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The physics of everyday things : the extraordinary science of an ordinary day / James Kakalios.

by Kakalios, James, 1958-

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Crown Publishers, 2017.

Physics -- Miscellanea.

Science in popular culture.

9780770437732 (hc.)

245 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

You begin your day -- You drive into the city -- You go to the doctor -- You go to the airport -- You take a flight -- You give a business presentation -- You go to a hotel.

"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 machines and hybrid vehicles. Most of us are clueless when it comes to the physics that makes our modern world so convenient. What's the simple science behind motion sensors, touch screens, and toasters? How do we glide through tolls using an E-Z Pass, or find our way to new places using GPS? James Kakalios takes us on an amazing journey into the subatomic marvels that underlie so much of what we use and take for granted. Breaking down the world of things into a single day, Kakalios engages our curiosity about how our refrigerators keep food cool, how a plane manages to remain airborne, and how our wrist fitness monitors keep track of our steps. Each explanation is coupled with a story revealing the interplay of the astonishing invisible forces that surround us. Far from the abstractions conjured by terms like the Higgs Boson, black holes, and gravity waves, sophisticated science is also quite practical. Kakalios ignites our imaginations and enthralls us with the principles that make up our lives. James Kakalios is a professor of Physics at the University of Minnesota, and the author of The Physics of Superheroes."--Provided by publisher.

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