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Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page i About the Author Paul W. Zitzewitz graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in physics and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University, also in physics. After post-doctoral posi- tions at the University of Western Ontario and Corning Glass Works, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan— Dearborn, where he taught and did research on positrons and positronium for more than 35 years. During his career the university awarded him distinguished faculty awards in research, service, and teaching and named him emeritus professor of physics and science education in 2009. Zitzewitz has been active in local, state, and national physics teachers organizations, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and has been honored as a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his work in physics education. Zitzewitz is presently treasurer and member of the executive board of the Ameri- can Association of Physics Teachers. He is the author of the high school physics text- book Physics: Principles and Problemsand is a contributing author to four middle- school physical science textbooks. Zitzewitz enjoys classical music and opera and attending plays. His hobbies are collecting stamps of scientists (especially physicists), genealogy, and computers. He and his wife live in Northville, Michigan, but enjoy their summer cottage in Traverse City, especially when their children and grandchildren visit. i Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page ii Also from Visible Ink Press The Handy Anatomy Answer Book The Handy Ocean Answer Book by James Bobick and Naomi Balaban by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E ISBN: 978-1-57859-190-9 Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-063-6 The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) by Judy Galens and Nancy Pear The Handy Philosophy Answer Book ISBN: 978-1-57859-110-7 by Naomi Zack ISBN: 978-1-57859-226-5 The Handy Astronomy Answer Book by Charles Liu The Handy Politics Answer Book ISBN: 978-1-57859-193-0 by Gina Misiroglu ISBN: 978-1-57859-139-8 The Handy Biology Answer Book by James Bobick, Naomi Balaban, Sandra The Handy Psychology Answer Book Bobick and Laurel Roberts by Lisa J. Cohen ISBN: 978-1-57859-150-3 ISBN: 978-1-57859-223-4 The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book, 2nd Edition The Handy Religion Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E by John Renard Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-125-1 ISBN: 978-1-57859-218-0 The Handy Science Answer Book®, The Handy Geography Answer Book, Centennial Edition 2nd Edition by The Science and Technology by Paul A. Tucci and Matthew T. Rosenberg Department Carnegie Library of ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9 Pittsburgh ISBN: 978-1-57859-140-4 The Handy Geology Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E The Handy Sports Answer Book Svarney by Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom and ISBN: 978-1-57859-156-5 Roger Matuz ISBN: 978-1-57859-075-9 The Handy History Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Rebecca Nelson Ferguson The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book ISBN: 978-1-57859-170-1 by David L Hudson, Jr. ISBN: 978-1-57859-196-1 The Handy Law Answer Book by David L. Hudson Jr. The Handy Weather Answer Book,2nd Edition ISBN: 978-1-57859-217-3 by Kevin S. Hile ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9 The Handy Math Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-171-8 Please visit the Handy series website at handyanswers.com Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page iii THE HANDY PHYSICS A N S W E R BOOK SECOND EDITION Paul W. Zitzewitz, PhD Detroit Handy Physics 12/12/10 5:49 PM Page iv THE Copyright © 2011 by Visible Ink Press® This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copy- HANDY right laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competi- tion, and other applicable laws. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission PHYSICS in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a maga- zine, newspaper, or website. ANSWER All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended. Visible Ink Press® BOOK 43311 Joy Rd., #414 Canton, MI 48187-2075 Visible Ink Press is a registered trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC. Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups. Cus- tomized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be pro- duced to meet your needs. For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press, www.visibleink.com, or 734-667-3211. Managing Editor: Kevin S. Hile Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski Typesetting: Marco Di Vita Indexing: Shoshana Hurwitz Proofreader: Sarah Hermsen ISBN 978-1-57859-305-7 Cover images: iStock. Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Zitzewitz, Paul W. The handy physics answer book / Paul W. Zitzewitz. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-57859-305-7 1. Physics--Miscellanea. I. Title. QC75.Z58 2011 530--dc22 2010047248 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page v Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii INTRODUCTION ix BIBLIOGRAPHY … 323 SYMBOLS … 327 GLOSSARY … 331 INDEX … 359 THE BASICS … 1 FLUIDS … 95 Measurement … Careers in Physics … Water Pressure … Blood Pressure … Famous Physicists … The Nobel Prize Atmospheric Pressure … Sinking and Floating: Buoyancy … Fluid Dynamics: Hydraulics and Pneumatics … Aerodynamics … The Sound MOTION AND Barrier … Supersonic Flight ITS CAUSES … 25 Force and Newton’s Laws of Motion THERMAL PHYSICS … 117 MOMENTUM AND Thermal Energy … Temperature and ENERGY … 55 Its Measurement … Absolute Zero … States of Matter … Heat … Momentum … Energy Thermodynamics STATICS … 83 WAVES … 137 Center of Gravity … Statics … Bridges Water Waves … Electromagnetic and