Atoms Under the Floorboards: The Surprising Science Hidden in Your Home

ISBN-13: 9781472912237 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 336 str.

Chris Woodford

Opis

Using the modern home as a springboard, Atoms Under the Floorboards presents the fascinating and surprising scientific explanations behind a variety of common (and often entertainingly mundane) household phenomena, from gurgling drains and squeaky floorboards to rubbery custard and shiny shoes. Packed with facts and fun, each chapter focuses on the objects and processes familiar in everyday life and slowly unpicks the science behind them. For example, the chapter on how buildings work introduces static and dynamic forces in explaining why buildings (and their foundations) don't sink into the ground and why skyscrapers don't blow over in strong winds. The chapter on bicycles explores how "circles (better known as wheels) with a few flimsy bits of metal (spokes) stretched between them" are able to support your weight--and this leads into a discussion of compression, tension, and how gears work. After reading Atoms Under the Floorboards, you'll never look at everyday objects the same way again.

Recenzje

Atoms under the Floorboards provides elegant answers to questions so obvious you've never thought of them ...there is plenty here to interest those curious about the scientific underpinnings of the modern world. Wall Street Journal 20150620

Spis treści

IntroductionChapter 1: Firm FoundationsChapter 2: Upstairs, DownstairsChapter 3: SuperheroicsChapter 4: The Beauty of BikesChapter 5: Car CrazyChapter 6: Sticky StuffChapter 7: The Inside StoryChapter 8: Amazing GlazingChapter 9: Saggy Sofas, Squeaky FloorsChapter 10: Light DelightsChapter 11: Radio GagaChapter 12: Living by NumbersChapter 13: Blowing Hot and ColdChapter 14: Food MilesChapter 15: Stirring StuffChapter 16: Water, WaterChapter 17: Stain GamesChapter 18: Dressing to Impress Notes and ReferencesFurther ReadingAcknowledgementsIndex

O autorze

Chris Woodford has been a professional science and technology writer for 25 years. After graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in natural sciences, he has gone on to write, co-write and edit a number of science education books, including the best-selling Cool Stuff series.He runs www.explainthatstuff.com, dedicated to explaining the science behind familiar, everyday things.