The Handy Science Answer Book (The Handy Answer Book Series)

688 Pages·2011·6.2 MB·English

by  The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

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THE
HANDY
SCIENCE
ANSWER
BOOK
Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page ii
Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page iii
THE
HANDY
SCIENCE
ANSWER
BOOK
F O U R T H E D I T I O N
Compiled by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Detroit
Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page iv
Copyright © 2011 by Visible Ink Press®
THE
This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copy-
right laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competi-
HANDY tion, and other applicable laws.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission
in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote
SCIENCE brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a maga-
zine, newspaper, or web site.
ANSWER All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended.
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ISBN 978-1-57859-321-7 (pbk.)
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
The handy science answer book / [edited by] Naomi E. Balaban and
James E. Bobick. — 4th ed.
p. cm. — (The handy answer book series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-57859-321-7 (pbk.)
1. Science—Miscellanea. I. Balaban, Naomi E. II. Bobick, James E.
Q173.H24 2011
500—dc22 2011000429
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Contents
INTRODUCTION vii
INDEX … 643
GENERAL SCIENCE, EARTH … 145
MATHEMATICS, AND
Air … Physical Characteristics …
TECHNOLOGY … 1
Water … Land … Volcanoes and
Introduction … Societies, Earthquakes … Observation and
Publications, and Awards … Numbers Measurement
… Mathematics … Computers
CLIMATE AND
PHYSICS AND WEATHER… 181
CHEMISTRY … 55
Temperature … Air Phenomena …
Energy, Motion, and Force … Light, Wind … Precipitation … Weather
Sound, and Other Waves … Electricity Prediction
and Magnetism … Matter … Chemical
Elements … Temperature,
Measurement, and Methodology MINERALS, METALS,
AND OTHER
MATERIALS … 221
ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE … 93 Rocks and Minerals … Metals …
Natural Substances … Man-made
Universe … Stars … Planets and Products
Moons … Comets and Meteorites …
Observation and Measurement …
Exploration v
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ENERGY … 257 ANIMAL
WORLD … 451
Fossil Fuels … Renewable and
Alternative Energy … Nuclear Energy Introduction and Historical
… Measures and Measurement … Background … Animal Characteristics
Consumption and Conservation and Activities … Sponges,
Coelenterates, and Worms … Mollusks
and Echinoderms … Arthropods:
ENVIRONMENT … 293 Crustaceans, Insects, and Spiders …
Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles …
Biomes, Ecological Cycles, and
Birds … Mammals … Pets
Environmental Milestones …
Pollution and Wastes … Recycling and
Conservation … Extinct and
HUMAN BODY … 517
Endangered Plants and Animals
Introduction and Historical
Background … Tissues, Organs, and
B IOLOGY … 345 Glands … Bones and Muscles … Skin,
Hair, and Nails … Blood and
Cells … Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and
Circulation … Nerves and Senses …
Fungi … DNA, RNA, and
Digestion … Reproduction and
Chromosomes … Genetics and
Human Development
Evolution … Classification, Laboratory
Tools, and Techniques
HEALTH AND
MEDICINE … 579
PLANT WORLD … 403
Health Hazards and Risks … First Aid
Introduction and Historical
and Poisons … Diseases, Disorders,
Background … Plant Diversity …
and Other Health Problems … Health
Plant Structure and Function …
Care … Diagnostic Equipments, Tests,
Flowers and Unusual Plants … Trees
and Techniques … Drugs and
and Shrubs … Soil, Gardening, and
Medicines … Surgery and Other
Farming
Treatments
vi
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Introduction
In the years since the first edition of The Handy Science Answer Book was published in
1994, innumerable discoveries and advancements have been made in all fields of science
and technology. These accomplishments range from the microscopic to the global—
from an understanding of how genes interact and ultimately produce proteins to the
recent definition of a planet that excludes Pluto. As a society, we have increased our
awareness of the environment and the sustainability of resources with a focus on
increasing our use of renewable fuels, reducing greenhouse gases, and building “green.”
This newly updated fourth edition of The Handy Science Answer Book continues
to be a fun and educational resource that is both informative and enjoyable. There are
nearly 2,000 questions in all areas of science, technology, mathematics, medicine, and
other areas. The questions are interesting, unusual, frequently asked, or difficult to
answer. Statistical data have been updated for the twenty-first century. Both of us are
pleased and excited about the various changes, additions, and improvements in this
new edition, which continues to add to and enhance the original publication present-
ed by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
AC KNOWLE D G M E NTS
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, established in 1902, fields—and answers—more
than 60,000 science and technology questions every single year, which is how a library
became an author. The most common questions and their answers were collected and
became the library’s own ready reference file. The Handy Science Answer Book is a
selection of the most interesting, frequently asked, and unusual of these queries.
This fourth edition of The Handy Science Answer Book was revised and updated
thanks to the help of James E. Bobick and Naomi E. Balaban, who have worked on the
previous editions. Bobick recently retired after sixteen years as Head of the Science and
Technology Department at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. During the same time, vii
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he taught the science resources course in the School of Information Sciences at the
University of Pittsburgh. He co-authored Science and Technology Resources: A Guide
for Information Professionals and Researchers with G. Lynn Berard from Carnegie Mel-
lon University. He has master’s degrees in both biology and library science.
Balaban, a reference librarian for twenty years at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh,
has extensive experience in the areas of science and technology. In addition to working
on the two earlier editions of The Handy Science Answer Book with Bobick, she coau-
thored The Handy Biology Answer Book and The Handy Anatomy Answer Book with
him. She has a background in linguistics and a master’s degree in library science.
Jim and Naomi dedicate this edition to Sandi and Carey: “We owe you a lot!” In
addition, the authors thank their families for the ongoing interest, encouragement,
support, and especially their understanding while this edition was being revised.
PHOTO C RE D ITS
All photos and illustrations are from iStock.com, with the following exceptions:
Electronic Illustrators Group: 28, 64, 79, 95, 99, 109, 114, 147, 297, 305, 351, 533,
538, 544, 546, 551, 555, 557, 559, 565, 585, 595, 636.
Library of Congress: 19, 33, 77, 104, 395, 414.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration: 182.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 193, 307.
viii
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GENERAL SCIENCE,
MATHEMATICS, AND
TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
What is the difference between science and technology?
Science and technology are related disciplines, but have different goals. The basic goal
of science is to acquire a fundamental knowledge of the natural world. Outcomes of
scientific research are the theorems, laws, and equations that explain the natural
world. It is often described as a pure science. Technology is the quest to solve prob-
lems in the natural world with the ultimate goal of improving humankind’s control of
their environment. Technology is, therefore, often described as applied science; apply-
ing the laws of science to specific problems. The distinction between science and tech-
nology blurs since many times researchers investigating a scientific problem will dis-
cover a practical application for the knowledge they acquire.
What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is the basis of scientific investigation. A scientist will pose a
question and formulate a hypothesis as a potential explanation or answer to the ques-
tion. The hypothesis will be tested through a series of experiments. The results of the
experiments will either prove or disprove the hypothesis. Hypotheses that are consis-
tent with available data are conditionally accepted.
What are the steps of the scientific method?
Research scientists follow these steps:
1. State a hypothesis.
2. Design an experiment to “prove” the hypothesis. 1