Physical Origins of Time Asymmetry PDF Download

Author: J. J. Halliwell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521568371
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 540

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Book Description
We say that the processes going on in the world about us are asymmetric in time or display an arrow of time. Yet this manifest fact of our experience is particularly difficult to explain in terms of the fundamental laws of physics. This volume reconciles these profoundly conflicting facts.

Author: Huw Price
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199839328
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Why is the future so different from the past? Why does the past affect the future and not the other way around? What does quantum mechanics really tell us about the world? In this important and accessible book, Huw Price throws fascinating new light on some of the great mysteries of modern physics, and connects them in a wholly original way. Price begins with the mystery of the arrow of time. Why, for example, does disorder always increase, as required by the second law of thermodynamics? Price shows that, for over a century, most physicists have thought about these problems the wrong way. Misled by the human perspective from within time, which distorts and exaggerates the differences between past and future, they have fallen victim to what Price calls the "double standard fallacy": proposed explanations of the difference between the past and the future turn out to rely on a difference which has been slipped in at the beginning, when the physicists themselves treat the past and future in different ways. To avoid this fallacy, Price argues, we need to overcome our natural tendency to think about the past and the future differently. We need to imagine a point outside time -- an Archimedean "view from nowhen" -- from which to observe time in an unbiased way. Offering a lively criticism of many major modern physicists, including Richard Feynman and Stephen Hawking, Price shows that this fallacy remains common in physics today -- for example, when contemporary cosmologists theorize about the eventual fate of the universe. The "big bang" theory normally assumes that the beginning and end of the universe will be very different. But if we are to avoid the double standard fallacy, we need to consider time symmetrically, and take seriously the possibility that the arrow of time may reverse when the universe recollapses into a "big crunch." Price then turns to the greatest mystery of modern physics, the meaning of quantum theory. He argues that in missing the Archimedean viewpoint, modern physics has missed a radical and attractive solution to many of the apparent paradoxes of quantum physics. Many consequences of quantum theory appear counterintuitive, such as Schrodinger's Cat, whose condition seems undetermined until observed, and Bell's Theorem, which suggests a spooky "nonlocality," where events happening simultaneously in different places seem to affect each other directly. Price shows that these paradoxes can be avoided by allowing that at the quantum level the future does, indeed, affect the past. This demystifies nonlocality, and supports Einstein's unpopular intuition that quantum theory describes an objective world, existing independently of human observers: the Cat is alive or dead, even when nobody looks. So interpreted, Price argues, quantum mechanics is simply the kind of theory we ought to have expected in microphysics -- from the symmetric standpoint. Time's Arrow and Archimedes' Point presents an innovative and controversial view of time and contemporary physics. In this exciting book, Price urges physicists, philosophers, and anyone who has ever pondered the mysteries of time to look at the world from the fresh perspective of Archimedes' Point and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, the universe around us, and our own place in time.

Author: Steven F. Savitt
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521599450
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
While experience tells us that time flows from the past to the present and into the future, a number of philosophical and physical objections exist to this commonsense view of dynamic time. In an attempt to make sense of this conundrum, philosophers and physicists are forced to confront fascinating questions, such as: Can effects precede causes? Can one travel in time? Can the expansion of the Universe or the process of measurement in quantum mechanics define a direction in time? In this book, researchers from both physics and philosophy attempt to answer these issues in an interesting, yet rigorous way. This fascinating book will be of interest to physicists and philosophers of science and educated general readers interested in the direction of time.

Author: H. Dieter Zeh
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662027593
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
The asymmetry of natural phenomena under time reversal is striking. Here Zehinvestigates the most important classes of physical phenomena that characterize the arrow of time, discussing their interrelations as well as striving to uncover a cosmological common root of the phenomena, such as the time-independent wave function of the universe. The description of irreversible phenomena is shown to be fundamentally "observer-related". Both physicists and philosophers of science who reviewed the first edition considered this book a magnificent survey, a concise, technically sophisticated, up-to-date discussion of the subject, showing fine sensivity to some of the crucial philosophicalsubtleties. This new and expanded edition will be welcomed by both students and specialists.

Author: Charis Anastopoulos
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 9780691135120
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 444

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Book Description
'Particle or Wave' explains the origins and development of modern physical concepts about matter and the controversies surrounding them.

