In praise of simple physics : the science and mathematics behind everyday questions /

Nahin, Paul J.,

In praise of simple physics : the science and mathematics behind everyday questions / Paul J. Nahin. - xxiii, 241 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

How's your math? -- The traffic light dilemma -- Energy from moving air -- Drag racing and (some) space station physics -- Merry-go-round physics and the tides -- Energy from moving water -- Using vectors to avoid a bad hair day -- An illuminating problem -- How to measure the depth of a deep, dark hole in the ground with a stopwatch -- Solving the preface challenge problems -- The physics of stacking books and of chain reactions -- Communication satellite physics -- Walking a ladder upright -- Why is the sky dark at night? -- How some things float (or don't) -- A reciprocating problem -- How to catch a baseball (or not) -- Tossing balls and shooting bullets up-hill -- Rapid travel in a great circle transit tube -- Hurtling your body through space -- The path of a punt -- Easy ways to measure gravity in your garage -- Epilogue -- Newton's gravity calculation mistake.

9780691166933 (hbk) 0691166935

2015031463


Physics.
Mathematical physics.

QC 21.3 Nah / .N34 2016