Introduction

The advancements in society are intertwined with the advancements in science. To understand how changes in society occurred, and will continue to change, one has to have a basic understanding of the laws of physics and chemistry.

About the Book

Physical Chemistry: Multidisciplinary Applications in Society examines how the laws of physics and chemistry (physical chemistry) explain the dynamic nature of the Universe and events on Earth, and how these events affect the evolution of society (multidisciplinary applications).

Chapter Organization

The ordering of the chapters reflects the natural flow of events in an evolving Universe: Philosophy of Science, the basis of the view that natural events have natural causes - Cosmology, the origin of everything from the Big Bang to the current state of the Universe - Geoscience, the physics and chemistry behind the evolution of the planet Earth from its birth to the present - Life Science, the molecules and mechanisms of life on Earth - Ecology, the interdependence of all components within the Ecosphere and the Universe - Information Content, emphasis on how words and phrases and framing of issues affect opinions, reliability of sources, and the limitations of knowledge.

Key Themes

Addresses the four Ws of science: Why scientists believe Nature works the way it does, Who helped develop the fields of science, What theories of natural processes tell us about the nature of Nature, and Where our scientific knowledge is taking us into the future.

Gives a historical review of the evolution of science, and the accompanying changes in the philosophy of how science views the nature of the Universe.

Explores the physics and chemistry of Nature with minimal reliance on mathematics.

Examines the structure and dynamics of the Universe and our Home Planet Earth.

Provides a detailed analysis of how humans, as members of the Ecosphere, have influenced, and are continuing to influence, the dynamics of events on the paludarium called Earth.

Presents underlying science of current political issues that shape the future of humankind.

Emphasizes how words and phrases and framing of issues can influence the opinions of members of society.

Makes extensive use of metaphors and everyday experiences to illustrate principles in science and social interactions.