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Why? Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions
Why? Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions gets to grips with concepts that appear simple and straightforward, but which most people, when asked, really can’t explain. Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet? Why do we need sleep? Why are there 24 hours in a day? For each question, author Joel Levy provides a simple, single line answer followed by more in-depth information about the scientific background on these essential topics. The book spans physics, biology, chemistry, geology, geography, meteorology, paleontology and planetary science – allowing readers to wow friends and family alike with pithy answers to the obvious questions they never thought to ask.
- GenresNonfictionScience
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Joel Levy
141 books63 followersJoel Levy is a writer and journalist specializing in science and history. He is the author of over a dozen books, including The Little Book of Conspiracies and Scientific Feuds: From Galileo to the Human Genome Project.
Phobiapedia
is his first book for children.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 13, 2017
If you’re a parent or teacher, you probably are asked “why questions” by young people several dozen times each day. Why can’t we hear dog whistles? Why does the wind blow? Why is there no life on Mars? Why does E=mc2? Why? Why? Why?
If you are dealing with such questions daily, then you’ll be pleased to find some help in this recent reprint of Joel Levy’s children’s book, Why?: Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions [Zest Books; Reprint edition, 2013].
This 192-page book contains 54 essays in three main scientific topics areas — nature and the Earth (18), the human body and mind (17), and physics and space (19). The title of each essay is a deceptively simple “why question” that most people have either asked or wondered about at some point in their lives, and it is answered in one clearly written sentence. This concise answer is then followed by a longer article that more fully explores the question and some of its nuances. The essay, which ranges from several hundred words to perhaps as many as 2,000 words in length, is informative, educational and intellectually satisfying.
Several essays are particularly thought-provoking. For example, the essay, “Why are men bigger than women?” (Pp. 105–110), discusses several hypotheses, including the “women are smaller than men” hypothesis. This idea proposes that it’s not men who are bigger than women, but rather, it’s women who are smaller than men. According to this idea, since girls reach puberty earlier than boys, their growth is halted earlier. But reaching puberty earlier is evolutionarily selected because even though early-maturing women are physically smaller than men, they have more years of fertility than their taller sisters — which translates into the tendency to produce more babies during their lifetimes.
I also enjoyed reading why time only moves forward (Pp. 151–153) — an intriguing phenomenon based both in the laws of entropy and in the cosmological arrow of time. This essay also mentions that, if the universe ultimately contracts, time might actually move backwards. Of course, the essay about why ice floats (Pp. 163–166) was illuminating since it clearly explains how this rare but important characteristic of water makes life possible on Earth. But of all the essays I read, “Why did the dinosaurs die out?” (Pp. 38–41), was particularly impressive: although none of this was new information to me, the way it was packaged and described was riveting, making me wonder how anything survived.
Each article features unassuming prose and interesting titbits that pull the reader in and keep her interested throughout the entire book. Although this book could benefit from an update that reflects the newest discoveries (especially the essay about why we sleep [Pp. 80–81]), it includes a plethora of unusual and quirky facts, such as; tigers use infrasound to stun their prey; the oldest animal ever discovered was a quahog clam, which was over 405 years old when it was fished out of the ocean near Iceland; sea slugs that eat algae can assimilate their chlorophyll-containing plastids, which then allows sea slugs to survive for months via photosynthesis rather than by eating. This essay might cause the alert reader ask: “Why can’t humans photosynthesise?” (Yes, this question is addressed also [Pp. 110–112]).
Of course, there’s lots of offbeat facts about humans too, for example; humans and potatoes have the same number of chromosomes; human memory is estimated to be capable of holding around 2.5 gigabytes (which translates into 3 million hours of television programs — more than even the average American views in a lifetime) and if the average person’s mass was converted entirely into energy, it would yield more power than 30 nuclear bombs.
Most essays include a diagram or two that augment the written material without being overly complicated or burdensome. The book also includes two pages listing websites for selected references, another two pages for a bibliography of books, and a seven-page index (which I didn’t find to be particularly useful).
