The Story of MeasurementNew from the author of the highly successful The Story of Writing, here is the first fully illustrated guide to the human passion for measurement - of ourselves, our experiences, our surroundings and the universe - published at a time of great interest in popular science titles. Answering many of the questions of everyday life, and sure to appeal to a broad readership, the book is at once a valuable reference that every home should have, an important work that catalogues our obsession with quantifying the universe - and a wonderful gift. |
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Contents
Chapter 6 Earth | 106 |
THE MEANING OF MEASURING 18 Atmosphere Storms Hurricanes and Tornadoes | 136 |
Ancient Numerals Number Bases Zero and Infinity Holes Constants of Nature The Expanding Universe | 157 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
19th century accuracy analemma ancient Andrew Robinson angle astronomical atmosphere atomic clocks atoms Babylonian blood body calculated calendar Cassini Celsius cent centimetres chemical chemical elements circle clock colour cubit decimal defined diagram discovered distance Earth earthquake Einstein electrical electromagnetic electrons energy equal equator eruption example fingerprinting French frequency galaxies Global Positioning System golden ratio Greek Greenwich Hipparchus human hurricane International invented kilogram known laser latitude length light lines logarithmic London longitude magnetic magnitude mathematical means metre metric system millimetres million minutes molecules Moon nanometres National National Physical Laboratory nature observed ocean orbit particles physical physicist planets pollen pressure radiation radioactive ratio Roman satellite scale scientific scientists seismograph shows solar space standard stars surface survey symbols telescope temperature Theodore Porter theory units Universe volcano wavelength waves weights and measures words writing zero