Men of Physics: Galileo Galilei, His Life and His Works : The Commonwealth and International Library: Selected Readings in Physics

Men of Physics: Galileo Galilei, His Life and His Works deals with Galileo Galilei's radical discoveries and trail during the Inquisition. The book describes the life of Galileo and his many interests in art and music, in addition to science. Galileo is born in Pisa in 1564, and at age 25, he is appointed to the Chair of Mathematics at the University of Pisa. He writes several papers, for example, mathematical continuum as contrasted with physical atomism, and investigates the behavior of magnetic poles. He believes in William Gilbert's experiment that the earth itself is a large magnet. He conducts experiments on oscillations — using a simple pendulum to investigate complex phenomena. He defines uniform motion, with respect to time intervals, whether these are great or small. He suggests a method to measure the speed of light, believing that light has a definite speed. He contributes to knowledge on sunspots, constructs his own telescopes, and is considered by some as the inventor of the telescope. He publishes''The Two Chief World Systems,''comparing the Ptolemaic and Copernican theories of the solar system and claiming that the earth moves and the sun stands still. For this, the Inquisition orders him to stand trial. He confesses, abjures, and lives under house arrest. In 1639, he refuses an offer of freedom by the Pope. Galileo dies in 1642. He is known as the founder of modern physics. Students of history and most readers with general interest will find this book entertaining and informative. Content: Inside Front Cover , Page ii Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Dedication , Page v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS , Page ix PREFACE , Page xi CHAPTER 1 - CURIOUS STUDENT , Pages 3-6 CHAPTER 2 - RESEARCH PROFESSOR , Pages 7-15 CHAPTER 3 - CLEVER COURTIER , Pages 16-25 CHAPTER 4 - POPULAR AUTHOR , Pages 26-37 INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS , Page 43 CHAPTER 5 - INTERPRETING SENSE IMPRESSIONS , Pages 44-51 CHAPTER 6 - CONTINUA—MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL , Pages 52-62 CHAPTER 7 - MAGNETISM , Pages 63-73 CHAPTER 8 - THE PUMP THAT FAILED , Pages 74-75 CHAPTER 9 - APPARENT LIGHTNESS , Pages 76-114 CHAPTER 10 - WEIGHING AIR , Pages 115-119 CHAPTER 11 - FLOATING EBONY , Pages 120-132 CHAPTER 12 - ANALYZING AN ALLOY , Pages 133-139 CHAPTER 13 - THE SCREW AS A MACHINE , Pages 140-150 CHAPTER 14 - STRENGTH OF MATERIALS , Pages 151-169 CHAPTER 15 - NATURAL OSCILLATIONS , Pages 170-183 CHAPTER 16 - FALLING BODIES , Pages 184-238 CHAPTER 17 - SPOTS ON THE SUN , Pages 239-246 CHAPTER 18 - NEW MOONS , Pages 247-259 CHAPTER 19 - PARALLAX OF A STAR , Pages 260-268 CHAPTER 20 - NATURE—GOD'S HANDIWORK , Pages 269-275 OUTLINE OF LIFE AND WORKS , Pages 277-280 INDEX , Pages 281-286 BIBLIOGRAPHY , Pages 38-39