Eschewing the usual mathematical explanations for physics phenomena, this approachable reference explains complicated scientific concepts in plain English that everyone can understand. Completely updated to tackle 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.
Author(s): Paul W. Zitzewitz
Series: The Handy Answer Book Series
Edition: Second edition
Publisher: Visible Ink Press
Year: 2011
Language: English
Pages: 385
Tags: Физика;Популярная физика;
Cover
......Page 1
Copyright
......Page 5
Contents
......Page 6
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 8
INTRODUCTION......Page 10
THE BASICS......Page 12
Measurement......Page 14
Famous Physicists......Page 18
The Nobel Prize......Page 24
MOTION AND ITS CAUSES......Page 36
Force and Newton’s Laws of Motion......Page 44
Momentum......Page 66
Energy......Page 70
Center of Gravity......Page 94
Statics......Page 97
Bridges and Other “Static” Structures......Page 101
Water Pressure......Page 106
Blood Pressure......Page 109
Atmospheric Pressure......Page 110
Sinking and Floating: Buoyancy......Page 112
Fluid Dynamics: Hydraulics and Pneumatics......Page 118
Aerodynamics......Page 120
The Sound Barrier......Page 124
Supersonic Flight......Page 126
Thermal Energy......Page 128
Temperature and Its Measurement
......Page 129
Absolute Zero......Page 134
States of Matter......Page 135
Heat......Page 139
Thermodynamics......Page 141
WAVES
......Page 148
Water Waves......Page 151
Electromagnetic Waves
......Page 153
Communicating with Electromagnetic Waves
......Page 155
Putting Information on Electromagnetic Waves
......Page 158
Microwaves......Page 163
The Principle of Superposition
......Page 164
Resonance......Page 167
Impedance......Page 169
The Doppler Effect......Page 170
Radar......Page 172
NEXRAD Doppler Radar......Page 173
Radio Astronomy......Page 174
Speed of Sound......Page 176
Hearing......Page 180
Ultrasonics and Infrasonics......Page 181
Intensity of Sound......Page 184
Acoustics......Page 188
Musical Acoustics......Page 191
Noise Pollution......Page 195
LIGHT......Page 198
The Speed of Light......Page 201
Polarization of Light
......Page 205
Opaque, Transparent, and Translucent Materials
......Page 207
Shadows......Page 208
Reflection......Page 213
Mirrors......Page 215
Refraction......Page 218
Lenses......Page 220
Fiber Optics......Page 224
Diffraction and Interference
......Page 225
Color......Page 226
Rainbows......Page 232
Eyesight......Page 233
Cameras......Page 238
Telescopes......Page 239
ELECTRICITY
......Page 242
Leyden Jars and Capacitors......Page 248
Van de Graaf Generators
......Page 250
Lightning......Page 252
Safety Precautions......Page 254
Current Electricity
......Page 257
Resistance......Page 258
Superconductors......Page 259
Ohm’s Law......Page 260
Electric Power and Its Uses......Page 263
Circuits......Page 264
AC/DC......Page 265
Series/Parallel Circuits......Page 267
Electrical Outlets......Page 268
MAGNETISM
......Page 272
Electromagnetism......Page 277
Electromagnetic Technology
......Page 279
Magnetic Fields in Space
......Page 281
WHAT IS THE WORLD MADE OF?
......Page 284
AT THE HEART OF THE ATOM
......Page 300
Beyond the Proton and Neutron......Page 320
Entanglement, Teleportation, and Quantum Computing......Page 328
Bibliography
......Page 334
Symbols
......Page 338
Glossary
......Page 342
Index
......Page 370
