Molecular Storms: The Physics of Stars, Cells and the Origin of Life (Paperback)
  • Molecular Storms: The Physics of Stars, Cells and the Origin of Life (Paperback)
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Molecular Storms: The Physics of Stars, Cells and the Origin of Life (Paperback)

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£29.99
Paperback 270 Pages
Published: 03/11/2023
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“Following in the footsteps of Stephen Hawking's ‘A brief history of time’ and Simon Singh's ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’ this exceptionally accessible book will you leave marveling at the wonders of the world and, if you didn't listen to your science teachers, wishing you had. Graham writes with the mind of a physicist and the soul of a poet.” 

Nicki Hayes, CCO, The Communications Practice, author of First Aid for Feelings. 

“Only a few writers have managed to turn the highly technical jargon of science into language accessible for interested lay readers. Isaac Asimov showed us how it could be done, and Carl Zimmer and Brian Greene are continuing today. In Molecular Storms, his first book, Liam Graham has shown that he has the essential quality required to join this group, a love of first learning then explaining how the universe works." 

David Deamer, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz,author of Assembling Life.


Why is the universe the way it is?  Wherever we look, we find ordered structures: from stars to planets to living cells.  This book shows that the same driving force is behind structure everywhere:  the incessant random motion of the components of matter.  Physicists call it thermal noise.  Let’s call it the molecular storm.
This storm drives the fusion reactions that make stars shine.  It drives whirlpools and currents in atmospheres and oceans.  It spins and distorts molecules until they are in the right orientation to react and form new substances.  In living cells, it drives proteins to fold and molecules to self-assemble.  It is behind every detail of the astonishing molecular machines that control cellular processes.

Using cutting-edge research, “Molecular Storms” takes us on a dazzling journey from the early universe to the interior of the smallest living things.  There, in a nanoscale world of biological devices, it explains the physics behind the chemical system which we call Life.

Whether you're someone with a general interest in science or a student looking to add context to your studies, this book is for you. "Molecular Storms" is an accessible and captivating read that will deepen your appreciation of the power of science to explain the world.

Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG
ISBN: 9783031386800
Number of pages: 270
Dimensions: 235 x 155 mm
Edition: 1st ed. 2023


MEDIA REVIEWS

“Graham displays a magisterial command of the material … . a thought-provoking reflection on the deepest of questions.” (Kirkus, Kirkus, kirkusreviews.com, November 3, 2023) “His grand tour of the physical world leaves little unexamined, starting with simple systems of gas molecules in a box, moving to the smallest, simplest living cells, then on to whole planets. Graham does a stunning job of connecting everything to the state of disorder we call entropy and to the driving force behind structures everywhere – the ‘molecular storms’ of his title.” (Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, New Scientist, newscientist.com, January 3, 2024)

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“Excellent and accessible read for anyone interested in science”

This is a fascinating read... covering the science at every length scale from sub-atomic particles to galaxies and showing how the often difficult subject of thermodynamics is critical to understanding them all.... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 6

“Excellent read for anyone interested in science”

This is a fascinating read... covering the science at every length scale from sub-atomic particles to galaxies and showing how the often difficult subject of thermodynamics is critical to understanding them all.... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 4

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