The counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics have been for long illustrated by thought experiments, from Einstein's photon box to Schródinger's... cat. These experiments have now become real, with single particles--electrons, atoms or photons--directly unveiling the weird features of the quantum. State superpositions, entanglement and complementarity define a novel quantum logic which can be harnessed for information processing, raising great hopes for applications. This book describes a class of such thought experiments made real. Juggling with atoms and photons confined in cavities, ions or cold atoms in traps, is here an incentive to shed a new light on the basic concepts of quantum physics. Measurement processes and decoherence at the quantum-classical boundary are highlighted. This volume, which combines theory and experiments, will be of interest to students in quantum physics, teachers seeking illustrations for their lectures and new problem sets, researchers in quantum optics and quantum information.

From their grade school classrooms forward, students of science are encouraged to memorize and adhere to the “scientific method”—a model of... inquiry consisting of five to seven neatly laid-out steps, often in the form of a flowchart. But walk into the office of a theoretical physicist or the laboratory of a biochemist and ask “Which step are you on?” and you will likely receive a blank stare. This is not how science works. But science does work, and here award-winning teacher and scholar Steven Gimbel provides students the tools to answer for themselves this question: What actually is the scientific method?           Exploring the Scientific Method pairs classic and contemporary readings in the philosophy of science with milestones in scientific discovery to illustrate the foundational issues underlying scientific methodology. Students are asked to select one of nine possible fields—astronomy, physics, chemistry, genetics, evolutionary biology, psychology, sociology, economics, or geology—and through carefully crafted case studies trace its historical progression, all while evaluating whether scientific practice in each case reflects the methodological claims of the philosophers. This approach allows students to see the philosophy of science in action and to determine for themselves what scientists do and how they ought to do it.            Exploring the Scientific Method will be a welcome resource to introductory science courses and all courses in the history and philosophy of science.        

While all languages can achieve the same basic communicative ends, they each use different means to achieve them, particularly in the divergent ways... that syntax, semantics and pragmatics interact across languages. Written within the framework of Role and Reference Grammar, which proposes a set of rules to link semantic and syntactic relations to each other, this book discusses in detail how structure, meaning, and communicative function interact in human languages. Clearly written and comprehensive, it will be welcomed by all those working on the interface between syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

Socio-rhetorical criticism has established itself as one of the promising new methods of biblical study today. Vernon K. Robbins here provides an... accessible introduction to socio-rhetorical criticism, illustrating the method by guiding the reader through the study of specific New Testament texts and stories.An opening chapter outlines this new approach and its focus on values, convictions, and beliefs both in the texts we read and in the world in which we live. Then follow chapters on getting inside a text (inner texture), that is, studying the internal aspects of words and meanings in the text: entering the interactive world of the test (intertexture,), that is relating the text being interpreted to a wide range of phenomena that lie outside the text: living with the text in the world (social and cultural texture), that is, examining the social and cultural locations in the world that the language of the text evokes: and shared interests in commentary and in the text (ideological texture), that is, looking at the way the text itself and interpreters of the text position themselves in relation to other individuals and groups.Texts studied include the rich man and Jesus in Mark 10:17-22 (inner texture): the Pentecost event in Acts 2 (intertexture): the woman who anointed Jesus in Luke 7:36-50 and John 9 (social and cultural texture): the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 and “women keep silent” in 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40 (ideological texture).Vernon K. Robbins is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion, Emory University, and the author of Ancient Quotes and Anecdotes: From Crib to Crypt and The Rhetoric of Pronouncement.

Applied Discrete Structures is a two semester undergraduate text in discrete mathematics, focusing on the structural properties of mathematical objects.... These include matrices, functions, graphs, trees, lattices and algebraic structures. The algebraic structures that are discussed are monoids, groups, rings, fields and vector spaces.

