A Dictionary of Physics

Now with over 4,000 entries, this new eighth edition has been fully updated to reflect progress in physics and related fields. It sees expansion to the areas of cosmology, astrophysics, condensed matter, quantum technology, and nanotechnology, with 125 new entries including Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, kilonova, leptoquark, and muscovium. The dictionary's range of appendices, updated for the new edition, includes the periodic table, the electromagnetic spectrum, and a detailed chronology of key dates. 15 new diagrams add to the clarity and accessibility of the text, with 150 line drawings, tables, and graphs in total, and many entries contain recommended web links. This popular dictionary remains the most up-to-date of its kind: the essential introductory reference tool for students encountering physics terms and concepts, as well as for professionals and anyone with an interest in the subject.

Richard Rennie, BSc, MSc, PhD has conducted research at the Universities of Aberdeen, Oxford, Cambridge, and California, Santa Barbara. His main interest is in the theory of the structure of matter. He has written a number of articles and reviews. He has contributed to several other reference books, including the Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry. He wrote the Facts on File Dictionary of Atomic and Nuclear Physics which was published in 2003. He has taught mathematics, physics, and chemistry at various Sixth Form Colleges and is a Senior Invigilator for the University of Cambridge.