The Physical Universe, 16e by Konrad Krauskopf and Arthur Beiser is an outstanding text with a long history that has been updated and given a fresh look. This edition is also accompanied by a strong media component with the Connect online homework system and LearnSmart Smartbook. Aimed at presenting the essentials of physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy in a clear, easy-to-understand way, The Physical Universe shows students how science works, how scientists approach problems, and why science constantly evolves in its search for understanding.

About the Author

Konrad B. Krauskopf was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and earned a B.S.in chemistry from University of Wisconsin in 1931. He then earned a Ph.D. in chemistryat the University of California in Berkeley. When the Great Depression made jobsin chemistry scarce, Professor Krauskopf decided to study geology, which had long fascinatedhim. Through additional graduate work at Stanford University, he earned a secondPh.D. and eventually a position on the Stanford faculty. He remained at Stanforduntil his retirement in 1976. During his tenure, Professor Krauskopf also worked atvarious times with the U.S. Geological Survey, served with the U.S. Army in occupiedJapan, and traveled to Norway, France, and Germany on sabbatical leaves. His researchinterests included field work on granites and metamorphic rocks and laboratory studyon applications of chemistry to geologic problems, especially the formation of oredeposits. In later years, Professor Krauskopf spent time working with various governmentagencies on the problem of radioactive waste disposal. Professor Krauskopfpassed away on May 8, 2003.

Arthur Beiser, a native of New York City, received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.degrees in physics from New York University, where he later served as AssociateProfessor of Physics. He then was Senior Research Scientist at the Lamont GeologicalObservatory of Columbia University. His research interests were chiefly in cosmicrays and in magnetohydrodynamics as applied to geophysics and astrophysics. Inaddition to theoretical work, he participated in a cosmic-ray expedition to an Alaskanpeak and directed a search for magnetohydrodynamic waves from space in variousPacific locations. A Fellow of The Explorers Club, Dr. Beiser was the first chairmanof its Committee on Space Exploration. He is the author or coauthor of 36 books,mostly college texts on physics and mathematics, 14 of which have been translatedinto a total of 26 languages. Two of his books are on sailing, The Proper Yacht andThe Sailor’s World. Figure 13-21 is a photograph of Dr. Beiser at the helm of his58-ft sloop; he and his wife Germaine have sailed over 150,000 miles, including twoAtlantic crossings and a rounding of Cape Horn. Germaine Beiser, who has degreesin physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University,is the author or coauthor of seven books on various aspects of physics and hascontributed to The Physical Universe. For a number of years she was the editor of acruising guide to the Adriatic Sea.