The Handy Physics Answer Book

by P. Erik Gunderson and P. Erik Gundersen

Book Overview

A collection of answers to 1,000 common questions about physics and related topics. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0760746508
• ISBN13: 9780760746509
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Length: 415 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

This is one of the most helpful science books that I have ever read!

I am a high school student interested in pursuing physics as a career. Since I participate in many clubs and classes regarding science, I find myself needing to do a lot of studying. However, after reading this book, I realized that I had been able to cover enough information to impress my team mates and keep my A in physics! This book covers everything: from motion and forces to sound, history to light, modern physics to magnetism, and heat to electricity. It is easy to read and written as though it is a friend who is simply informing you, not a genius who's lecturing you! Perfect for the beginning student interested in learning about the world around them, or even the intermediate or advanced one who is looking for some interesting facts and a handy reference guide. I recommend this book 100%!

Handy. Physics. Answers.

What do Newton, Einstein, and "a typical kindergartner have in common? Aside from playing with their food and bad hair, they demonstrate a unique ability to ask deceptively simple questions..."If you are wondering how cosmic inflation theory works, read cosmologist George Smoot's "Wrinkles in Time." If you are wondering about the weakness of perturbation theories or the strength of superstring theory, read theoretical physicist Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe." If you want to know what quantum tunneling is, look it up in physicist John Gribbins' "Q is for Quantum." But --If your "how does that work" questions are less abstract, perhaps like: why is the doorknob opposite the hinges on a door (?) or why is the sky blue (?) or -- for something slightly more advanced -- how might an electron be pushed as close as possible to light-speed (?), then pick up a copy of Gundersen's "Handy Physics Answer Book." A wonderful resource, the book is exactly what the title suggests. Interesting `everyday' questions are posed, the kind of questions a young child might ask, but which most adults would struggle to answer. The answers follow, always in clear and concise language. It will be money well spent, Gundersen, a high school physics teacher, covers a lot of ground, and answers a lot of questions.

Great book if you have general questions!

I have three of these books now and I continue to not be disappointed. These books help answer questions that you may not think about but as soon as you read them you end up saying to yourself "hmmm that's a good question"! This book is very cool to read and if you have any interest what so ever in Physics it will keep your attention for hours if you let it. Definitely not the type of book you would read cover to cover, it's more useful as a reference guide. I don't see why any college or high school student or anyone for that matter with an interest in Physics wouldn't have this book. It's a great buy and fun to read!

A good resource book

This book is a great one to refer back to find quick answers for rather complex subjects. It is easy to use, very user friendly, and written in a non-technical way. A great book to have on hand.

WOW! Totally Accessible-A book for all us nonphysics majors!

I have no background in physics--never took a class--and can barely spell it. But I LOVED this book! I have always had a strong interest in how things around us work and have wondered "why" on many occasions. The problem I found with other books which tried to explain these basic laws is they were much too technical to fully appreciate what was being said. The "Handy Physics Answer Book" is written totally in non-technical language (NO MATH!!!!!!). Because of all the topics covered and how well it was written I found it hard to put this book down. Thanks to the "Handy Physics Answer Book" I can't wait until my next game of "Trivia Pursuit!"