Reasoning about Luck : Probability and its Uses in Physics
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Reasoning about Luck uses no mathematics beyond basic algebra and geometry. It is unusually well written, and the author's dry sense of humour considerably increased my pleasure in reading it ... would be a superb choice for an upper-division honors seminar aimed at students from all the sciences or as supplementary reading in an undergraduate course in modern physics ... In thinking carefully about the minimum knowledge of physics that an educated citizen should have, Ambegaokar has made a real contribution to the discussion. In addition, he has produced a thoroughly enjoyable physics book.' Ruth Howes Physics Today
Book Description
This book introduces the reader to statistical reasoning and its use in physics. It differs from other treatments of physics for nonscientists in its wide-ranging use of quantitative methods, which assume only that the reader can add, subtract, multiply and divide with confidence. The author begins with a self-contained introduction to the everyday uses of probability, including the quantitative assessment of statistical information. The author develops the basic idea of mechanical motion, the molecular theory of gases, entropy as a measure of molecular agitation, limitations on the conversion of heat to work, the physics of the direction of time; chaos, and the role of probability in quantum mechanics. To aid self instruction, there are solved problems at the end of each chapter. This book is perfect for undergraduate physics students and nonscience majors.
Reasoning about Luck: Probability and its Uses in Physics,Vinay Ambegaokar,Cambridge University Press,0521447372,Mathematical Physics,Physics,Probability measures,Science,Science/Mathematics,Statistical physics,Science / Physics,Theoretical methods
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