Authored by accomplished urban geographers and GIS experts, Exploring the Urban Community: A GIS Approach leverages the modern geographer’s toolset,... employing the latest GIS methodology to the study of urban geography. The Second Edition expands upon this timely, applied approach by incorporating new “internet GIS” Google Earth™ activities, which do not require students to own expensive software or travel to a school lab. New exercises are also provided for ArcGIS 9.3 and 10, the latest version of the industry-dominant software. Coupled with current examples and applications from around the world, including a greater focus on India and China, Exploring the Urban Community presents an engaging and uniquely hands-on applied approach to the study of urban geography.

This text teaches students how to create a business plan. The text takes the student through many real-life examples and exercises demonstrating in... detail the process of writing a business plan. Throughout the text the examples will be drawn from product type companies, service companies and retailers, covering the majority of issues that are unique to each of these industries.

Exploring the World Ocean presents oceanography as a systems science, aimed at understanding the world ocean as a single, interdependent system of... interacting geological, physical, chemical and biological processes. The text also emphasizes the idea that ocean science is an ongoing process, dependent upon cutting-edge technology and research. Students are encouraged to take an active role in learning by exploring scientific ideas, data, and alternative ways of thinking as they view ocean science through the eyes of oceanographers.

Exploring the World Ocean presents oceanography as a systems science, aimed at understanding the world ocean as a single, interdependent system of... interacting geological, physical, chemical and biological processes. The text also emphasizes the idea that ocean science is an ongoing process, dependent upon cutting-edge technology and research. Students are encouraged to take an active role in learning by exploring scientific ideas, data, and alternative ways of thinking as they view ocean science through the eyes of oceanographers.

Math doesn’t have to be difficult, and John Tiner shows that it can actually be fun. Students of different ages and skill levels can use this... fascinating book. Intended as a supplement to a homeschool curriculum, it’s more than just a math book. Tracing the history of mathematics principles and theory, it includes stories and tips showing math to be practical for everyday use. It also uses many examples of mathematics from the Bible and explains the timekeeping methods used in biblical times. Included are: • Basic mathematical principles including some simple algebra, geometry, and scientific math • Egyptian and Greek contributions to mathematics • Math involving time, the seasons, and measurement • Lots of fun activities illustrating mathematical principles • Chapter tests (answers included in back) • Over 150 illustrations and diagrams

What does worship look like? Is there just one truly right way to worship? Are there any wrong ways? To what extent should our unity as believers... manifest itself in unified public worship? Sadly, disagreement over how we should worship our loving God has sparked some most unloving attitudes among Christians. Exploring the Worship Spectrum seeks to correct this. It provides a forum for presentation, critique, and defense of six prominent worship styles: *Formal-Liturgical -- Paul Zahl *Traditional Hymn-Based -- Harold Best *Contemporary Music-Driven -- Joe Horness *Charismatic -- Don Williams *Blended -- Robert Webber *Emerging -- Sally Morgenthaler This unique format allows those with a heart for worship to compare different perspectives and draw their own conclusions on what the Bible teaches. It engages the reader's faculties of critical thinking in a way that allows him or her to understand the various approaches to worship, carefully evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and make personal choices without adopting a judgmental spirit. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address three categories: Church Life, Exploring Theology, and Engaging Culture. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.

Capturing the excitement and accomplishments of X-ray astronomy, this second edition now includes a broader range of astronomical phenomena and dramatic... new results from the most powerful X-ray telescopes. Covering all areas of astronomical research, ranging from the smallest to the largest objects, from neutron stars to clusters of galaxies, this textbook is ideal for undergraduate students. Each chapter starts with the basic aspects of the topic, explores the history of discoveries, and examines in detail modern observations and their significance. This new edition has been updated with results from the most recent space-based instruments, including ROSAT, BeppoSAX, ASCA, Chandra, and XMM. New chapters cover X-ray emission processes, the interstellar medium, the Solar System, and gamma-ray bursts. The text is supported by over 300 figures, with tables listing the properties of the sources, and more specialized technical points separated in boxes.