Encyclopedia of Scientific Principles, Laws, and Theories [2 volumes]

Book excerpt: What is a scientific theory? How is it different from a law or a principle? And what practical use is it? Science students, especially those new to studying the sciences, ask these questions everyday about these essential parts of a science education. To support these students, the Encyclopedia of Scientific Principles, Laws, and Principles is designed to be an easy-to-understand, accessible, and accurate description of the most famous scientific concepts, principles, laws, and theories that are known in the areas of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, medicine, meteorology, and physics. The encyclopedia contributes to the scientific literacy of students and the general public by providing them with a comprehensive, but not overwhelming source of those scientific concepts, principles, laws and theories that impact every facet of their daily lives. The Encyclopedia of Scientific Principles, Laws, and Theories includes several hundred entries. For ease of use, entries are arranged alphabetically by the names of the men or women who are best-known for their discovery or development or after whom the particular scientific law or theory is named. Entries include a short biography of the main discoverers, as well as any information that was of particular relevance in the evolution of the scientific topic. The encyclopedia includes sidebars and examples of the usefulness of the theories, principles, and laws in everyday life, demonstrating that understanding these concepts have practical use. Each entry also includes resources for further research, and the encyclopedia includes a general bibliography of particularly useful primary and secondary source materials.