本書是面向21世紀課程教材,是在原第一版的基礎上修訂而成的,原第一版獲2002年度國家級優(yōu)秀教材一等獎。本書是作者多年教改的成果,與國內同類教材相比,本書在內容、體系上均有較大創(chuàng)新。全書包括Accretion, AMS, Bose-Einstein condensation, cold fusion, clusters, DNA double-helix structure, Einstein field equation, fractals, grand unification, helix-coil transition, inflationary universe model, Ising model, jets from star, k-space, laser, light spectrum, Mossbauer effect, neutrino mass, optical pumping, quark model, quasi-crystal, three kinds of redshifts, SOC, tidal disruption, universe models, virtual pair, W±, X ray, Yukawa model, Z0等內容。本書可作為理科各專業(yè)大學物理課程的教材,也可供其他專業(yè)和社會讀者閱讀。