From how particle masses are determined to why it's so difficult to predict the weather, The Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science provides an accessible explanation of the scientific thinking behind the five greatest unsolved problems in science, including: Physics: How are particle masses determined? Chemistry: How did simple atoms first combine to form complex molecules? Biology: What role does the genome play in the growth and development of life? Earth science: Why is it so difficult to predict the weather? Astronomy: What is the future of the universe?

In this book for general readers in high school and up, Wiggins (physics, Oakland Community College) and Wynn (chemistry, Eastern Connecticut State University) explain five of science's biggest unsolved problems and discuss the theories that address them. Featuring humorous illustrations from science cartoonist Sidney Harris, as well as b&w historical photos of science pioneers, the book invites readers to explore the events that led to the formation of these problems and the cutting-edge efforts being made to solve them. "Idea folders" provide further information and web sites of interest.
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From how particle masses are determined to why it's so difficult to predict the weather, this text provides an accessible explanation of the scientific thinking behind the five greatest unsolved problems in science.

Arthur W. Wiggins (Farmington Hills, MI) is a Professor of Physics at Oakland Community College in Michigan. Charles M. Wynn (Willimantic, CT) is a Professor of Chemistry at Eastern Connecticut State College. They collaborated on The Five Biggest Ideas in Science (0-471-13812-6).

An in-depth look at the most intriguing puzzles in science today

In this illuminating book, professors Arthur Wiggins and Charles Wynn explore what they believe are the five biggest science problems:

• Physics: Why do some particles have mass, while others have none?
• Chemistry: By what series of chemical reactions did atoms form the first living things?
• Biology: What is the complete structure and function of the proteome?
• Geology: Is accurate, long-range weather forecasting possible?
• Astronomy: Why is the universe expanding faster and faster?

Wiggins and Wynn carefully explain each of these problems, then discuss the theories that address them. Some of the many topics covered include string theory, the human genome, chaos theory, and protein folding.

Featuring humorous illustrations from renowned science cartoonist Sidney Harris, this book invites you to explore the events that led to these problems and the cutting-edge efforts being made to solve them.The authors also provide Idea Folders, which contain additional details about the unsolved problems, and Resources for Digging Deeper, such as books, periodicals, and Web sites.