Roller Coasters, Rockets & Computers Plus the Odd Space Elevator - Softcover

Ian East

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0956540996 ISBN 13: 9780956540997

Publisher: Open Channel Publishing Ltd., 2016

Synopsis

This book brings Year/Grade 11-13 (A-Level) physics and mathematics together in the context of technology that may inspire or excite the young. In so doing, it provides a wealth of valuable material for tutors and students of physics, maths and computer science (OCR, CIE, AQA, Edexcel). Applications in mechanics include roller coaster design, the Rocket Equation and the orbital tower, or "space elevator". Radiative equilibrium between Earth and Sun is explored, along with the "greenhouse effect" and the influence of weather on surface temperature. A mathematical appendix is added to explain all required mathematics beyond GCSE, including incommensurability and irrational numbers, the origin of Euler's number e , differentiation of polynomials and logarithms, and integration. The second half of the book is devoted to the nature, origins and construction of the digital computer, from mere switches via registers and arithmetic logic (including 'look-ahead' carry).

About this title

About the Author

Ian East began his career as an Engineering Physicist in the defence industry before returning to university to gain a Ph.D. in physics from Imperial College, London, in 1983. He then continued as a University Lecturer in physics, and later computing, in diverse institutions over the next twenty-five years, publishing two textbooks and around thirty papers. He has also served as a consultant and contractor to commercial and military institutions. Ian now spends his time writing, publishing and implementing his own programming language, Honeysuckle, when not flying gliders or home-built radio-controlled planes. He lives with his wife, two sons and a large sleepy Labrador near Oxford.

Edition details

• Publisher: Open Channel Publishing Ltd.
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0956540996
• ISBN 13: 9780956540997
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152