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Science Explained: The World of Science in Everyday Life
Enhanced by a comprehensive cross-reference system that links various scientific disciplines, this scientific survey takes a close-up look at familiar objects and events, analyzing the underlying scientific principles. 50,000 first printing. $40,000 ad/promo.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
10 people want to read
About the author
Colin A. Ronan
75 books3 followersColin A. Ronan was a British author and specialist in the history and philosophy of science.
He was educated at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire and served in the British Army from 1940–1946, achieving the rank of major. After the war he obtained a BSc in Astronomy, and then took an administrative post at the secretariat of The Royal Society. While there he did an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science under Herbert Dingle at University College London. After leaving the Royal Society he took up writing, and during a long career as an author produced over forty books, mainly on astronomy, and the history and philosophy of science. Later in life he collaborated with Joseph Needham on an abridgement of Needham's great work on China, producing The Shorter Science and Civilization in China in several volumes. He played key roles in the administration of the British Astronomical Association, where he was president from 1989 to 1991, and for many years he was the editor of its journal, and director of the historical section.
For a considerable period in the 1980s and early 1990s he collaborated with Sir Patrick Moore in lecture tours. These lecture tours took the form of weekend residential symposia on single topics such as the return of Halley’s Comet. Notable and hilarious, the interplay between Ronan’s sober and intellectual analysis along with Moore’s more extravagant character, led frequent disagreements that were usually solved over several bottles of red wine. These weekends were an enormous success and made a valuable and irreplaceable contribution to the amateur astronomical scene
With his second wife Ann, he founded the Ronan Picture Library, which specialises in scientific and historical pictures. Among his many books on the history of science were studies of scientists such as Galileo, William Herschel and Edmond Halley. He also wrote scientific books for children, along with books such as The Practical Astronomer (1981) written for beginner amateur astronomers.
Ronan had an asteroid named in honour of his achievements: 4024 Ronan belongs to the Floras family, discovered by E. Bowell on November 24, 1981, at Anderson Mesa.
He was educated at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire and served in the British Army from 1940–1946, achieving the rank of major. After the war he obtained a BSc in Astronomy, and then took an administrative post at the secretariat of The Royal Society. While there he did an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science under Herbert Dingle at University College London. After leaving the Royal Society he took up writing, and during a long career as an author produced over forty books, mainly on astronomy, and the history and philosophy of science. Later in life he collaborated with Joseph Needham on an abridgement of Needham's great work on China, producing The Shorter Science and Civilization in China in several volumes. He played key roles in the administration of the British Astronomical Association, where he was president from 1989 to 1991, and for many years he was the editor of its journal, and director of the historical section.
For a considerable period in the 1980s and early 1990s he collaborated with Sir Patrick Moore in lecture tours. These lecture tours took the form of weekend residential symposia on single topics such as the return of Halley’s Comet. Notable and hilarious, the interplay between Ronan’s sober and intellectual analysis along with Moore’s more extravagant character, led frequent disagreements that were usually solved over several bottles of red wine. These weekends were an enormous success and made a valuable and irreplaceable contribution to the amateur astronomical scene
With his second wife Ann, he founded the Ronan Picture Library, which specialises in scientific and historical pictures. Among his many books on the history of science were studies of scientists such as Galileo, William Herschel and Edmond Halley. He also wrote scientific books for children, along with books such as The Practical Astronomer (1981) written for beginner amateur astronomers.
Ronan had an asteroid named in honour of his achievements: 4024 Ronan belongs to the Floras family, discovered by E. Bowell on November 24, 1981, at Anderson Mesa.
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November 19, 2020
Using familiar concepts as examples, “Science Explained” illustrates the fundamentals of science. Using easily-understood text and full-color photographs and diagrams, it explains how these fundamentals work in the world around us.
“Science Explained” divides this information into five major sections. “Space” takes a concise look at relevant topics, including our solar system, stars, and black holes. Here are theories on how the universe could have begun . . . and how it might end.
“Energy” delves into topics such as machines, pressure, energy, light, and vibrations. The study of energy and its various forms is basic for understanding the science of our world.
“Atoms and Matter” looks at the fundamental forms of matter. An investigation into atoms and their interactions gives insights into the way substances around us change.
“Life” has existed on earth for nearly four billion years and has evolved into a wide diversity. Here readers can explore the commonalities between all plants and animals on Earth.
“Brains and Computers” investigates computers and robots and looks at the development of the technology.
Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained discussion on the topic; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of science are related. A bibliography is included. Readers with an interest in science, life on Earth, and technology will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
“Science Explained” divides this information into five major sections. “Space” takes a concise look at relevant topics, including our solar system, stars, and black holes. Here are theories on how the universe could have begun . . . and how it might end.
“Energy” delves into topics such as machines, pressure, energy, light, and vibrations. The study of energy and its various forms is basic for understanding the science of our world.
“Atoms and Matter” looks at the fundamental forms of matter. An investigation into atoms and their interactions gives insights into the way substances around us change.
“Life” has existed on earth for nearly four billion years and has evolved into a wide diversity. Here readers can explore the commonalities between all plants and animals on Earth.
“Brains and Computers” investigates computers and robots and looks at the development of the technology.
Each double-page spread offers readers a self-contained discussion on the topic; cross-referencing helps explain how various areas of science are related. A bibliography is included. Readers with an interest in science, life on Earth, and technology will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review