Table of Contents

Part A - Outdoor Life

How does GPS navigation work? (With a nod to Albert Einstein)
Why are some mountain winds so warm?
What is wind chill?
Why is ice so slippery?
Waves at the beach
How fast do raindrops fall?
Why don’t fog drops fall?
Skydiving: how fast can you fall?
How high will the sun rise today?
How hot does the sun feel?
Parallel light beams from the sun
Summer and winter, why such a big difference?
Why do you walk the way you do?

Part B - Bicycle and Car

The human engine
The human energy equivalent of a vacuum cleaner
How do you keep your temperature constant?
How efficient is cycling?
What forces affect a cyclist?
Can you cycle at 100 km/ h?
How fast can you cycle on the moon?
Is cycling really harder with a side wind?
Minimizing your journey time
The cyclist’s soggy back
Can you get less wet by cycling faster?
Rolling resistance, air resistance and fuel consumption
How many cars per hour can a road take?

Part C - Light and Colour

Cosy candlelight
Why are incandescent bulbs so inefficient?
Luminous ideas: fluorescent lights and LEDs
Why is the sky blue and the setting sun is red?
Two kinds of smoke from the same cigarette?
Swimming pools are deeper than they look
Sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees
How sharply can you see?
Your eye is more sensitive than a camera
Puddles on a dry road
Seeing the sun after sunset
Transparent windowpanes and opaque lace curtains
Seeing clearly underwater
What makes rainbows?
Why are soap bubbles so colourful?
Why are CDs so colourful?
How does a hologram work?
Why does the sea look so blue?
What’s special about Polaroid glasses?

Part D - Sound and Hearing

What do your ears hear?
Why isn’t there more noise pollution?
The energy-cost of talking
How can you tell where a sound is coming from?
Discriminating between different voices: the cocktail party effect
Do you hear better at night?
Can the wind blow sound to you?
Do noise barriers work?
Can you hear whether the curtains are closed?
Doh-re-mi: the physics of musical scales
Why orchestras go out of tune

Part E - In and Around the House

Why do eggs explode in the microwave?
Can you cool your home with your fridge?
Curve balls, backspin and top spin
How much power can you get from solar energy?
The mystery of the wandering carpets
Common misconceptions about the radiometer
Is thick glass a better insulator than thin glass?
Is there a vacuum inside double glazing windows?
Can you feel energy consumption?
Is a black central heating radiator better than a white one?
Does black paint get hotter than white?
Does Baby really need a hot water bottle?
The lid on the saucepan
Why does the air get so dry in winter?
Why don’t you die of heat in the sauna?
The wine-mixing problem
The wandering tea leaves

Promotional Information

Fully illustrated, attractive and super easy to follow, this physics book is accessible and fun – perfect for anyone with a healthy dose of curiosity.

About the Author

Prof Jo Hermans is Emeritus Professor of Physics at Leiden University in the Netherlands. In addition to his academic research and teaching, he is active in promoting science to the general public. His books have been translated worldwide. He is a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Reviews

Everyday Physics is written in a very accessible style with fantastic use of pictures. It provides satisfyingly clear explanations and it covers a lot of ground. A lovely book to have.
*Prof Jeff Forshaw, Professor of Physics at the University of Manchester and author of 'Why Does E=mc2?'*

A gold mine of physics in the world around us, ranging from light to sound and from indoors to outdoors, written in a friendly style with beautiful diagrams, photos, and explanations. Each chapter is a joy to read.
*Prof Sanjoy Mahajan, Associate Professor of Applied Science and Engineering at Olin College of Engineering*

Everyday phenomena explained simply and clearly for all to understand.
*Prof Mete Atature, Professor of Physics at Cambridge University*

This is an interesting collection of explanations & discussions of the physics of everyday situations. The range of topics and the number of situations is extensive. By providing clear information, it encourages further thought.
*Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine*

Do try this at home. Satisfaction guaranteed for every inquisitive soul.
*Dr Eppo Bruins, politician and physicist*