FIVE EQUATIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
-- Michael Guillen
Rating : ****
Michael Guillen, Science Editor of ABC-TV, lists the five equations
that have most influenced the world. He covers each by first covering
the mathematician/physicist/scientist who came up with the equation,
covering each one's background. Then the author covers the issues
surrounding the equations and finally he explains the impact that
each equation had. For laymen like me, it was an interesting read,
filled with facts but not presented in a dry way. It is obvious
that the author did his research with regard to each equation and
scientist.
The five equations that he lists are:
Isaac Newton's Universal Law of Gravity, which allowed the
measurement of gravity. This allowed scientists 200 years later
to calculate gravitational forces of the earth and the moon and
thus send a man to the moon
David Bernoulli's Law of Hydronamic Pressure, which
explained the difference in flow of air and water. This explained
how a wing of an airplane can sustain lift.
Michael Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction, which
"...electrified the Industrial Revolution."
Rudolf Clausius' 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, which predicted
that positive entropy is the way of nature.
Albert Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, which proved
that matter and energy ARE interchangeable. This led to scientists
splitting an atom and ushering the world into the atomic age,
for good and bad.
A good read that will broaden your scientific knowledge.