The Joy of Physics

by Arthur W. Wiggins

Book Overview

For those who have always wanted to discover the joy of physics, this is the book that they've been waiting for. Many people remember their struggles with physics in high school and have wished for the right opportunity to gain an appreciation of this significant area of knowledge. Now is their chance not only to understand physics, but to do physics. The author provides the general reader with a fun-filled, entertaining, and truly educational tour of this all-important science. What makes the study of physics so worthwhile? The author says that, despite its reputation for difficulty, physics has an enormously ambitious goal, which appeals to people's innate curiosity: to understand the workings of the entire universe, from the smallest quarks to the largest galaxies. Learning and comprehending as much as we can about the inner and outer workings of the universe is what evokes the joy of physics. Taking a hands-on approach, he invites the reader to share the joy. Easy, practical experiments pepper the book and connect the ideas of physics with the reality of the universe. The yo-yo, flying disc, shake flashlight, laser pointer, LED, and even a microwave experiment with an edible result add to the fun.Complete with lively, memorable cartoons by Sidney Harris-America's premier science cartoonist-this book reveals the inherent fun, intellectual pleasure, and supreme importance of a subject that we can now finally tackle and enjoy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 161614453X
• ISBN13: 9781616144531
• Release Date: March 2011
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 472 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Joy of Physics

A fantastic book that helps you to learn and get a laugh to boot. Where was this book when I was in jr. high!

Understanding Physics can be Joyful!

Art Wiggins' ability to explain complex physics in a way that everyone can understand it is uncanny. Not only does he explain it well, he gives the reader great insight into the early researchers' thoughts, and the reasons they were pursuing the problem in the first place. Then he gives the reader some simple experiments they can do (using household items, or easily obtainable objects) to prove the concept or experience the phenomenon. He truly does bring physics into your home so that the reader can understand it and, more importantly, help them and their kids do their science projects. I recommend this book for anyone, and everyone, who has always thought that physics was just for nerds or smart folks, but wished they could understand science and physics better.