The Nature of Matter: Understanding the Physical World
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The Nature of Matter: Understanding the Physical World
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Narrated by:
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David W. Ball
About this listen
Matter is the raw material of the universe. Discover how the immense variety of matter - stars, mountains, plants, people - is generated by a limited number of chemical elements that combine in simple, well-defined ways. Consider carbon, a relatively common atom with many faces: diamond, which is the hardest known mineral; graphite, which is among the softest known substances; and carbon nanotubes, which are 300 times stronger than steel and have remarkable electrical properties.
In the 24 engaging lectures of The Nature of Matter, no scientific background is needed to appreciate such miracles of everyday life as a bouncing rubber ball or water's astonishing power to dissolve. Moreover, the study of matter has led directly to such inventions as semiconductor circuits for computers, new fabrics for clothes, and powerful adhesives for medicine and industry. These discoveries were hard won by scientific sleuths, but we can all sit back and enjoy the details - just as we delight in the solution to a good detective story. Since prehistoric times, knowledge of materials has driven the development of civilization. The Stone Age was succeeded by the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Industrial Age, and now the age of silicon - the element that is the basis of the semiconductor revolution.
Where will new methods and materials take us next? Professor Ball notes that the "fun part about being a chemist is that we still have lots of combinations of these raw materials to explore". Join this outstanding teacher and researcher on this exciting journey of discovery into the substance of everyday life.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2015 The Great Courses (P)2015 The Teaching Company, LLCListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Nature of Matter: Understanding the Physical World
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- MrDan
- 18-04-22
so very interesting, brilliantly delivered.
listen again and again. you'll remember another gripping fact about the universe and what makes it tick.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JB
- 16-09-22
Informative and engaging
There was so much in this book that was beyond my pay grade but it was truly fascinating and well worth the effort to get through it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-09-20
Brilliant listen! Ive leaent a lot
As a student learning about health sciences this has given me the footing in knowledge to understand the basics in my course. I am inspired and i have learned a lot thankyou
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- luke goatcher
- 07-08-16
Great book goes into some detail in most areas
Good book would highly recommend. One of the better great courses narrators/lecturers. Hope there are more like this
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Huw Shelton
- 16-08-17
Excellent entry into the world of physics
A great introduction that left me wanting more. Fortunately, there are dozens of additional courses. Recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Barbara Z.
- 04-03-24
Very interesting but sometimes difficult to follow
I won’t lie - as a non-physicist I did not understand everything but these parts that I did were very interesting, especially diamonds and surfaces.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Igor Zeds
- 11-01-19
No SI units
Be prepared to deal with Fahrenheit, feet, pounds, etc. Otherwise, it's good enough. Transition music is low key and no clapping, which is always a bonus.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Phil A
- 21-06-17
Give Yourself a Materials Science Refresher
If you are science student or just a person with an interest in "techy" things then you will like this. Its very informative, sometimes in a "broad brush" and sometimes with little details you'd need in an exam. And I really enjoyed the book!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- D B.
- 16-09-18
Incredible
Have read this book 10 times and keep going back for more. The concepts bring your everyday life into the chemical and physalis realms of science. It is just magical.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- massimiliano balsamo
- 17-01-19
nice chemistry physics primer
a good overview on chemistry and physics. I'm coming form electrical engineering background so i dove in the subjects years ago.. I found a good refresher. note that is not using SI units but imperials so the few phisical properties reported are misleading if you are not used
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3 people found this helpful