The Shaggy Steed of Physics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. The Shaggy Steed of Physics

   • David Oliver

   Pages 1-6

3. The Heavens and the Elements

   • David Oliver

   Pages 7-19

4. The Law of Motion

   • David Oliver

   Pages 21-83

5. Classical Mechanics: The Heavens

   • David Oliver

   Pages 85-136

6. Quantum Mechanics: The Elements

   • David Oliver

   Pages 137-187

7. The Hidden Unity of Space and Time

   • David Oliver

   Pages 189-211

8. The Manifold Universe

   • David Oliver

   Pages 213-237

9. Back Matter

   Pages 239-298

   PDF

The universe embraces with sensual presence. No thought, no word is needed to behold sky, sun, moon, stars. It is not in reflection but in experi­ ence that one inhales the earthy smells of damp woods, becomes dizzy under the sweep of the starry night sky, basks in the sun's warmth, rolls in ocean breakers, tastes salt. The sensual universe is open, available, immediate. But beneath its sensuality, the universe has an interior landscape that lies hidden. Though veiled, the inner nature of the cosmos draws us. It invites us to find the underlying source of the motions of sun, moon, and stars, search out the primal form of all matter, and discover the unity beneath the diversity of the earthy substances that excite the senses. The inner nature of the cosmos is a landscape of exquisite beauty which appropriately underlies the exterior splendor of our experience. This interior landscape of matter and motion which lies both in and beyond the senses-the physical face of the universe-is mathematical.

• atom
• chemistry
• electron
• energy
• hydrogen
• mechanics
• physics
• quantum field
• quantum mechanics
• relativity
• solar system
• symmetry
• theory of relativity

From the reviews of the second edition:

"In the present book, the shaggy steed of physics is the two-body problem, a problem that guides the reader through an interesting tour of the mathematical beauty hidden in the physical world. Actually, the author takes an approach which is opposite to that usually taken by the physicist who often marvels at the physical beauty hidden in the mathematical world. This reverse approach makes the reading of this book both interesting and illuminating for the professional physicist or chemist." (Fernande Grandjean and Gary J. Long, Physicalia Vol. 57 (3), 2005)

"The book celebrates an unassuming bit of physics that also turns out to be an inspiring teacher. The two-body problem - the motion of two bodies bound by the inverse-square force of gravity and electricity - is the Shaggy Steed of Physics, guiding the reader to an understanding of both the forces and the mathematical beauty hidden in the physical world. … The second edition preserves the spirit of the original while deepening key topics." (Zentralblatt für Didaktik der Mathematik, January, 2005)

"This is the second edition of a very interesting little book first published in 1994. The author writes with considerable conviction, passion, and clarity on the topic of mechanics as the one major unifying theme … . Overall, I regard this to be an excellent book, especially important for those in the community who would like to understand the big picture, the connections and the similarities between the major physical theories which describe our universe … ." (J M Hill, The Physicist, Vol. 41 (5), September/October, 2004)

"Oliver’s new edition … of his intellectual history of mechanics and the transition from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics enhances the first edition in several areas. … Oliver writes elegantly, almost to the point of being flowery. … One delightful feature not often found in works of this type is the inclusion of an appendix that contains brief technical biographies and portraits of the major contributors to the topic … . Summing up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate students; professionals." (A. Spero, CHOICE, June, 2004)

• The Fields of Michael and Gabriel, Meadows of Dan, USA

  David Oliver

Policies and ethics