Other “Static” Structures Waves … Communicating with v Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page vi Electromagnetic Waves … Putting Safety Precautions … Current Information on Electromagnetic Electricity … Resistance … Waves … Microwaves … The Principle Superconductors … Ohm’s Law … of Superposition … Resonance … Electric Power and Its Uses … Circuits Impedance … The Doppler Effect … … AC/DC … Series/Parallel Circuits Radar … NEXRAD Doppler Radar … … Electrical Outlets Radio Astronomy MAGNETISM … 261 SOUND … 165 Electromagnetism … Electromagnetic Technology … Magnetic Fields in Speed of Sound … Hearing … Space Ultrasonics and Infrasonics … Intensity of Sound … Acoustics … Musical Acoustics … Noise Pollution WHAT IS THE WORLD MADE OF? … 273 LIGHT … 187 The Speed of Light … Polarization of Light … Opaque, Transparent, and Translucent Materials … Shadows … AT THE HEART OF Reflection … Mirrors … Refraction … THE ATOM … 289 Lenses … Fiber Optics … Diffraction and Interference … Color … Rainbows … Eyesight … Cameras … Telescopes UNANSWERED QUESTIONS … 309 ELECTRICITY … 231 Beyond the Proton and Neutron … Leyden Jars and Capacitors … Van de Entanglement, Teleportation, and Graaf Generators … Lightning … Quantum Computing vi Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page vii Acknowledgments I want to express my thanks to a large number of others who have asked questions and challenged answers over a long career. These include students in my classes—from future elementary teachers, engineers, and physicists; members of the research group at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor; colleagues at the University of Michigan— Dearborn in physics, the natural sciences department, and the Inquiry Institute; high school teachers in the Detroit area and the state of Michigan; and fellow members of the American Association of Physics Teachers. I owe them all a deep debt of gratitude. Of course, the most persistent challenges have come from my children and grandchildren, who have many times asked, “But why?” My parents supported and encouraged my early interests in physics, chemistry, and electronics, and for that I am extremely grateful. More than anyone, however, I would like to thank my wife, Barb, who is my best friend and colleague. She has encouraged and supported me throughout our life together. This second edition of the Handy Physics Answer Bookis based on the first edition, written by P. Erik Gundersen. The new edition has adopted the structure and style of the first. Some questions and answers have not been changed, but many others have been updated and new ones have been added. Erik’s work has been a tremen- dous help in writing this edition. I would also like to thank Roger Jänecke and Kevin Hile at Visible Ink Press for their encouragement and help during the writing of this book. While the book has been carefully researched and proofread, I take responsibili- ty for any remaining errors. Paul W. Zitzewitz Northville, Michigan November, 2010 vii Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page viii PHOTO CREDITS Photos and illustrations in The Handy Physics Answer Bookwere provided by the fol- lowing sources: AP Images/NBCU Photo Bank:page 12. CERN:pages 297, 310 iStock.com:pages 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 26, 28, 30, 35, 39, 41, 46, 47, 51, 58, 59, 63, 69, 72, 81, 89, 92, 97, 100, 103, 104, 106, 108, 111, 114, 119, 122, 124, 133, 141, 144, 149, 151, 155, 157, 161, 164, 168, 171, 172, 176, 178, 182, 188, 189, 193, 195, 199, 203, 206, 208, 213, 215, 218, 225, 227, 230, 232, 236, 238, 244, 246, 251, 254, 257, 262, 267, 269, 277, 280, 286, 300, 303, 306. Kevin Hile:pages 61, 62, 64, 65, 73, 74, 76, 77, 79, 84, 85, 90, 96, 131, 132, 134, 147, 148, 148, 154, 211, 263, 276, 276, 279, 281, 283, 293, 312, 317. Library of Congress:pages 239, 240, 291. NASA:pages 201, 264, 320. viii Handy Physics 12/10/10 12:22 PM Page ix INTRODUCTION Why don’t skyscrapers sway in the wind? How does a ground-fault interrupter work? What’s the ultimate fate of the universe? Who developed our understanding of the nature of the atom? Physics is full of questions. Some are about the most fundamental ideas on which the universe is based, others involve everyday applications of physics, many are just fun. Most have answers, although those answers may have been different in the past and may be different in the future. The Handy Physics Answer Book is written for you to explore these and other questions and to ponder over their answers. It should lead you to ask further questions and search for other answers. Eschewing the usual mathematical explanations for physics phenomena, this approachable reference explains complicated scientific concepts in plain English that everyone can understand. But it contains more. Physics has been developed by people over more than two thousand years. They come from diverse backgrounds from a wide range of cultures. Some made only one contribution, others made important advances over many years in several different areas. The names of some will be familiar: Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Franklin, Curie, Feynman. Others you may not have heard of: Alhazen, Goeppert- Meyer, Cornell, Heaviside. A complete list of physics Nobel Prize winners is included. The Handy Physics Answer Bookdoes not have to be read from beginning to end. Look through the index for a topic that interests you. Or, open it at random and pick a question that has always puzzled you. If a scientific term is not familiar, refer to the glossary at the end of the book. While the book describes concepts much more than equations, it does use symbols to represent physics quantities. If you’re not familiar with a symbol, there is a helpful dictionary, at the end of this book, as well as a glossary of terms. Does an answer leave you wanting more information? Look at the bibliography for a book or Website; then visit a library, bookstore, or access the Web. But above all, enjoy your adventure! ix