What goes up: gravity and scientific methods/ Peter Kosso

Includes Bibliography and Index

Preface
Introduction: What to Expect from a Science of Gravity
Forces and Fields
Basic Newtonian Theory
Gravity before Newton
Early Modern Astronomy
Connecting Physics and Astronomy
Connecting Kinematics and Dynamics
Testing the Newtonian Theory
Challenging the Newtonian Theory
Geometry and Equivalence
The General Theory of Relativity
Testing the General Theory of Relativity
Using the Theory to Explore the Universe
Dark Matter
The Structure of Scientific Knowledge
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

The concept of gravity provides a natural phenomenon that is simultaneously obvious and obscure; we all know what it is, but rarely question why it is. The simple observation that 'what goes up must come down' contrasts starkly with our current scientific explanation of gravity, which involves challenging and sometimes counterintuitive concepts. With such extremes between the plain and the perplexing, gravity forces a sharp focus on scientific method. Following the history of gravity from Aristotle to Einstein, this clear account highlights the logic of scientific method for non-specialists. Successive theories of gravity and the evidence for each are presented clearly and rationally, focusing on the fundamental ideas behind them. Using only high-school level algebra and geometry, the author emphasizes what the equations mean rather than how they are derived, making this accessible for all those curious about gravity and how science really works.