In a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of The Five Biggest Ideas in Science, authors Charles Wynn and Arthur Wiggins provide a panoramic view of the questions scientists seek to answer about the natural world: * Do basic building blocks of matter exist, and if so, what do they look like? * BIG IDEA #1: Physics' Model of the Atom * What relationships, if any, exist among different kinds of atoms? * BIG IDEA #2: Chemistry's Periodic Law * Where did the atoms of the universe come from,and what is their destiny? * BIG IDEA #3: Astronomy's Big Bang Theory * How is the matter of the universe arranged in planet Earth? * BIG IDEA #4: Geology's Plate Tectonics Model * How did life on planet Earth originate and develop? * BIG IDEA #5: Biology's Theory of Evolution Get set for a lively and informative discussion, as you also learn how to evaluate potential applications of these and other scientific ideas.

The Road to Discovery: The Method of Science.BIG IDEA #1 Physics' Model of the Atom: Seeing the Unseeable.BIG IDEA #2 Chemistry's Periodic Law: Sorting the Elements.BIG IDEA #3 Astronomy's Big Bang Theory: Tracing the Elements' Roots.BIG IDEA #4 Geology's Plate Tectonics Model: Down to Earth.BIG IDEA #5 Biology's Theory of Evolution: Life Begins and Branches Out.The Method of Science: Further Insights.Benefit/Risk Analysis: Potential Applications of Scientific Knowledge.Epilogue.Idea Folders.Additional Reading.Index.