THE PHYSICS OF EVERYDAY THINGS

A renowned physicist and science popularizer explains the principles underlying technologies that comprise the modern mundane.

In a chronological series of brief and accessible chapters—titled, for example, “You Begin Your Day,” “You Drive into the City,” “You Go to the Airport”—Kakalios (Physics/Univ. of Minnesota; The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science that Made Our World, 2010, etc.), author of the bestselling The Physics of Superheroes (2005), walks readers through the many scientific interactions that take place in a typical day, even if we don't see them. From waking to the aroma of coffee brewed on a timer to relaxing in front of a flat-screen TV before bed, most people rely on the basic laws of physics almost incessantly: basic concepts such as the principle of conservation of energy and the relationship between electricity and magnetism power an incredible number of machines and devices. Some of these, such as elevators and credit cards, make life more convenient and efficient. Others, such as X-rays and MRI scans, routinely save lives. Relying on a mix of narrative storytelling and straightforward science writing, the author adeptly connects our everyday experiences with some of the most fascinating behaviors of atoms and molecules. He does so without relying on esoteric vocabulary, making this a book that readers of many ages can enjoy. (We can only hope that one day we will see flying cars, the possibility of which is discussed in the last chapter.) From start to finish, this is a fun and comprehensive introduction to many of the forces that govern how we interact with each other and the world around us. Rudimentary drawings illustrate some of the concepts.

Once again, Kakalios makes physics relatable, this time demonstrating how profoundly its principles enable our way of life.