How does soap know what's dirt? How do magnets work? Why do ice cubes crackle in your glass . . . And how can you keep them quiet?They are the questions that torment all of us. Now Robert L. Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, provides definitive—and amazingly simple—explanations for the mysteries of everyday life. Shattering myths (such as the common belief that salt melts the ice in your driveway) . . . providing insider secrets (like what lights up a neon sign) . . . and daring you to perform your own experiments ( find out what happens when you use a sharp knife to scratch the inside of a beer glass filled with brew!), Dr. Wolke provides astounding facts, cant-lose- bar bets, and sometimes shocking truths.Why is the sky blue? A candle flame yellow? Or bleached clothes white? Don't stay in the dark. When it comes to unraveling the mysteries of modern living, maybe Einstein didn't know. But you can—even if you've never lit a Bunsen burner—with this fascinating, eye-opening book about our astonishing world.
Why the force that keeps our feet on the ground holds the key to understanding the nature of time and the origin of the universe.Gravity is the weakest force in the everyday world yet it is the strongest force in the universe. It was the first force...
"Meet the new Stephen Hawking . . . The Order of Time is a dazzling book." --The Sunday TimesFrom the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, a concise, elegant exploration of time.Why do we remember the past and not the future? What d...
The explosive story of America's secret post-WWII science programs, from the author of the New York Times bestseller Area 51In the chaos following World War II, the U.S. government faced many difficult decisions, including what to do with the Third...
Physics professor, bestselling author, and dynamic storyteller James Kakalios reveals the mind-bending science behind the seemingly basic things that keep our daily lives running, from our smart phones and digital “clouds” to x-ray machi...
Narrator: Jonathan Todd Ross Published: 05/16/2017
From a brilliant new literary voice comes a groundbreaking exploration of how trails help us understand the world—from tiny ant trails to hiking paths that span continents, from interstate highways to the Internet.
In 2009, while thru-hikin...
“Time” is the most commonly used noun in the English language; it’s always on our minds and it advances through every living moment. But what is time, exactly? Do children experience it the same way adults do? Why does it seem to s...
Knowledge of the basic ideas and principles of science is fundamental to cultural literacy. But most books on science are often too obscure or too specialized to do the general reader much good.Science Matters is a rare exception-a science book for ...
The essential guide to radiation: the good, the bad, and the utterly fascinating, explained with unprecedented clarity.Earth, born in a nuclear explosion, is a radioactive planet; without radiation, life would not exist. And while radiation can be d...
“An imperative how-to for creativity.” —Nick Offerman Adam Savage—star of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters and one of the most beloved figures in science and tech—shares his golden rules of creativity, from finding...
