288 pages

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The Handy Physics Answer Book , livre ebook

Visible Ink Press - Paul W Zitzewitz

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288 pages

English

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Description

Eschewing the usual mathematical explanations for physics phenomena, this approachable reference explains complicated scientific concepts in plain English that everyone can understand. Tackling the big issues such as gravity, magnetism, sound, and what really happens in the Large Hadron Collider, this engaging look at physics also spells out why cats always land on their feet, why people appear to have red eyes in photographs, and the real danger of looking at an eclipse.

For everyone who ever wondered how a light bulb works or how squirrels avoid electrocution on the power lines, this handbook supplies answers on the physics of everyday life and examines the developments in the exploration of subatomic particles. In addition to the question-and-answer section, an addendum of facts about physicists explains what the Nobel prize is and who has won it, and tells the story of the scientist who was incarcerated for agreeing with Copernicus.

Answers more than eight hundred questions about physics, ranging from everyday life applications to the latest explorations in the field.

Sujets

Sciences et techniques

Physics

Science

Physique

Physical attractiveness

Informations

Publié par	Visible Ink Press
Date de parution	01 février 2011
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781578593576
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	5 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0950€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

About the Author

Paul W. Zitzewitz graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in physics and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University, also in physics. Aer post-doctoral positions at the University of Western Ontario and Corning Glass Works, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan—Dearborn, where he taught and did research on positrons and positronium for more than 35 years. During his career the university awarded him distinguished faculty awards in research, service, and teaching and named him emeritus professor of ph ysics and science education in 2009. Zitzewitz has been active in local, state, and nati onal physics teachers organizations, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Secti on of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and has been honored as a Fellow of the A merican Physical Society for his work in physics education. Zitzewitz is presently treasurer and member of the executive board of the American Association of Physics Teachers. He is the author o f the high school physics textbookPhysics: Principles and Problemsphysical scienceis a contributing author to four middleschool and textbooks. Zitzewitz enjoys classical music and opera and atte nding plays. His hobbies are collecting stamps of scientists (especially physicists), genea logy, and computers. He and his wife live in Northville, Michigan, but enjoy their summer cottag e in Traverse City, especially when their children and grandchildren visit.

Also from Visible Ink Press The Handy Anatomy Answer Book by James Bobick and Naomi Balaban ISBN: 978-1-57859-190-9 The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) by Judy Galens and Nancy Pear ISBN: 978-1-57859-110-7 The Handy Astronomy Answer Book by Charles Liu ISBN: 978-1-57859-193-0 The Handy Biology Answer Bookby James Bobick, Naomi Balaban, Sandra Bobick and Laurel Roberts ISBN: 978-1-57859-150-3 The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book,2nd Edition by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-218-0 The Handy Geography Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Paul A. Tucci and Matthew T. Rosenberg ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9

The Handy Geology Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-156-5

The Handy History Answer Book,2nd Edition by Rebecca Nelson Ferguson ISBN: 978-1-57859-170-1

The Handy Law Answer Book by David L. Hudson Jr. ISBN: 978-1-57859-217-3 The Handy Math Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-171-8 The Handy Ocean Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-063-6 The Handy Philosophy Answer Book by Naomi Zack ISBN: 978-1-57859-226-5 The Handy Politics Answer Book by Gina Misiroglu ISBN: 978-1-57859-139-8 The Handy Psychology Answer Book by Lisa J. Cohen ISBN: 978-1-57859-223-4 The Handy Religion Answer Book by John Renard ISBN: 978-1-57859-125-1 The Handy Science Answer Book®,

Centennial Edition by The Science and Technology Department Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh ISBN: 978-1-57859-140-4

The Handy Sports Answer Book by Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom and Roger Matuz ISBN: 978-1-57859-075-9

The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book by David L Hudson, Jr. ISBN: 978-1-57859-196-1 The Handy Weather Answer Book,2nd Edition by Kevin S. Hile ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9

Please visit the Handy series website athandyanswers.com

THE HANDY PHYSIcS ANSWER BOOK

This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copyright laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competition, and other applicable laws.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or website.

All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended.

