- 900 in-depth, illustrated articles on engineering basics.
- Explanations, not definitions.
- Every major engineering area included.
Hundreds of well-illustrated articles explore the most important fields of science.
Based on content from the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Fifth Edition, the most widely used and respected science reference of its kind in print, each of these subject-specific quick-reference guides features:
- Detailed, well-illustrated explanations, not just definitions
- Hundreds of concise yet authoritative articles in each volume
- An easy-to-understand presentation, accessible and interesting to non-specialists
- A portable, convenient format
- Bibliographies, appendices, and other information supplement the articles
There is no better or more authoritative vehicle for staying up to speed with today's engineering than the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering. Derived from the world-renowned McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, this vital reference provides brief yet substantive articles from scientists and engineers at the forefront of their fields, summarizing the state of the art in engineering today.
Learned enough for professional users, yet written in clear, simple language that will appeal to students and general readers wanting to explore the exciting developments in contemporary engineering, the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering:
- Features over 900 articles encompassing the scope of engineering today.
- Puts the world of engineering at your fingertips, in a conveniently portable, alphabetically organized volume.
- Includes clear, concise, expert-authored coverage of topics such as aeronautical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, classical mechanics, control systems, design engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, and systems engineering.
- Provides illustrations, bibliographies, appendices, and other valuable supplements to the articles.
Carefully reviewed for accuracy, clarity and completeness, the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering offers an unparalleled standard of excellence.
From the Preface
For more than four decades, the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology has been an indispensable scientific reference work for a broad range of readers, from students to professionals and interested general readers. Found in many thousands of libraries around the world, its 20 volumes authoritatively cover every major field of science. However, the needs of many readers will also be served by a concise work covering a specific scientific or technical discipline in a handy, portable format. For this reason, the editors of the Encyclopedia have produced this series of paperback editions, each devoted to a major field of science or engineering.
The articles in the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering cover all the principal topics of this field. Each one is a condensed version of the parent article that retains its authoritativeness and clarity of presentation, providing the reader with essential knowledge in engineering without extensive detail. The initials of the authors are at the end of the articles; their full names and affiliations are listed in the back of the book.
The reader will find 900 alphabetically arranged entries, many illustrated with images or diagrams. Most include cross-references to other articles for background reading or further study. Dual measurement units (U.S. Customary and International System) are used throughout. The Appendix includes useful information complementing the articles. Finally, the Index provides quick access to specific information in the articles.
This concise reference will fill the need for accurate, current scientific and technical information in convenient, economical format. It can serve as the starting point for research by anyone seriously interested in technology, even professionals seeking information outside their own specialty. It should prove to be a much used and much trusted addition to the reader's bookshelf.
Organization of the Encyclopedia:
Alphabetization: The more than 900 article titles are sequenced on a word-by-word basis, not letter by letter. Hyphenated words are treated as
separate words. In occasional inverted article titles, the comma provides a full stop. The index is alphabetized on the same principles. Readers can turn
directly to the pages for much of their research. Examples of sequencing are:
- Circuit (electronics)
- Circuit breaker
- Computer graphics
- Data structure
- Database management
- Electric vehicle
- Electrical breakdown
Cross references. Virtually every article has cross references set in capitals and small capitals. These references offer the user the option of
turning to other articles in the volume for related information.
Measurement units. Since some readers prefer the U.S. Customary System while others require the International System of Units (SI), measurements
in the Encyclopedia are given in dual units.
Contributors. The authorship of each article is specified at its conclusion, in the form of the contributor's initials for brevity. The contributor's full name and affiliation may be found in the "Contributors" section at the back of the volume.
Appendix. Every user should explore the variety of succinct information supplied by the Appendix, which includes conversion factors, measurement
factors, measurement tables, fundamental constants and a biographical listing of scientists. Users wishing to go beyond the scope of the Encyclopedia will
find recommended books and journals listed in the "Bibliographies" section; the titles are grouped by subject area.
Index. The 4400-entry index offers the reader the time-saving convenience of being able to quickly locate specific information in the text, rather than approaching the Encyclopedia via article titles only. This elaborate breakdown of the volume's contents assures both the general reader and the professional of efficient use of the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering. |
