Roots of Modern Technology: An Elegant Survey of the Basic Mathematical and Scientific ConceptsIf the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates came to life again today, he would wonder how airplanes fly and light bulbs glow, but not wonder much about the world’s political and social changes that took place since his time. The author puts himself in the position of explaining to Socrates the technological fundamentals behind all our modern conveniences . Since he takes Socrates seriously, the author accepts the challenge of introducing the relevant mathematical and technical concepts, and he does so in a remarkably easy-tounderstand and accurate way. The result is a comprehensive overview of the elements of our technical civilization, an overview properly based upon elementary but solid mathematical and scientific principles. Everyone with an inclination toward science and technology can take advantage of the clear structure, the comprehensive presentation and the many wonderfully-illustrated examples of the book. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
Mathematicians Are Nothing Special They Draw and Compare | 53 |
When It Helps to Ignore Any Meaning | 81 |
About the Methods for Computing the Future | 109 |
What Talking and Writing Have in Common | 131 |
Part II Fundamentals of Natural Sciences | 144 |
How the Difference between Particles and Waves Disappeared | 267 |
How Recipes in the Cells of Living Organisms Were Found and Can Be Rewritten | 308 |
Part III Fundamentals of Engineering | 344 |
Why Engineers Are Playing with Models | 345 |
Everything becomes Digital Really Everything? | 389 |
Concluding Remarks | 437 |
Acknowledgments | 439 |
| 441 | |
What the Moon Has to Do with Mechanical Engineering | 147 |
How Albert Einstein Disregarded Common Sense | 173 |
How a Few Frog Legs Triggered the Origin of Electrical Engineering | 206 |
Small Smaller Smallest How the Components of Matter Were Found | 241 |
| 443 | |
| 445 | |
Common terms and phrases
actual angle applied arrow assume atoms binary body called cells charge complex components concept considered contains coordinate corresponding curve defined definition depends described determined direction distance distribution electrical electrons elements energy engineers equal equation example experiments explain expression fact factor field flow force formal formula four function given idea input interpreted introduced kind leads length letter light look mass mathematical means measured move natural numbers objects observer obtained occur operation original pairs particles physical position possible present probability problem properties quantities question reference relation relative represented result rotation rules selected sequence shape shown shows side so-called space specific speed square structure symbols theory tion unit voltage wave zero