Science and Society: Understanding Scientific Methodology, Energy, Climate, and Sustainability

This undergraduate textbook educates non-science majors—our future policy makers—on how science works, the rules that underpin our existence, our impact on nature, and nature's impact on us. The book provides a concise, historically based, non-mathematical treatment of modern physics relevant to societal issues. It challenges readers to examine the problems we face (and their own beliefs) in light of the scientific method.

In this new edition, a large volume of material has been revised and updated, including expanded discussions on climate change, electric vehicles, and future energy sources. It contains additional new end-of-chapter problems as well as an interactive module that seeks to reduce endorsement of pseudoscience and conspiratorial beliefs by promoting critical thinking, scientific literacy, and effective self-reflection. With a narrative structure, Science and Society, 2nd Edition explains the scientific process and the power it brings to dealing with the natural world. The reader will gain a deeper understanding of scientific results reported by the media, and thus the tools to develop a rational, fact-based assessment of energy and resource policy.

Praise for Science and Society:

"Anyone who thinks society can be managed without science should think again, or better: read this book. The authors explain how science permeates society, and with simple examples of the scientific process they show its special power in dealing with the natural world. This is a must read for the world's seven billion scientists."

F.E. Close, OBE, Oxford University, author of, among others, "Half-Life: The Divided Life of Bruno Pontecorvo, Physicist or Spy", "The Infinity Puzzle", and "Neutrino"

Dr. Eric Swanson is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. He has published more than 100 papers on theoretical hadronic physics, condensed matter physics, and biophysics. Dr. Swanson is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and is a founder of the APS Topical Group on Hadronic Physics. He has been a visiting scientist at Oxford University, TRIUMF in British Columbia, Jefferson Lab in Virginia, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Dr. Melanie Good is a Teaching Associate Professor and Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh. Melanie has published numerous papers in the areas of physics education research and observational astronomy, and is the recipient of awards for teaching excellence and innovative course transformations. She has appeared multiple times on television as a guest expert, in documentaries on space exploration and astronomy, and produced a series of instructional videos for Wiley’s acclaimed introductory physics textbook.