The purpose of this volume is to present a historical perspective on the important principles, laws, theories, hypotheses, and concepts that reflect the progression of scientific descriptions and explanations of nature. An excellent 11-page introduction provides background reading on what science is and is not as well as physical laws, principles, constants, theories, hypotheses, and causality. The articles range in length from a single paragraph to several pages. A concise paraphrased statement, italicized at the beginning of each entry, renders the original principles, laws, or theories more comprehensible to the student or layperson. The several hundred articles are alphabetically arranged, in most cases by the last name of the person credited with formulating the law, theory, or concept...
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