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On September 15, 2017, the Cassini spacecraft sent its final transmission to the Earth as it entered the atmosphere of Saturn, ending its historic 13 year mission at the ringed planet. This book is a beautifully illustrated journey of discovery through the Saturn system. Cassini's instruments have revealed never seen before details, including the only extraterrestrial lakes known in the solar system, and have provided unprecedented views of the rings, moons, and the planet itself. Results from Cassini's dramatic Grand Finale of ring-grazing and planet-skimming orbits are included in this expanded and updated second edition. Saturn is the jewel of the solar system. The Cassini spacecraft has been exploring the ringed planet and its moons and rings since 2004 and has helped us solve many of its mysteries while generating a wealth of new questions. Cassini has observed the bizarre mountains of Iapetus, the geysers of Enceladus, the lakes of Titan, and the dynamic and evolving rings. Along the way, this book explores and explains the fundamental processes that shape not just the Saturn system, but planets and moons in general. Written for the general audience with an emphasis on the fundamental physics of planetary systems, The Ringed Planet is a fascinating exploration of the Saturn system that places Saturn in the context of the solar system as a whole. Cassini's instruments have revealed Enceladus and Titan to have subsurface oceans of liquid water. Its cameras have returned stunning images of rings in turmoil, a tumbling moon, the only extraterrestrial lakes known in the solar system, a hexagon of clouds, some of the highest mountains in the solar system and much more. More than a journey of discovery at Saturn, The Ringed Planet is also an introduction to how planetary systems work.

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The goal of this book is to introduce a reader to a new philosophy of teaching and learning physics – Investigative Science Learning Environment, or ISLE (pronounced as a small island). ISLE is an example of an «intentional» approach to curriculum design and learning activities (MacMillan and Garrison 1988 A Logical Theory of Teaching: Erotetics and Intentionality). Intentionality means that the process through which the learning occurs is as crucial for learning as the final outcome or learned content. In ISLE, the process through which students learn mirrors the practice of physics.

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Semiconductors and Modern Electronics is a brief introduction to the physics behind semiconductor technologies. Chuck Winrich, a physics professor at Babson College, explores the topic of semiconductors from a qualitative approach to understanding the theories and models used to explain semiconductor devices. Applications of semiconductors are explored and understood through the models developed in the book. The qualitative approach in this book is intended to bring the advanced ideas behind semiconductors to the broader audience of students who will not major in physics. Much of the inspiration for this book comes from Dr. Winrich's experience teaching a general electronics course to students majoring in business. The goal of that class, and this book, is to bring forward the science behind semiconductors, and then to look at how that science affects the lives of people.

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This book is an introduction to the mechanical properties, the force generating capacity, and the sensitivity to mechanical cues of the biological system. To understand how these qualities govern many essential biological processes, we also discuss how to measure them. However, before delving into the details and the techniques, we will first learn the operational definitions in mechanics, such as force, stress, elasticity, viscosity and so on. This book will explore the mechanics at three different length scales – molecular, cellular, and tissue levels – sequentially, and discuss the measurement techniques to quantify the intrinsic mechanical properties, force generating capacity, mechanoresponsive processes in the biological systems, and rupture forces.

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This book covers essential Microsoft EXCEL®'s computational skills while analyzing introductory physics projects. Topics of numerical analysis include; multiple graphs on the same sheet, calculation of descriptive statistical parameters, a 3-point interpolation, the Euler and the Runge-Kutter methods to solve equations of motion, the Fourier transform to calculate the normal modes of a double pendulum, matrix calculations to solve coupled linear equations of a DC circuit, animation of waves and Lissajous figures, electric and magnetic field calculations from the Poisson equation and its 3D surface graphs, variational calculus such as Fermat's least traveling time principle and the least action principle. Nelson's stochastic quantum dynamics is also introduced to draw quantum particle trajectories.

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Phase transformations are among the most intriguing and technologically useful phenomena in materials, particularly with regard to controlling microstructure. After a review of thermodynamics, this book has chapters on Brownian motion and the diffusion equation, diffusion in solids based on transition-state theory, spinodal decomposition, nucleation and growth, instabilities in solidification, and diffusionless transformations. Each chapter includes exercises whose solutions are available in a separate manual. This book is based on the notes from a graduate course taught in the Centre for Doctoral Training in the Theory and Simulation of Materials. The course was attended by students with undergraduate degrees in physics, mathematics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering. The notes from this course, and this book, were written to accommodate these diverse backgrounds.

