The Seven Measures of the World, Piero Martin
The Seven Measures of the World, Piero Martin
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The Seven Measures of the World

Author: Piero Martin, Gregory Conti

Narrator: Michael Langan

Unabridged: 6 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/17/2023


Synopsis

From the beginning of history, measurement has been interwoven into the human experience, shaping our understanding of nature, personal relationships, and the supernatural. We measure the world to know our past, comprehend the present, and plan the future.

Renowned physicist Piero Martin explores how scientific knowledge is built around seven key pillars of measurement: the meter for length; the second for time; the kilogram for mass; the kelvin for temperature; the ampere for electricity; the mole for quantity of substance; and the candela for luminous intensity. Martin examines the history and function of these units and illustrates their applications in rich vignettes on a range of topics—from quarks to black holes, from a glass of wine to space exploration. He delves into not only the all-important numbers but also anecdotes that underline each unit's special quality. At the same time, he explains how each unit contributes to important aspects of science, from classical physics to quantum mechanics, from relativity to chemistry, from cosmology to elementary particle physics, and from medicine to modern technology. Martin eloquently shows how the entire universe can be measured and understood using just seven units.

About Piero Martin

Piero Martin is professor of experimental physics at the University of Padua and a science writer. He carries out research on thermonuclear fusion and is chief physicist of the international DTT fusion experiment. He lives in Venice, Italy.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Antonio on November 22, 2022

Un bel viaggio nella storia delle unità di misura; naturalmente generico, ma non superficiale: occorrerebbe un libro intero per ciascuna unità :) Stile discorsivo, piacevole. Molto ben documentato. I commenti sociologici inseriti qui e là e a fine libro fanno giustamente riflettere.......more

Goodreads review by Nuria on December 04, 2024

A recomendación de un amigo me zambullí en este libro con muchas ganas, ambos teníamos ganas de leer un poco de divulgación científica (dos físicos graduados que llevan tiempo sin acariciar la ciencia). Los primeros capítulos (el segundo, el metro y el kilogramo) son los más interesantes tanto en co......more

Goodreads review by David Winslow on January 05, 2024

Ugh. Trying this review a second time… I like “origin story” books. Like the history of and impact of daily, common things, like salt, or rust or sand. This book has those stories, but sometimes lost in side stories and opinions. Some cool stuff. Interesting, but sometimes off track to the purpose.......more

Goodreads review by Matteo on August 16, 2023

Chiarezza espositiva e ricerca storica fanno da filo conduttore ad una lectio magistralis sulle 7 misure fondamentali della fisica. Gli excursus storici sulla grande guerra e gli aneddoti sulla vita dei più importanti fisici della storia sono un valore aggiunto che arricchisce la conoscenza rispetto......more

Goodreads review by Daoud on January 19, 2023

Eines der spannendsten Bücher, das ich je gelesen habe. Zu der Kategorie gehörend, als einmal in die Hand genommen, man es mit Mühen weglegt, um sich auf das Weiterlesen zu freuen, um dann umso trauriger zu werden, je weniger Seiten übrigbleiben. Zum Inhalt: Ein Buch über die theoretische Mathematik......more