50 Science Ideas You Really Need to Know

50 Science Ideas You Really Need to Know is your guide to the biggest questions and deepest concepts from across the whole of science. What was the Big Bang? How did life on Earth arise? What does quantum mechanics tell us about the universe? Is true artificial intelligence possible? And does life exist on other planets?

Moving from the basics of atoms and molecules, Newton's laws of physics and the building blocks of life to the cutting edge of nanotechnology, Einstein's theories of relativity and cloning, this book makes the many worlds of science accessible and illuminating. Featuring fifty concise, insightful and illustrated essays covering physics and astronomy, Earth and life sciences, chemistry and materials, psychology and computing, and exploring the ways they connect with each other and impact on our lives, 50 Science Ideas You Really Need to Know is the ideal introduction to the questions which fascinate us all.

GAIL DIXON is a journalist and editor with many years' experience. She has worked as a commissioning editor for BBC Focus and is a regular contributor to Who Do You Think You Are? magazine. She is co-author, with Paul Parsons, of The Periodic Table, which became a number 1 Amazon bestseller. Dr Paul Parsons is a regular contributor to Nature, New Scientist and the Daily Telegraph. He frequently appears on BBC radio and his television credits include Richard & Judy and BBC Breakfast. He was formerly editor of the BBC's award-winning science and technology magazine Focus. The Science of Doctor Who (Icon Books), was longlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. His latest book is Science 1001 published by Quercus.