A Choice of Catastrophes: The Disasters that Threaten Our WorldScientist, author, and Earth-dweller, explores the many potential natural and man-made catastrophes that could change life as we know it, or erase us from the face of the Earth. Natural properties and laws might change at any time, rendering life on this planet--or anywhere in the universe--impossible. But the disasters that are most imminent are in our power to control--technology, nuclear warfare, pollution... Natural forces far more powerful than man might destroy us. Or they may have nothing to do with bringing about the end. Book jacket. |
Contents
Introduction | 13 |
The Increase of Entropy 25 | 25 |
The Closing of the Universe | 46 |
Copyright | |
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A Choice of Catastrophes: The Disasters that Threaten Our World Isaac Asimov No preview available - 1981 |
Common terms and phrases
animals antimatter asteroid asteroid belt astronomer atmosphere atoms average barbarian black hole body carbon dioxide catastrophe cell century chance civilization clouds coal collision comet continue contract cosmic egg cosmic rays course danger decrease disease distance Earth Earth's surface earthquake energy entropy eventually exist explosion fact fission galactic center galactic clusters galaxy glaciers globular cluster gravitational field gravitational pull happen heat heat-death human hydrogen ice age increase intelligence kilometers less light-years magnetic field main sequence mass massive matter miles million mini-black hole molecules momentum moon move mutations nuclear nuclear fission nucleus objects ocean orbit particles percent perhaps period physicist planet planetary population possible produce quasars radiation reach red giant rock rotation Schwarzschild radius seems slowly solar system space species speed stars sun's sunspot supernova suppose sure temperature tidal effect tion trillion universe vapor volcanoes