Little Big Book of Science in 100 Words

Short, crisp and lucid explanations of 100 key concepts for better understanding of 21st century science. The book presents 100 words, concepts and explanations in science that every individual ought to know and understand in the 21st century. Each concept is first described in exactly 100 words and then explained in detail. In explaining science simply, the book heeds Einstein’s advice: ‘Most of the fundamental ideas in science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.’ Almost every day there are new facts and ideas discussed in the media, in university campuses and among researchers around the world the makeup of the universe, the roles genes play in disease, dangers of environmental change, and countless other things including bioethics and cloning. People unfamiliar with these powerful concepts and critical issues influencing science may not be able to fathom and appreciate the rapid advances and disruptive developments taking place around them. The words are not the terms usually found in textbooks. Rather, the concepts are essential for understanding the scientific trends which are defining and shaping our everyday life and our future world. Recently at a workshop in Venice, 100 parole per la scienza, 100 senior high school students from all over Italy compiled a list of 100 words or phrases they considered necessary for understanding science today. Many eminent scientists and educators helped the students in their task. This book comes form the list compiled at this workshop.