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  3. Reasoning about Luck
  • Cited by 12
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      05 June 2012
      13 July 1996
      ISBN:
      9781139170581
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139170581
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      • Subjects:
      Physics and Astronomy, Statistical Physics
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    Subjects:
    Physics and Astronomy, Statistical Physics
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    Book description

    This book introduces the reader to statistical reasoning and its use in physics. It is based on a course taught to non-science majors at Cornell, and differs from other treatments by its wide-ranging use of quantitative methods, which are built up in a constructive way and assume only that the reader can add, subtract, multiply and divide with confidence. The author begins with a self-contained introduction to the everyday uses of probability, including the quantitative assessment of statistical information. Following a chapter on useful mathematical concepts, he develops the basic ideas of mechanical motion, the molecular theory of gases, entropy as a measure of molecular agitation, limitations on the conversion of heat to work, the physics of the direction of time, chaos, and the role of probability in quantum mechanics. To aid self-instruction, there are solved problems at the end of each chapter.

    Reviews

    ‘Reasoning about Luck uses no mathematics beyond basic algebra and geometry. It is unusually well written, and the author’s dry sense of humour considerably increased my pleasure in reading it … would be a superb choice for an upper-division honors seminar aimed at students from all the sciences or as supplementary reading in an undergraduate course in modern physics … In thinking carefully about the minimum knowledge of physics that an educated citizen should have, Ambegaokar has made a real contribution to the discussion. In addition, he has produced a thoroughly enjoyable physics book.’

    Source: Ruth Howes Physics Today

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