Elsevier Physical Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Applications in Society

Product Description The advancements in society are intertwined with the advancements in science. To understand how changes in society occurred, and will continue to change, one has to have a basic understanding of the laws of physics and chemistry. Physical Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Applications in Society examines how the laws of physics and chemistry (physical chemistry) explain the dynamic nature of the Universe and events on Earth, and how these events affect the evolution of society (multidisciplinary applications). The ordering of the chapters reflects the natural flow of events in an evolving Universe: Philosophy of Science, the basis of the view that natural events have natural causes - Cosmology, the origin of everything from the Big Bang to the current state of the Universe - Geoscience, the physics and chemistry behind the evolution of the planet Earth from its birth to the present - Life Science, the molecules and mechanisms of life on Earth - Ecology, the interdependence of all components within the Ecosphere and the Universe - Information Content, emphasis on how words and phrases and framing of issues affect opinions, reliability of sources, and the limitations of knowledge. Addresses the four Ws of science: Why scientists believe Nature works the way it does, Who helped develop the fields of science, What theories of natural processes tell us about the nature of Nature, and Where our scientific knowledge is taking us into the futureGives a historical review of the evolution of science, and the accompanying changes in the philosophy of how science views the nature of the UniverseExplores the physics and chemistry of Nature with minimal reliance on mathematicsExamines the structure and dynamics of the Universe and our Home Planet EarthProvides a detailed analysis of how humans, as members of the Ecosphere, have influenced, and are continuing to influence, the dynamics of events on the paludarium called EarthPresents underlying science of current political issues that shape the future of humankindEmphasizes how words and phrases and framing of issues can influence the opinions of members of societyMakes extensive use of metaphors and everyday experiences to illustrate principles in science and social interactions Review A comprehensive reference examining how physical chemistry impacts the development of practical applications across a diverse array of disciplines From the Back Cover Physical Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Applications in Society is a comprehensive reference examining the symbiotic relationship between science and the social structure of society. The approach addresses the four Ws of science: Why scientists believe Nature works the way it does, Who helped develop the fields of science, What theories of natural processes tell us about the nature of Nature, and Where our scientific knowledge is taking us into the future. Throughout history, the evolution of society has been a continuing struggle between the "head thinking" based on logic and reason and the "gut thinking" based on unsubstantiated intuition and superstition. Physical Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Applications in Society is suitable for students of science, philosophy, and the humanities, as well as scientists, politicians, environmentalists, and anyone interested in learning how science and society are intertwined in the determination of their future development.Key features:Provides a historical review of the evolution of science and the accompanying changes in the philosophy of how science views the nature of the UniverseThe ordering of the chapters reflects the natural flow of events in understanding an evolving Universe and a society: Philosophy of Science; Cosmology; Geoscience; Life Science; Ecology; and Information ContentIncludes detailed analysis of how humans have and continue to influence the dynamics of events on EarthPresents underlying science of current political issues that can affect the futu