Although the theme of this book is not original — there are plenty of similar books out there — it is well-researched and clearly written. Despite being targeted especially to children from 12 years of age and up, this book provides a fascinating initiation into science and the information serves as a platform for further discussion. For this reason, the essays could provide valuable supplemental readings for classroom settings. Further, it is my opinion that adults — most of whom have forgotten so much from their years in school — will also enjoy this engaging book, whether they read an essay or two whilst riding the subway or if they end up reading the entire book in one sitting.
NOTE: Originally published at The Guardian on 4 November 2013.
If you are dealing with such questions daily, then you’ll be pleased to find some help in this recent reprint of Joel Levy’s children’s book, Why?: Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions [Zest Books; Reprint edition, 2013].
This 192-page book contains 54 essays in three main scientific topics areas — nature and the Earth (18), the human body and mind (17), and physics and space (19). The title of each essay is a deceptively simple “why question” that most people have either asked or wondered about at some point in their lives, and it is answered in one clearly written sentence. This concise answer is then followed by a longer article that more fully explores the question and some of its nuances. The essay, which ranges from several hundred words to perhaps as many as 2,000 words in length, is informative, educational and intellectually satisfying.
Several essays are particularly thought-provoking. For example, the essay, “Why are men bigger than women?” (Pp. 105–110), discusses several hypotheses, including the “women are smaller than men” hypothesis. This idea proposes that it’s not men who are bigger than women, but rather, it’s women who are smaller than men. According to this idea, since girls reach puberty earlier than boys, their growth is halted earlier. But reaching puberty earlier is evolutionarily selected because even though early-maturing women are physically smaller than men, they have more years of fertility than their taller sisters — which translates into the tendency to produce more babies during their lifetimes.
I also enjoyed reading why time only moves forward (Pp. 151–153) — an intriguing phenomenon based both in the laws of entropy and in the cosmological arrow of time. This essay also mentions that, if the universe ultimately contracts, time might actually move backwards. Of course, the essay about why ice floats (Pp. 163–166) was illuminating since it clearly explains how this rare but important characteristic of water makes life possible on Earth. But of all the essays I read, “Why did the dinosaurs die out?” (Pp. 38–41), was particularly impressive: although none of this was new information to me, the way it was packaged and described was riveting, making me wonder how anything survived.
Each article features unassuming prose and interesting titbits that pull the reader in and keep her interested throughout the entire book. Although this book could benefit from an update that reflects the newest discoveries (especially the essay about why we sleep [Pp. 80–81]), it includes a plethora of unusual and quirky facts, such as; tigers use infrasound to stun their prey; the oldest animal ever discovered was a quahog clam, which was over 405 years old when it was fished out of the ocean near Iceland; sea slugs that eat algae can assimilate their chlorophyll-containing plastids, which then allows sea slugs to survive for months via photosynthesis rather than by eating. This essay might cause the alert reader ask: “Why can’t humans photosynthesise?” (Yes, this question is addressed also [Pp. 110–112]).
Of course, there’s lots of offbeat facts about humans too, for example; humans and potatoes have the same number of chromosomes; human memory is estimated to be capable of holding around 2.5 gigabytes (which translates into 3 million hours of television programs — more than even the average American views in a lifetime) and if the average person’s mass was converted entirely into energy, it would yield more power than 30 nuclear bombs.
Most essays include a diagram or two that augment the written material without being overly complicated or burdensome. The book also includes two pages listing websites for selected references, another two pages for a bibliography of books, and a seven-page index (which I didn’t find to be particularly useful).
Although the theme of this book is not original — there are plenty of similar books out there — it is well-researched and clearly written. Despite being targeted especially to children from 12 years of age and up, this book provides a fascinating initiation into science and the information serves as a platform for further discussion. For this reason, the essays could provide valuable supplemental readings for classroom settings. Further, it is my opinion that adults — most of whom have forgotten so much from their years in school — will also enjoy this engaging book, whether they read an essay or two whilst riding the subway or if they end up reading the entire book in one sitting.
NOTE: Originally published at The Guardian on 4 November 2013.
April 16, 2021
I read this book back in 2014 or something. Read it again to feel smart. It was nice: it had basic (but good) answers to questions most children probably ask. The questions ranged from simple to more complicated, but the answers were easy to understand. Some questions were straight-up weird though.
