Space and Time in the Modern Universe [Hardcover]

P. C. W. Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 1977

From the dust jacket: "Writing in an authoritative yet straightforward style requiring no prior knowledge of advanced mathematics or physics, Dr Davies explores the changing ideas of space and time particularly as illustrated by their application to astronomical and cosmological scenarios: for example, black holes, the big bang and the ultimate fate of the universe. Careful discussions of well established physics, such as relativity, electromagnetic waves and laws of motion, are accompanied by exciting and provocative recent developments. Contentious topics such as space-time singularities, the quantum evaporation of black holes and man's place in the universe are treated with a clear distinction between fact and conjecture. Here is an engaging account, enjoyable to read, and enlivened by informal diagrams, of some of the most intriguing advances in modern science. Thus Dr Davies provides a relatively easy way to learn new physics, including advanced material usually omitted from all but the most specialist mathematical treatments. Difficult concepts are explained in the earlier chapters, so paving the way to understanding the later advanced work. The book will appeal to undergraduate scientists and non-scientists at universities, to established scientists requiring an easy review of modern developments, as well as to any reader with a scientific or philosophical bent who is intrigued by such questions as: What happened before the big bang? What happens at the centre of a black hole? Can time be reversed? and many more."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (May 27, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521214459
• ISBN-13: 978-0521214452
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Davies is an internationally acclaimed physicist, cosmologist, and astrobiologist at Arizona State University, where he runs the pioneering Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. He also chairs the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Post-Detection Taskgroup, so that if SETI succeeds in finding intelligent life, he will be among the first to know. The asteroid 1992OG was officially renamed Pauldavies in his honor. In addition to his many scientific awards, Davies is the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize--the world's largest annual prize--for his work on science and religion. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Mind of God, About Time, How to Build a Time Machine, and The Goldilocks Enigma. He lives in Tempe, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing the New Physics and Modern Cosmology, June 11, 2006

By 

Cosmas Topographicos "Cosmas Alexandrinus" (Cosmic Megalopolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space and Time in the Modern Universe (Hardcover)

"The notion of space-time is something we've cherished for thousands of years, and it's clearly something we're going to have to give up . . . space-time is an uncertain concept, so you've lost your firm footing, . . . And that is a deep conceptual issue we have not yet come to grips with." Andrew Strominger, Harvard physicist

Introducing the New Physics:

'Space and time in the modern universe,' was written by Paul Davies thirty years ago, but still best serves to introduce the 'New Physics,' and review the modern physics developments, linking the big bang with the string theory.

Certain approaches to string theory dispense with the notion of space-time completely. Yet, they seem to produce the same set of results as string theories with normal space and time. To some theorists, this strongly reflects that space & time are irrelevant. Space and time as fundamental concepts may be about to finally disappear, pulling the floor out from under physics.

Issues & Book Contents:

Modern physics difficult concepts are introduced in the first three chapters, while in the fourth he proceeds easily from general relativity gravitation to space-time bending, black holes, concluding masterfully with Wheeler's space-time breaking up, that brought to my memory the talents of G. Gamow.

1 The many faces of space and time

2 The relativity revolution

3 The symmetry of past and future

4 Gravitation and bending of space-time

5 Modern cosmology

6 the beginning of the end

7 mankind in the universe

Space & Time Illusion:

Quantum mechanics has even introduced more uncertainty, "Trying to pin down a subatomic particle's location or motion is like trying to put your finger on a snowflake; the very act of measurement destroys the thing being measured." Concurs physicist Nathan Seiberg, of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton: "I am almost certain that space and time are illusions. These are primitive notions that will be replaced by something more sophisticated."

That conclusion, is rocking the foundations of physics, causing metaphysical reechoings that inevitably follow radical changes in our basic understanding of how the universe works.

String Theory:

String theory emerged as the only viable solution to reconcile gravitation with quantum mechanics, by eliminating the notion of infinitely small particles. The loop of string is the smallest allowable size. The cause behind this confusion is the string theory, a concept that has become dominant in modern physics. It proposes that the basic ingredients in the universe are no longer the familiar particles, electrons and quarks, but absolutely small vibrating strings of unknown fundamental essense. Different configurations of strings produce different harmonic chords. The vibrating string gives rise to the particles, and the way the string vibrates determines each particle's properties. The string theory appears to be propelling this evolution one inevitable drastic step further.