Shifting the Earth - The Mathematical Quest to Understand the Motion of the Universe

Book Details

• Title: Shifting the Earth: The Mathematical Quest to Understand the Motion of the Universe

• Author: A. Mazer

• Brand: Wiley

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Format: Import

• Number of Pages: 328

• Release Date: 22-09-2011

• EAN: 9781118024270

• Package Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches

• Languages: English

Summary:
Shifting the Earth takes readers on a journey through the history of science and mathematics, exploring the efforts to understand the motion of the universe. From Ancient Greece to modern times, this book provides a thought-provoking account of how mathematicians and scientists have shaped our understanding of the heavens and the universe's motion. It places the contributions of key historical figures within their sociopolitical contexts, offering a unique perspective on how their discoveries were influenced by and, in turn, influenced the world around them.

The book delves into:

• The Evolution of Scientific Thought: The transition from Ptolemy's geocentric model to Kepler's heliocentric model, with Copernicus as the intermediary.

• Key Historical Figures: The contributions of Archimedes, Apollonius, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein, among others, are discussed in-depth.

• Mathematics and Science: The text includes accessible mathematical presentations of the scientific discoveries, making it suitable for readers with basic math knowledge. Readers can skip the mathematical sections without losing track of the narrative history.

• Sociopolitical Context: Each chapter frames the life and work of a scientist within the broader historical context, showing how discoveries were influenced by the times in which they were made.

The book is designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of science and mathematics, offering insights into how human understanding of the universe has evolved over centuries.