How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday LifeThis book is an unconventional introduction to physics and science that starts with whole objects and looks inside them to see what makes them work. It's written for students who seek a connection between science and the world in which they live. How Things Work brings science to the reader rather than the reverse. Like the course in which it developed, this book has always been for nonscientists and is written with their interests in mind. Nonetheless, it has attracted students from the sciences, engineering, architecture, and other technical fields who wish to put scientific concepts into context. This book is written in English and organized in a case-study fashion. It conveys an understanding and appreciation for physics by finding physics concepts and principles within the familiar objects of everyday experience. Because its structure is defined by real-life examples, this book necessarily discusses concepts as they're needed and then revisits them later on when they reappear in other objects. Lou Bloomfield is a highly dedicated teacher and one of the most popular professors at University of Virginia, and was the recipient of the 1998 State of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award. Lou has given talks all over the country on teaching physics through everyday objects. He has extreme attention to detail and knowledge of technical physics. He is very tech savvy and has been able to provide many of the photos and illustrations for the text himself. |
Contents
The Laws of Motion Part II | 40 |
Mechanical Objects Part I | 81 |
Mechanical Objects Part II | 111 |
Copyright | |
14 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life + WileyPlus Access Card Louis A. Bloomfield No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
alternating current angular momentum answers antenna atoms audio ball ball's balloon battery bends bicycle bounce bulb capacitor center of mass Check Your Understanding chemical circuit coil colors Courtesy Lou Bloomfield current flows density device diode direction distance downward earth electric charge electric field electrical resistance electromagnetic waves electrons electrostatic emit engine equilibrium exerts experiences filament fluid forward frequency friction gravitational potential energy gravity heat horizontal increases inside kinetic energy lamp laser layer lens light magnetic field metal microwave molecules MOSFET motion motor moving n-type semiconductor negatively charged neutrons nuclei object orbital oscillator p-n junction particles photoconductor photon piano pipe positive charge pressure produce push radiation radio wave real image restoring force rotational mass rotor seesaw sound spacecraft speed spinning spring surface tank circuit temperature thermal energy torque transfer transformer turn upward vibrational voltage drop wavelength weight wheel wire X-ray zero