The laws of conservation of energy and momentum are among the most important and useful principles in physics. Despite their fundamental nature, conservation laws are often difficult to observe in ordinary experiences. This book illustrates these principles, taking examples from mechanics, optics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics and medicine. For instance, the functioning of solar cells, infrared detectors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is explained by applying the energy-momentum conservation laws to light interaction with semiconductors.
The book is divided into eight chapters, which cover interesting topics such as computer-assisted X-ray tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), jet propulsion of a rocket and an octopus, transformation of chemical energy into mechanical work in muscles and in internal combustion engines, usage of light energy by plants, and more.
The book is useful to physics teachers, as well as for undergraduate science and engineering students and, in general, to those who love physics.
Review by Reva Garg, Institute of Physics, University of Brasilia, Brazil
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or its publisher, Optica (formerly OSA).