From amusement park rides to critical environmental issues such as energy generation - physics affects almost every aspect of our world. In Physics Matters , James Trefil and Robert Hazen examine the fundamental physics principles at work behind the many practical applications that fuel our society and individual lives. Their goal is to promote a deeper understanding of how the great ideas of physics connect to form a much larger understanding of the universe in which we live. Highlights include: helps readers build a general knowledge of key ideas in physics and their connection to technology and other areas of science; promotes an appreciation of what science is, how scientific knowledge is developed, and how it differs from other intellectual activities; examines modern technologies, including GPS, the Internet, and information technologies, as well as medical technologies, such as MRI, PET scans, CAT scans, and radioisotope tracers; and explores key issues facing the world today, such as global warning, nuclear waste, and government funding for research.