old classic.. It is a "must-have" on the shelf of every research lab."
Nicholas Spencer, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zürich

Pre-Publication Praise: "This book is a unique resource for the beginning experimenter, and remains valuable throughout a scientist's career. Professional engineers I know also own and enjoy using the book."
Eric Zimmerman, University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Description

Unrivalled in its completeness, this guide to the design and construction of scientific apparatus is essential reading for all scientists and students in physical, chemical and biological sciences, and engineering. Detectors, low-temperature measurements, and high-pressure apparatus, updated engineering specifications, are all new to this edition. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; 3rd edition (July 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813340063
• ISBN-13: 978-0813340067
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,140,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Scientific Instruments

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building Scientific Apparatus is great for a science fair!, January 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Building Scientific Apparatus (Hardcover)

My son chose to enter this year's science fair with an advance project that required vacume chamber construction, optics, and the original charged particle detection systems. This book is a perfect guide towards building most any mid-level research instrument.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent practical guide, September 25, 2005

By 

Bryan Reed - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Scientific Apparatus (Paperback)

This book is an invaluable resource for any experimentalist. It's a startingly dense yet readable distillation of the information you really need to have at your fingertips if you're going to make an experiment work. The emphasis is on breadth and need-to-know rather than depth; this book will not replace (nor does it pretend to replace) specialized books on the sub-topics, but for, say, an optics person wanting to know what to say to a machinist to get a job done quickly, efficiently, with appropriate materials and tolerances, and most of all, to have it all work at the end without breaking the budget . . . this is your book. Covers mechanical design, materials, optics (photon and electron varieties), electronics, and temperature control.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference for building apparatus, July 7, 2004

By 

Angelo Leung (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Scientific Apparatus (Paperback)

As the title implies, this book is an excellent reference. You can learn what materials you need to perform the experiments; you can even find the suppliers' names from the book. Excellent!