Author: Sean Carroll
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0452296544
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
"An accessible and engaging exploration of the mysteries of time." -Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe Twenty years ago, Stephen Hawking tried to explain time by understanding the Big Bang. Now, Sean Carroll says we need to be more ambitious. One of the leading theoretical physicists of his generation, Carroll delivers a dazzling and paradigm-shifting theory of time's arrow that embraces subjects from entropy to quantum mechanics to time travel to information theory and the meaning of life. From Eternity to Here is no less than the next step toward understanding how we came to exist, and a fantastically approachable read that will appeal to a broad audience of armchair physicists, and anyone who ponders the nature of our world.

Author: Craig Callender
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0199298203
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 704

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Book Description
This is the first comprehensive book on the philosophy of time. Leading philosophers discuss the metaphysics of time, our experience and representation of time, the role of time in ethics and action, and philosophical issues in the sciences of time, especially quantum mechanics and relativity theory.

Author: Viatcheslav Mukhanov
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139447114
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 454

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Book Description
Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. This textbook, first published in 2005, explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail, however the reader is brought to the frontiers of current cosmological research by the discussion of more speculative ideas. An ideal textbook for both advanced students of physics and astrophysics, all of the necessary background material is included in every chapter and no prior knowledge of general relativity and quantum field theory is assumed.

Author: Marian P. Ehlert
Publisher: Gavin Jay Maureemootoo
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality offers an insightful journey into the depths of cosmology, providing an in-depth exploration of the fundamental concepts and theories that shape our understanding of the universe. This captivating book takes readers on a captivating odyssey, unraveling the mysteries of space, time, and the intricate texture of reality. From the very beginning, the book sets the stage with an Introduction to Cosmology, presenting an overview of the Big Bang Theory and the theoretical frameworks that underpin cosmological studies. Understanding the origins of the universe becomes a fascinating endeavor as the book delves into the early universe, discussing concepts such as inflation theory and the formation of cosmic structures. Observational methods in cosmology take center stage in Chapter 2, where readers are introduced to telescopes and observatories, along with the significance of cosmic microwave background radiation. As the exploration continues, the book covers topics such as redshift and Hubble's Law, as well as the intriguing measurements and implications of dark matter and dark energy. The Cosmic Microwave Background is thoroughly examined in Chapter 4, highlighting its discovery and importance. Exploring cosmic microwave background anisotropy and the cosmological implications of polarization brings readers closer to comprehending the intricate fabric of the universe. Another captivating topic covered in the book is the formation of structures in the universe. Chapter 5 unveils the large-scale structure of the universe, shedding light on galaxy clusters, superclusters, and the fascinating birth of galaxies. Expanding the scope of inquiry, Chapter 6 delves into the evolution of stars and galaxies, offering an enthralling examination of stellar evolution, galactic morphology and evolution, as well as the captivating world of active galactic nuclei. Dark matter and dark energy, the enigmatic components that shape our universe, take the spotlight in Chapter 7. Readers are immersed in a comprehensive exploration of the nature, properties, and implications of dark matter and dark energy, unraveling their roles in the expansion of the universe and the development of cosmological models. The book takes a mind-bending turn in Chapter 8, where the concept of parallel universes and multiple dimensions is explored. Through the lens of multiverse theories, readers are invited to contemplate the mind-boggling possibilities presented by string theory, the Many Worlds Interpretation, and the Anthropic Principle. Chapter 9 delves into cosmological models and theories, presenting the standard cosmological model (ΛCDM), alternative models, and modifications, as well as the intriguing realm of quantum cosmology. Finally, the book concludes with Chapter 10, providing thought-provoking insights into the fate of the universe. Will it experience a Big Freeze, a Big Crunch, or a Big Rip? Multiverse scenarios and the ultimate destiny of the universe offer captivating perspectives that will leave readers pondering the awe-inspiring nature of existence. The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the cosmos. With its engaging narrative and in-depth exploration of cosmological concepts, this book is an invaluable resource for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts. Embark on an enlightening journey through the depths of the cosmos, and unlock the secrets of the universe's fabric.

Author: Roberto Mangabeira Unger
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107074061
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 567

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Book Description
Roberto Mangabeira Unger and Lee Smolin argue for a revolution in our cosmological ideas. Ideal for non-scientists, physicists and cosmologists.