Visible Ink Press® 43311 Joy Rd., #414 Canton, MI 48187-2075

Visible Ink Press is a registered trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC.

Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups. Customized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be produced to meet your needs. For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press,www.visibleink.com, or 734-667-3211.

Managing Editor: Kevin S. Hile Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski Typesetting: Marco Di Vita Indexing: Shoshana Hurwitz Proofreader: Sarah Hermsen ISBN 978-1-57859-305-7

Cover images: iStock.

Library of congress cataloguing-in-Publiçation Data

Zitzewitz, Paul W. The handy physics answer book / Paul W. Zitzewitz. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-57859-305-7 1. Physics--Miscellanea. I. Title. QC75.Z58 2011 530--dc22

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2010047248

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION BIBLIOGRAPHY SYMBOLS GLOSSARY INDEX

THE BASICS Measurement … Careers in Physics … Famous Physicists … The Nobel Prize

MOTION AND ITS CAUSES Force and Newton’s Laws of Motion

MOMENTUM AND ENERGY Momentum … Energy

STATICS Center of Gravity … Statics … Bridges and Other “Static” Structures

Contents

FLUIDS Water Pressure … Blood Pressure … Atmospheric Pressure … Sinking and Floating: Buoyancy … Fluid Dynamics: Hydraulics and Pneumatics … Aerodynamics … The Sound Barrier … Supersonic Flight

THERMAL PHYSICS Thermal Energy … Temperature and Its Measurement … Absolute Zero … States of Matter … Heat … Thermodynamics

WAVES Water Waves … Electromagnetic Waves … Communicating with Electromagnetic Waves … Putting Information on Electromagnetic Waves … Microwaves … The Principle of Superposition … Resonance …

Impedance … The Doppler Effect … Radar … NEXRAD Doppler Radar … Radio Astronomy

SOUND Speed of Sound … Hearing … Ultrasonics and Infrasonics … Intensity of Sound … Acoustics … Musical Acoustics … Noise Pollution

LIGHT The Speed of Light … Polarization of Light … Opaque, Transparent, and Translucent Materials … Shadows … Reflection … Mirrors … Refraction … Lenses … Fiber Optics … Diffraction and Interference … Color … Rainbows … Eyesight … Cameras … Telescopes

ELECTRICITY Leyden Jars and Capacitors … Van de Graaf Generators … Lightning … Safety Precautions … Current Electricity … Resistance … Superconductors … Ohm’s Law … Electric Power and Its Uses … Circuits … AC/DC … Series/Parallel Circuits … Electrical Outlets

MAGNETISM Electromagnetism … Electromagnetic Technology … Magnetic Fields in Space

WHAT IS THE WORLD MADE OF?

AT THE HEART OF THE ATOM

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS Beyond the Proton and Neutron … Entanglement, Teleportation, and Quantum Computing

Acknowledgments

I want to express my thanks to a large number of others who have asked questions and challenged answers over a long career. ese include students in my classes—from future elementary teachers, engineers, and physicists; members of the research group at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor ; colleagues at the University of Michigan— De arborn in physics, the natural sciences department, and the Inquiry Institute; high school teachers in the Detroit area and the state of Michigan; and fellow members of the American Association of Physics Teachers. I owe them all a deep debt of gratitude.

Of course, the most persistent challenges have come from my children and grandchildren, who have many times asked, “But why?” My parents suppor ted and encouraged my early interests in physics, chemistry, and electronics, and for that I am extremely grateful. More than anyone, however, I would like to thank my wife, Barb, who i s my best friend and colleague. She has encouraged and supported me throughout our life together.

is second edition of theHandy Physics Answer Bookis based on the rst edition, written by P. Erik Gundersen. e new edition has adopted the structure and style of the rst. Some questions and answers have not been changed, but many others have been updated and new ones have been added. Erik’s work has been a tremendous help in wr iting this edition. I would also like to thank Roger Jänecke and Kevin Hile at Visible Ink Press for their encouragement and help during the writing of this book. While the book has been caref ully researched and proofread, I take responsibility for any remaining errors.

Paul W. Zitzewitz Northville, Michigan November, 2010