Develops quantum theory from its basic assumptions, beginning with statics, followed by dynamics and details of applications and the needed computational techniques. Most of the book deals with particle systems, as that is where most of the applications lie; the treatment of quantum field theory is confined to fundamental ideas and their consequences.
The book delves into the foundational role of differential equations in physics, tracing their origins back to Isaac Newton. It highlights the distinction between equations of motion and the specific forces and shapes that influence them. The focus is on how physicists infer properties of objects that are beyond direct observation by analyzing their effects. The text emphasizes the process of solving direct problems, where theoretical predictions derived from differential equations are compared with experimental data to validate or challenge our understanding of nature.
The book challenges physicists to reflect more deeply on their theoretical assumptions rather than just focusing on problem-solving. Roger Newton argues that a greater emphasis on understanding the foundations of physics will enhance their ability to tackle scientific challenges effectively. He provides a framework for exploring and interpreting the fundamental theories of modern physics, encouraging a shift from comfortable problem-solving to a more critical examination of the underlying principles that guide scientific inquiry.
It's not a scientific truth that has come into question lately but the truth - the very notion of scientific truth. Bringing a reasonable voice to the culture wars that have sprung up around this notion, this book offers a clear and constructive response to those who contend, in parodies, polemics, and op-ed pieces, that there really is no such thing as verifiable objective truth - without which there could be no such thing as scientific authority. Roger Newton gives us a guided tour of the intellectual structure of physical science. From there he conducts us through the understanding of reality engendered by modern physics, the most theoretically advanced of the sciences. With its first-hand look at models, facts, and theories, intuition and imagination, the use of analogies and metaphors, the importance of mathematics (and now, computers), and the "virtual" reality of the physics of micro-particles, The Truth of Science is a practicing scientist's account of the foundations, processes, and value of science.