This book traces the history of ideas about the nature of matter and also the way that mankind has used material resources that the world offers. Starting with the ideas of ancient civilizations that air, earth, fire and water were the basic ingredients of all matter, it traces the development of the science of chemistry beginning within the ranks of the alchemists. First, the idea of elements grew and then the atomic nature of matter was verified. Physicists had entered the scene, showing the nature of atoms in terms of fundamental particles and then introducing the concept of wave-particle duality that altered the basic concepts of what matter was. Finally the physicists discovered a panoply of fundamental particles, some observed within atom-smashing machines and the existence of others merely postulated. In parallel with the above there is a description of various kinds of matter as it affects everyday life OCo including the nature of matter associated with life itself. The way that early man used the materials directly given by nature, such as stone, wood and animal skins, is followed by the use of materials requiring some process to be employed OCo e.g. metals which include bronze and also concrete. Some important modern materials are discussed, such as synthetic fibres and plastics and semiconductors, and potentially important future products from new developments in nanotechnology. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Introduction (35 KB). Contents: The Elements of Nature; Early Ideas of the Nature of Matter; The Quest for Gold and Eternal Life; The Beginning of Chemistry; Modern Chemistry is Born; Nineteenth Century Chemistry; Atoms Have Structure; Radioactivity and the Plum-Pudding Model; Some Early 20th Century Physics; What is a Nucleus Made of?; Electrons in Atoms; The New Mechanics; Electrons and Chemistry; Electron Spin and the Exclusion Principle; Isotopes; Radioactivity and More Particles; Making Atoms, Explosions and Power; Observing Matter on a Small Scale; Living Matter; Life at the Atomic Level; Materials from Ancient Times; Modern Materials; The Fantastic World of Particles; How Matter Began; Making Heavier Elements. Readership: Accessible to a wide audience including the educated layperson and undergraduates taking science as a subsidiary subject.

An eye-opening adventure deep inside the everyday materials that surround us, from concrete and steel to denim and chocolate, packed with surprising stories and fascinating science.

Mechanics of Magnetostrictive Materials and Structures demonstrates the practical applications and uses for cutting-edge smart magnetostrictive materials. Exploring the analytical and numerical solution procedures and characteristics of these materials more generally, the book details how these materials respond to external factors. Exceptionally adjustable and adaptable, magnetostrictive materials are artifcial structures that offer distinctive physical properties. Providing clear illustrations throughout, this book includes a comprehensive guide to the theory and its applications. Presenting the mathematical tools needed to analyze magnetostrictive materials and structures, through the use of MATLAB®, the book will also detail static analysis. Comprehensively assessing the practicalities of these smart materials, it also discusses vibration and buckling under different loads, alongside dynamic behavior. Features: Includes MATLAB® for analytical and numerical simulations relevant to mechanics of magnetostrictive materials Presents vibration analysis of magnetostrictive materials and structures Demonstrates and analyzes the effect of implementing boundary conditions on the mechanical responses of magnetostrictive structures Examines the use of smart materials in engineering structures Aimed at students and professionals working in the field of mechanics, materials and dynamics, the book is an essential guide to this rapidly developing area.

I have been teaching courses on experimental techniques in nuclear and particle physics to master students in physics and in engineering for many years. This book grew out of the lecture notes I made for these students. The physics and engineering students have rather different expectations of what such a course should be like. I hope that I have nevertheless managed to write a book that can satisfy the needs of these different target audiences. The lectures themselves, of course, need to be adapted to the needs of each group of students. An engineering student will not qu- tion a statement like “the velocity of the electrons in atoms is ?1% of the velocity of light”, a physics student will. Regarding units, I have written factors h and c explicitly in all equations throughout the book. For physics students it would be preferable to use the convention that is common in physics and omit these constants in the equations, but that would probably be confusing for the engineering students. Physics students tend to be more interested in theoretical physics courses. However, physics is an experimental science and physics students should und- stand how experiments work, and be able to make experiments work. This is an open access book.

Designed as a textbook for Materials Science course offered in undergraduate engineering programmes as well as in M.Sc. (Physics and Chemistry), the book exposes the fundamental knowledge of Crystal Structure, Crystal Defects and Bonding in Solids. The text deals with Introductory Quantum Physics, Electrical Properties of Materials, Band Theory of Solids, Semiconducting Materials and Dielectric Materials. Moreover, Properties of Superconducting Materials as well as Optical Properties of Materials and Magnetic Properties of Materials are emphasized in an explicit way. Also, well-organized presentation of topics, use of simple language, chapter-end solved problems, short and descriptive type questions together make the book effective in terms of building a solid foundation of the subject. SALIENT FEATURES • Detailed coverage of the uses of Optical Properties of Materials like CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc and Holographic Data Storage. • Deep explanation of the synthesis and properties of Nanomaterials. • In-depth coverage of Display Devices. • Full coverage of advanced engineering materials like Shape Memory Alloys, Metallic Glasses, Non-linear Materials, and Biomaterials. • Thorough coverage of Nanoelectronics and Nanodevices. • In-depth detail of synthesis and properties of Carbon Nanotubes. • Wide coverage of characterization of materials like XRD, ESCA, SEM, TEM, STM, ESR and NMR.

Functional materials have assumed a very prominent position in several high-tech areas. Such materials are not being classified on the basis of their origin, nature of bonding or processing techniques but are classified on the basis of the functions they can perform. This is a significant departure from the earlier schemes in which materials were described as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, glass materials etc. Several new processing techniques have also evolved in the recent past. Because of the diversity of materials and their functions it has become extremely difficult to obtain information from single source. Functional Materials: Preparation, Processing and Applications provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments. - Serves as a ready reference for Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science researchers by covering a wide range of functional materials in one book - Aids in the design of new materials by emphasizing structure or microstructure – property correlation - Covers the processing of functional materials in detail, which helps in conceptualizing the applications of them

Physics for the IB Diploma, Sixth edition, covers in full the requirements of the IB syllabus for Physics for first examination in 2016. The Sixth edition of this well-known Coursebook is fully updated for the IB Physics syllabus for first examination in 2016, comprehensively covering all requirements. Get the complete coverage of the syllabus with clear assessment statements, and links to Theory of Knowledge, International-mindedness and Nature of Science themes. Exam preparation is supported with extensive sample exam questions, online test questions and exam tips. Chapters covering the Options and Nature of Science, assessment guidance and answers to questions are included in the free additional online material available with the book.