Physics and Modern Life

This book introduces physics concepts and principles at a conversant but non-technical level. It also explores technology, with particular focus on two overarching themes that largely define modern life: our intensified use of energy and digital information. These themes take up several entire chapters ("e;Human Use of Chemical Fuel,"e; "e;Computers,"e; and "e;Light and Telecommunications"e;) and substantial parts of several others (e.g., sections on satellites and GPS, telegraph and telephone networks, generators and transformers, nuclear power, and solid-state technologies). The themes of energy and information highlight the pertinence of physics and facilitate a big-picture understanding of how life today differs from that of two hundred or two thousand years ago. The book grew out of lecture notes for a one-semester college physics course for non-science majors, so it could be useful to instructors and students of similar courses. The abundance of material offers some freedom in the design of such a course. However, the author hopes that the combination of conceptual depth and informal tone will appeal to a more diverse audience united by a genuine curiosity regarding science and technology. That audience might include pursuers of continuing education as well as physics majors looking for a lighter conceptual supplement to give context to their more technical coursework.