Reflections on Symmetry: In Chemistry ... Elsewhere - Hardcover

Heilbronner, Edgar; Dunitz, Jack D.; Dunitz, J. D.; Heilbronner, E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3527284885 ISBN 13: 9783527284887

Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 1992

Synopsis

What do Schrödinger's wave functions, Escher's intricate tiling patterns and chemistry's latest marvel, buckminsterfullerene, have in common?

This stunning book, written by two world-famous scientists, introduces the reader to one of nature's most fundamental, and ubiquitous, phenomena: Symmetry.

Enormous in scope, this scientific tour-de-force covers topics as diverse as quantum mechanics, stereochemistry, Penrose tilings and Raphael's Madonna. The authors connect these apparently unrelated fields in a completely non-mathematical fashion, which should appeal to the general and specialist reader alike.

Lucidly written and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an eminently readable discussion of the omnipresent concept of symmetry, its application in all branches of science, and its perception in nature, art and elsewhere.

About this title

From the Publisher:

This stunning book, written by two world-famous scientists, introduces the reader to one of nature's fundamental, and ubiquitous, phenomena: Symmetry. Enormous in scope, this scientific tour-de-force covers topics as diverse as quantum mechanics, stereochemistry, Penrose tilings and Raphael's Madonna. The authors connect these apparently unrelated fields in a completely non-mathematical fashion, which should appeal to the general and specialist reader alike. Lucidly written and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an eminently readable discussion of the omnipresent concept of symmetry, its application in all branches of science, and its perception in nature, art and elsewhere.

From the Back Cover:

What, another book on symmetry! Are there not enough already? Yes, but this book differs from the others. It is neither a textbook loaded with mathematical jargon nor a birds-eye view of the various aspects of symmetry that can be found in art, science, and everyday life. Not too serious, not entirely frivolous, it is something in between. This may bring its own dangers, and the authors are well aware how difficult it is to steer a secure course between the Scylla of irresponsible superficiality and the Charybdis of unintelligible jargon. A special feature of the book are the illustrations, many of historical interest, taken from early sources, and others prepared specifically to clarify and illuminate the text.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 3527284885
• ISBN 13: 9783527284887
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160