Physics of Societal Issues: Calculations on National Security, Environment, and Energy

by David Hafemeister

Overview

Physics of Societal Issues is a textbook for all those who wish to discuss the fundamental issues of energy use, nuclear weapons, and the environment using facts and figures instead of slogans and postures. It deals with national security, the environment, and energy policy, providing the reader with the tools and insights needed to analyze many complex issues with insights gained from informed estimates and simple calculations.

It is the only equation-oriented book for physics seniors and gradutate students that covers the three main physics and society issues.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441930569
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	10/29/2010
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2007
Pages:	487
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.05(d)

About the Author

David Hafemeister is Professor (emeritus) of Physics at California Polytechnic State University. He has also had an impressive career in Washington as a Professional Staff Member:

Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Governmental Affairs (1990-93 on arms control treaties at the end of the Cold War)

Science Advisor to Senator John Glenn (19775-77)

Special Assistant to Under Secretary of State Benson and Deputy Under-Secretary Nye (1977-78)

Visiting Scientist in the State Department’s Office of Nuclear Proliferation Policy (1979)

Office of Strategic Nuclear Policy (1987)

Study Director at the National Academy of Sciences (2000-02)

He has edited nine books, published more than 140 articles and was awarded the APS Szilard award in 1996.

Table of Contents

Part I: National Security - 1 - Nuclear Weapons / 2 - The Offense: Missiles and War Games / 3 - The Defense: ABM/SDI/BMD/NMD / 4 - Verification and Arms Control Treaties / 5 - Nuclear Proliferation Part II: Environment - 6 - Air and Water Pollution / 7 - Radioactive Pollution / 8 - Climate Change / 9 - EM-Fields and Epidemiology Part III: Energy 10 - The Energy Situation / 11 - Energy in Buildings / 12 - Solar Buildings / 13 - Renewable Energy / 14 - Enhanced-End-Use Efficiency / 15 - Transportation / 16 - Energy Economics Appendices: A. Nuclear Arms Chronology / B. Energy/Environment Chronology / C. Units / D. WWW Sites / E. Symbols / F. Glossary / G. Index

Editorial Reviews

Aus den Rezensionen:

"… Dieses 500-seitige Kompendium voller Gleichungen, Zahlen und Tabellen behandelt in drei getrennten Sektionen … Dem Autor gelingt es, zentrale gesellschaftliche Fragen mit der Anwendung physikalischer Formeln zu durchdringen. … Mathematisch vorausgesetzt werden solide Kenntnisse eines naturwissenschaftlichen Grundstudiums. … Das Werk sollte in keiner Bibliothek oder auf keiner Literaturliste von Seminaren fehlen, welche die genannten Problemfelder behandeln …" (Dr. Götz Neuneck, in: Physik Journal, 2008, Vol. 7, Issue 4, S. 50)

From the Publisher