The five biggest ideas in science

This book offers an engaging antidote to any case of scientific illiteracy.

In easy-to-understand terms, it introduces the basics of current theory by exploring the five major scientific disciplines and the fundamental theory behind each.

For physics, it's the model of the atom. For chemistry, the periodic law. For astronomy, the big bang. For earth science, plate tectonics. And for biology, evolution. After explaining the basics, the authors give a simple overview of how these theories relate to each other.

CHARLES M. WYNN (Willimantic, Connecticut) is a professor of chemistry at Eastern Connecticut State College.

ARTHUR R. WIGGINS (Farmington Hills, Michigan) is a professor of physics at Oakland Community College.

SIDNEY HARRIS (New Haven, Connecticut) author of Einstein Simplified, is a cartoonist whose specialty is pointing out the humorous side of the world of science.