Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe
Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe
Rafael Alves Batista, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
Michael Townsen Hicks, University of Birmingham
Roger Davies, University of Oxford
£60.99
GBPIs the universe fine-tuned for complexity, life, or something else? This comprehensive overview of fine-tuning arguments in physics, with contributions from leading researchers in their fields, sheds light on this often used but seldom understood topic. Each chapter reviews a specific subject in modern physics, such as dark energy, inflation, or solar system formation, and discusses whether any parameters in our current theories appear to be fine-tuned and, if so, to what degree. Connections and differences between these fine-tuning arguments are made clear, and detailed mathematical derivations of various fine-tuned parameters are given. This accessible yet precise introduction to fine-tuning in physics will aid students and researchers across astrophysics, atomic and particle physics and cosmology, as well as all those working at the intersections of physics and philosophy.
- A comprehensive overview of fine-tuning drawing from a variety of subdisciplines in physics
- Makes connections between cutting-edge theoretical developments in areas as diverse as inflation, particle physics, and exoplanet research
- Contains mathematical derivations of fine-tuning parameters enabling researchers within and beyond physics to understand the arguments for thinking parameters are fine-tuned
Reviews & endorsements
'… the questions posed here are of strong interest to many … Recommended' C. Palma, Choice
Product details
October 2020Hardback
9781108484541
568 pages
250 × 174 × 31 mm
1.19kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Introduction:
- 1. Fine-Tuning, Complexity, and Life in the Multiverse Mario Livio and Martin Rees
- 2. Hierarchy of Fine-Structure Constants Bernard Carr
- Part II. Cosmological Fine-Tunings:
- 3. Naturalness, fine-tuning, and observer selection in cosmology John A. Peacock
- 4. Cosmic Inflation: Trick or Treat? Jerome Martin
- 5. Is the Universal Matter- Anti-matter Asymmetry Fine tuned? Gary Steigman and Robert J. Scherrer
- 6. Structure Formation Adrianne Slyz
- Part III. Fine-tuning in Particle and Nuclear Physics:
- 7. Nuclear physics and its impact on primordial and stellar nucleosynthesis Jean-Philippe Uzan
- 8. Fine-Tunings at Particle Scales Giulia Zanderighi
- 9. Dark Matter Edward W. Kolb
- Part IV. Fine-tuning for life:
- 10. Fine-tuning: from stars to galaxies formation Joseph Silk
- 11. How Special Is the Solar System? Mario Livio
- 12. On the Temporal Habitability of Our Universe
- 13. Climbing up the theories of Nature: Fine-Tuning and Biological Molecules Abraham Loeb.