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Practically every display technology in use today relies on the flat, energy-efficient construction made possible by liquid crystals. These displays provide visually-crisp, vibrantly-colored images that a short time ago were thought only possible in science fiction. Liquid crystals are known mainly for their use in display technologies, but they also provide many diverse and useful applications: adaptive optics, electro-optical devices, films, lasers, photovoltaics, privacy windows, skin cleansers and soaps, and thermometers. The striking images of liquid crystals changing color under polarized lighting conditions are even on display in many museums and art galleries – true examples of 'science meeting art'. Although liquid crystals provide us with visually stunning displays, fascinating applications, and are a rich and fruitful source of interdisciplinary research, their full potential may yet remain untapped.

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Open microfluidics, the study of microflows having a boundary with surrounding air, encompasses different aspects such as paper or thread-based microfluidics, droplet microfluidics and open-channel microfluidics. Open-channel microflow is a flow at the micro-scale, guided by solid structures, and having at least a free boundary (with air or vapor) other than the advancing meniscus. This book is devoted to the study of open-channel microfluidics which (contrary to paper or thread or droplet microfluidics) is still very sparsely documented, but bears many new applications in biology, biotechnology, medicine, material and space sciences. Capillarity being the principal force triggering an open microflow, the principles of capillarity are first recalled. The onset of open-channel microflow is next analyzed and the fundamental notion of generalized Cassie angle (the apparent contact angle which accounts for the presence of air) is presented. The theory of the dynamics of open-channel microflows is then developed, using the notion of averaged friction length which accounts for the presence of air along the boundaries of the flow domain. Different channel morphologies are studied and geometrical features such as valves and capillary pumps are examined. An introduction to two-phase open-channel microflows is also presented showing that immiscible plugs can be transported by an open-channel flow. Finally, a selection of interesting applications in the domains of space, materials, medicine and biology is presented, showing the potentialities of open-channel microfluidics.

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The Outside the Research Lab series is a testament to the fact that the physics taught to high school and university students IS used in the real world. This book explores the physics and technology inherent to a selection of sports which have caught the author's attention and fascination over the years. Outside the Research Lab, Volume 3 is a path to discovering how less commonly watched sports use physics to optimize performance, diagnose injuries, and increase access to more competitors. It covers Olympic and Paralympic fencing, show jumping horses, and arguably the most brutal of motorsports – drag racing. Stunning images throughout the book and clear, understandable writing are supplemented by offset detail boxes which take the physics concepts to higher levels. Outside the Research Lab, Volume 3 is both for the general interest reader and students in STEM. Lecturers in university physics, materials science, engineering and other sciences will find this an excellent basis for teaching undergraduate students the range of applications for the physics they are learning. There is a vast range of different areas that require expertise in physics…this third volume of Outside the Research Lab shows a few with great detail provided by professionals doing the work.

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Asian studies and Physics is a unique blend rarely found in a Western scientific classroom. The field of Asian studies is rapidly growing and the traditional study of Asian philosophy, art, language and literature is branching out into scientific realms. At the same time, there is a growing need to educate our young people in science technology and mathematics (STEM). Reaching non-science majors with the basic principles of physics presents a particularly unique challenge. The topics presented in this work are designed to appeal to a wide range of students and present scientific principles through the technology and inventions of ancient China. We explore these ideas in their historical Chinese context and through the lens of our current scientific understanding. Our exploration of ancient Chinese science is not limited to just a theoretical understanding of physical principles. One distinction of this book is the strong «hands on» component. Detailed laboratory experiments are included which enable students to analyze ancient technology using modern laboratory techniques. Each experiment introduces the historical context and provides associated Chinese vocabulary. On the surface, these experiments involve recreating a Chinese technology. On a deeper level, we find connections to the scientific method and techniques of experimental analysis. Thus, an activity such as making paper, turns into a lesson on statistics and graphical analysis. Topics included in this volume cover one dimensional motion, energy conservation, rotational equilibrium and elasticity. We also explore the nature of science and include an introduction to the Chinese language. Laboratory experiments cover papermaking, constructing a weighing balance and stress-strain analysis of silk.

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