e-branch	Login My List - 0 Help
	Home   My Account/Renew Loans   Community Info   KidSearch   New Catalogue!

Search Advanced By Format By Number My Searches Can't Find it? Find Magazine Articles & more Problems?

Search:  Title Starts with...Title Keyword(s)Author/Performer/Name (Last,First)Author/Performer/Name Keyword(s)Subject Starts with...Subject Keyword(s)Series Starts with...Series Keyword(s)Anyword/AnywhereList Name Keyword(s)       Refine Search     > You're searching: Halifax Public Libraries

Item Information   Copy / Holding Information     Choice Review     Table of Contents     More Content       More by this author     Adler, Charles L.     Subjects     Science fiction -- History and criticism.     Speculative fiction -- History and criticism.     Fantasy literature -- History and criticism.     Physics in literature.     Mathematics in literature.     Physics -- Miscellanea.     Mathematics -- Miscellanea.     Browse Catalog     by author:      Adler, Charles L.       by title:      Wizards, aliens, and...       by call number:      809.38762 A237w     Search the Web     Adler, Charles L.     Science fiction -- History and criticism.     Speculative fiction -- History and criticism.     Fantasy literature -- History and criticism.     Physics in literature.     Mathematics in literature.     Physics -- Miscellanea.     Mathematics -- Miscellanea.       MARC Display

Wizards, aliens, and starships : physics and math in fantasy and science fiction / Charles L. Adler. by Adler, Charles L. Princeton University Press, [2014] Call #: 809.38762 A237w Subjects Science fiction -- History and criticism.   Speculative fiction -- History and criticism.   Fantasy literature -- History and criticism.   Physics in literature.   Mathematics in literature.   Physics -- Miscellanea.   Mathematics -- Miscellanea. ISBN:  9780691147154 (hc.) Alternate title:  Physics and math in fantasy and science fiction Description:  xi, 378 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. Notes:  Licensed for access by U. of T. users. Bibliography:  Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-369) and index. Contents:  Playing the Game -- I. Potter Physics -- Harry Potter and the Great Conservation Laws -- Why Hogwarts is So Dark -- Fantastic Beasts and How to Disprove Them -- II. Space Travel -- Why Computers Get Better and Cars Can't (Much) -- Vacations in Space -- Space Colonies -- The Space Elevator -- Manned Interplanetary Travel -- Advanced Propulsion Systems -- Speculative Propulsion Systems -- Interstellar Travel and Relativity -- Faster Than Light Travel and Time Travel -- III. Worlds and Aliens -- Designing a Habitable Planet -- The Scientific Search for Spock -- The Mathematics of Talking with Aliens -- IV. Year Googol -- The Short-term Survival of Humanity -- World-Building -- Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds -- Advanced Civilizations and the Kardashev Scale -- A Googol Years. Summary:  "From teleportation and space elevators to alien contact and interstellar travel, science fiction and fantasy writers have come up with some brilliant and innovative ideas. Yet how plausible are these ideas--for instance, could Mr. Weasley's flying car in Harry Potter really exist? Which concepts might actually happen--and which ones wouldn't work at all? Wizards, Aliens, and Starships delves into the most extraordinary details in science fiction and fantasy--such as time warps, shape changing, rocket launches, and illumination by floating candle--and shows readers the physics and math behind the phenomena. With simple mathematical models, and in most cases using no more than high school algebra, Charles Adler ranges across a plethora of remarkable imaginings, from the works of Ursula K. Le Guin to Star Trek and Avatar, to explore what might become reality. Adler explains why fantasy in the Harry Potter and Dresden Files novels cannot adhere strictly to scientific laws, and when magic might make scientific sense in the muggle world. He examines space travel and wonders why it isn't cheaper and more common today. Adler also discusses exoplanets and how the search for alien life has shifted from radio communications to space-based telescopes. He concludes by investigating the future survival of humanity and other intelligent races. Throughout, he cites an abundance of science fiction and fantasy authors, and includes concise descriptions of stories as well as a glossary of science terms. Wizards, Aliens, and Starships will speak to anyone wanting to know about the correct--and incorrect--science of science fiction and fantasy"--From publisher. Holds:  0   Copy/Holding information Location Collection Call No. Item type Status   Central Library Adult Nonfiction 809.38762 A237w Adult books Checked in Add Copy to MyList

Horizon Information Portal 3.24_8902M

© 2001-2013 SirsiDynix All rights reserved.