Fun puzzles that use physics to explore the wonders of everyday life
Physics can explain many of the things that we commonly encounter. It
can tell us why the night is dark, what causes the tides, and even how
best to catch a baseball. With In Praise of Simple Physics, popular
math and science writer Paul Nahin presents a plethora of situations
that explore the science and math behind the wonders of everyday life.
Roaming through a diverse range of puzzles, he illustrates how physics
shows us ways to wring more energy from renewable sources, to measure
the gravity in our car garages, to figure out which of three light
switches in the basement controls the light bulb in the attic, and much,
much more.
How fast can you travel from London to Paris? How do scientists
calculate the energy of an atomic bomb explosion? How do you kick a
football so it stays in the air and goes a long way downfield? Nahin
begins with simpler problems and progresses to more challenging
questions, and his entertaining, accessible, and scientifically and
mathematically informed explanations are all punctuated by his trademark
humor. Readers are presumed to have some background in beginning
differential and integral calculus. Whether you simply have a personal
interest in physics' influence in the world or you're an engineering and
science student who wants to gain more physics know-how, this book has
an intriguing scenario for you.
In Praise of Simple Physics proves that if we look carefully at the
world around us, physics has answers for the most astonishing day-to-day
occurrences.
