MORE WIRES AND WATTS: Understanding and Using Electricity

by Irwin Math ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 1988

More experiments and projects with simple electrical and electronic circuits, by the author of Wires and Watts (1981). Math, an engineer, begins by lamenting that, in a world of computer games and talking toys, "". . .something is missing. The user is relegated to the role of button pusher and observer."" He then provides some principles and construction hints, and suggests tools of the trade, as preparation for constructing simple diode and transitor circuits that turn lights on and off, measure wind velocity, etc. All of the experiments are accompanied by circuit diagrams and black-and-white drawings; cautionary warnings about the dangers of electricity are appropriately profuse. The use of inexpensive everyday materials here is ingenious, and the circuits are straightforward and robust. (One--a coin-pitch game--will not work as implied by the circuit diagram without the addition of some transistor logic, but even that may intrigue readers who get that far.) The drawings are clear, although not always to scale. This may not be quite as engaging as Alfred Morgan's books (now o.p.); still, more power to a technologist who wants youngsters to begin at the beginning.

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 82

Publisher: Scribners

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S