Science Matters Achieving Scientific Literacy [Paperback]

Knowledge of the basic ideas and principles of science is fundamental to cultural literacy. But most books on science are often too obscure or too specialized to do the general reader much good.

Science Mattersis a rare exception-a science book for the general reader that is informative enough to be a popular textbook for introductory courses in high school and college, and yet well-written enough to appeal to general readers uncomfortable with scientific jargon and complicated mathematics. And now, revised and expanded for the first time in nearly two decades, it is up-to-date, so that readers can enjoy Hazen and Trefil's refreshingly accessible explanations of the most recent developments in science, from particle physics to biotechnology.CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Scientific Literacy: What It Is, Why It’s Important, and Why We Don’t Have It

ONE. Knowing
The universe is regular and predictable.

TWO.Energy
Energy is conserved and always goes from more useful
to less useful forms.

THREE.Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and magnetism are two aspects of the same force.

FOUR.The Atom
All matter is made of atoms.

FIVE.The World of the Quantum
Everything comes in discrete units and you can’t measure anything without changing it.

SIX.Chemical Bonding
Atoms are bound by electron glue.

SEVEN.Atomic Architecture
The way a material behaves depends on how its atoms are arranged.

EIGHT.Nuclear Physics
Nuclear energy comes from the conversion of mass.

NINE.The Fundamental Structure of Matter
All matter is really made of quarks and leptons.

TEN.Astronomy
Stars experience a cycle of birth and death.

ELEVEN.The Cosmos
The universe was born at a specific time in the past, l£Ç