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    Wizards, aliens, and starships : physics and math in fantasy and science fiction / Charles L. Adler.

    • Title:Wizards, aliens, and starships : physics and math in fantasy and science fiction / Charles L. Adler.
    •    
    • Author/Creator:Adler, Charles L., author.
    • Published/Created:Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2014]
    • Holdings

       
    • Library of Congress Subjects:Fantasy literature--History and criticism.
      Science fiction--History and criticism.
      Physics in literature.
      Mathematics in literature.
      Physics--Miscellanea.
      Mathematics--Miscellanea.
    • Description:xi, 378 pages ; 24 cm
    • Summary:"From teleportation and space elevators to alien contact and interstellar travel, science fiction and fantasy writers have come up with some brilliant and innovative ideas. Yet how plausible are these ideas--for instance, could Mr. Weasley's flying car in Harry Potter really exist? Which concepts might actually happen--and which ones wouldn't work at all? Wizards, Aliens, and Starships delves into the most extraordinary details in science fiction and fantasy--such as time warps, shape changing, rocket launches, and illumination by floating candle--and shows readers the physics and math behind the phenomena. With simple mathematical models, and in most cases using no more than high school algebra, Charles Adler ranges across a plethora of remarkable imaginings, from the works of Ursula K. Le Guin to Star Trek and Avatar, to explore what might become reality. Adler explains why fantasy in the Harry Potter and Dresden Files novels cannot adhere strictly to scientific laws, and when magic might make scientific sense in the muggle world. He examines space travel and wonders why it isn't cheaper and more common today. Adler also discusses exoplanets and how the search for alien life has shifted from radio communications to space-based telescopes. He concludes by investigating the future survival of humanity and other intelligent races. Throughout, he cites an abundance of science fiction and fantasy authors, and includes concise descriptions of stories as well as a glossary of science terms. Wizards, Aliens, and Starships will speak to anyone wanting to know about the correct--and incorrect--science of science fiction and fantasy"-- Provided by publisher.
    • Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
    • ISBN:9780691147154 (hardback : acid-free paper)
      0691147159 (hardback : acid-free paper)
    • Contents:Playing the Game
      I. Potter Physics
      Harry Potter and the Great Conservation Laws
      Why Hogwarts is So Dark
      Fantastic Beasts and How to Disprove Them
      II. Space Travel
      Why Computers Get Better and Cars Can't (Much)
      Vacations in Space
      Space Colonies
      The Space Elevator
      Manned Interplanetary Travel
      Advanced Propulsion Systems
      Speculative Propulsion Systems
      Interstellar Travel and Relativity
      Faster-Than-Light Travel and Time Travel
      III. Worlds and Aliens
      Designing a Habitable Planet
      The Scientific Search for Spock
      The Mathematics of Talking with Aliens
      IV. Year Googol
      The Short-term Survival of Humanity
      World-Building
      Dyson Spheres and Ringworlds
      Advanced Civilizations and the Kardashev Scale
      A Googol Years.
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