Physics and Technology for Future Presidents: An Introduction to the Essential Physics Every World Leader Needs to Know

by Richard A. Muller

Physics and Technology for Future Presidents contains the essential physics that students need in order to understand today's core science and technology issues, and to become the next generation of world leaders. From the physics of energy to climate change, and from spy technology to quantum computers, this is the only textbook to focus on the modern physics affecting the decisions of political leaders and CEOs and, consequently, the lives of every citizen. How practical are alternative energy sources? Can satellites really read license plates from space? What is the quantum physics behind iPods and supermarket scanners? And how much should we fear a terrorist nuke? This lively book empowers students possessing any level of scientific background with the tools they need to make informed decisions and to argue their views persuasively with anyone--expert or otherwise.

Based on Richard Muller's renowned course at Berkeley, the book explores critical physics energy and power, atoms and heat, gravity and space, nuclei and radioactivity, chain reactions and atomic bombs, electricity and magnetism, waves, light, invisible light, climate change, quantum physics, and relativity. Muller engages readers through many intriguing examples, helpful facts to remember, a fun-to-read text, and an emphasis on real-world problems rather than mathematical computation. He includes chapter summaries, essay and discussion questions, Internet research topics, and handy tips for instructors to make the classroom experience more rewarding.

Accessible and entertaining, Physics and Technology for Future Presidents gives students the scientific fluency they need to become well-rounded leaders in a world driven by science and technology.

Leading universities that have adopted this book

Harvard Purdue Rice University University of Chicago Sarah Lawrence College Notre Dame Wellesley Wesleyan University of Colorado Northwestern Washington University in St. Louis University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign Fordham University of Miami George Washington University

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Technology, Reference

525 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2006

About the author

Richard A. Muller is professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a past winner of the MacArthur Fellowship. His popular science book Physics for Future Presidents and academic textbook Physics and Technology for Future Presidents are based on his renowned course for non-science students. He lives in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Denis Vasilev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Непростая, но уникальная и топовая книга по теоритической, но важной для практической деятельности любого топ менеджера физике

[Akbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flunked high school physics, but always thought that there are things very interesting in the subject. Years later, i stumbled upon this book from Dominic Cumming's list, eager to learn back everything i missed.

The book turned out perfect. I have yet to find such a great combination of efficient explanation and math (which are optional throughout the book). While some stuffs needed update (e.g. solar panels got cheaper in the last decade, a recent photo of a blackhole in the middle of the galaxy), the fundamentals are sufficient to explain everyday physical phenomena, and provided basic for current technology, so you would be prepared for coming ones.

While this is a textbook, it proved exciting enough to be read cover to cover (though i'd be coming back to reference stuff). The chapters on Atoms, Chain Reaction and Quantum Mechanics are particularly interesting. I've been looking for an equivalent of this book on different subjects (biology, for example) but have not yet to found one. Choose this book over the popular Physics/Energy for Future Presidents by the same author.

This book helped me to become more scientifically literate. It taught me not only physics, but a way of thinking.

[Schuyler]

Reader, I lived.

[Lili Argianas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book for people who are interested in the base-line of physics without wanting to know the mathematics of it all. Should be a required reading for every major.

[Paul Dabrowa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for everyone. It explains final year physics without the mathematics. If you don't know physics you can't really do much in the world.

[Neela]

recommended by @ntmoore (physics professor)

[Bertine]

Awesome book but let’s admit it, I am never going to finish reading a textbook when I don’t have to. This will live on my bookshelf until I decide to read it again. One day.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers an overview of physics, from mechanics to quantum, at the everyday, practical level. If you want to know how the physics of light or relativity affect your life this is the physics book to pick up. That being said, it is a textbook so, while well-written, it does not read like a popular book on physics. Where I see this book fitting best is with high school students who want some practical insights to go along with the physics they are studying. I think most students would enjoy it; it is written with good humor.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with how well written the book was. Dr. Muller managed to simplify and explain many complex scientific concepts for the lay reader.

[Robert]

Good book, a must read for informed discussion some major issues . At Cal, took an advanced class from the author where he demonstrated the ability to explain hard topics clearly.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for my students!

[Nancy Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the basic science behind issues that face policy makers. A great way to sort out the propaganda for yourself.

[Kate Blumenthal]

I've just started and I don't want to put it down. However I have to put on the to-read shelf as other books have, in fact, taken over.

[Aziizsut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a good physics book. It covered major aspects in everyday physics and written in a casual way which makes it suitable for policy maker

[Christine Laymon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favorite textbooks!

[Ross Killion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for everyone.

[Rosie K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For PHY 321 Plan II Physics, spring 2022

[William T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books even though it is a textbook! Excellent!