Ex.: “Why are babies and puppies considered universally cute?”. The answer made sense, but it was based on some people’s opinions on cuteness. The book went on about how humans are hardwired to think baby humans and animals are cute because of their small features. Not sure if I 100% believe this. Plus, it was written that “if a young woman sees a baby, her pupils dilate, and it takes just a seventh of a second for parts of her brain involved with feelings you get when you see something you really like to light up,” (Levy 119). This may be scientifically correct, although I am skeptical of it. This is specific towards a woman who likes babies, and who thinks they are cute, but written in a way where the message is that every woman likes babies.
The other answers were good, but 4 stars because there could’ve been more to that question. (This may just be me but I’m getting ‘Source: trust me’ vibes. There were citations, but all from very old books (latest was 2011). Also, the book was written in 2012 (the edition I have is the first edition published in USA though (2013)).
Ex.: “Why are babies and puppies considered universally cute?”. The answer made sense, but it was based on some people’s opinions on cuteness. The book went on about how humans are hardwired to think baby humans and animals are cute because of their small features. Not sure if I 100% believe this. Plus, it was written that “if a young woman sees a baby, her pupils dilate, and it takes just a seventh of a second for parts of her brain involved with feelings you get when you see something you really like to light up,” (Levy 119). This may be scientifically correct, although I am skeptical of it. This is specific towards a woman who likes babies, and who thinks they are cute, but written in a way where the message is that every woman likes babies.
The other answers were good, but 4 stars because there could’ve been more to that question. (This may just be me but I’m getting ‘Source: trust me’ vibes. There were citations, but all from very old books (latest was 2011). Also, the book was written in 2012 (the edition I have is the first edition published in USA though (2013)).
July 11, 2020
The book contains over 50 questions explaining some scientific theories, concepts and principles behind everyday life.
Inspiring quotes:
“Our knowledge can only be finite, while our ignorance must necessarily be infinite”
“It is better to ask some questions than to know all of the answers”
Inspiring quotes:
“Our knowledge can only be finite, while our ignorance must necessarily be infinite”
“It is better to ask some questions than to know all of the answers”
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Why? by Joel Levy is an interesting book that answers 50 scientific questions with respect and without pandering to the reader. This isn't necessarily a childrens/teens book; rather, the way the questions are presented are intelligently answered makes it an interesting read for adults as well. I found it fascinating to have these deceptively simple but universally asked questions answered in a way that is both edifying and yet interesting.
The questions are broken down into the following chapters: Nature and Earth (e.g., Why do things burn? Why is the sea salty?), The Human Body and Mind (e.g., Why do we get old? Why do we feel pain?), and Phsyics and Space (e.g., Why do lightbulbls light up? Why does ice float?). Each chapter poses a question, answer it succinctly in one sentence or so, and then explains the answer. For questions with no definitive answer (e.g., Why do we sleep?), the author gives the leading theories as to the answer. Interspersed in the answers are tidbits and interesting factoids (e.g., how many volcanos are erupting as you read this sentence (20).
I've really enjoyed discussing these with my 10 year old. The book is arranged so that it makes it easy to work on one question every few days. Some of the concepts may go over her head (the author presents the answers in levels of complexity) but it gets her thinking and really exploring the world around her.
In all, fascinating reading. Received as an ARC from the publisher.
January 27, 2016
3.5 Stars
A great book for children who have a curious nature or who enjoy science. Some of the content is interesting and I learned a few things myself.
Good questions and chapters such as
Why is the Universe Expanding?
Why does the wind blow?
Why does Iron Rust?
Why does water freeze?
Why do things burn?
There a few odd questions that don't seem to belong in a science book though, especially "Why are babies and puppies seen as universally cute?"
There's this weird bit thrown in there too:
"Cute babies get more attention and are more likely to be looked after. Babies with tiny eyes, flat foreheads, and square faces unfortunately tend to get less attention."
I took off a star s the nonfiction book opens with a bible quote of all things, and then disagrees with it. The scripture it uses isn't even talking about not questioning things of science necessarily, is taken out of context, and the book quotes it without listing the scripture it's quoting from. It seems in poor taste to me.
It also makes clear that in the chapter on the greenhouse effect that if we continue at our current rate, the earth will not be inhabitable in a few centuries. It does not put in beyond this that it is very unlikely we would continue with the same usage, since very likely we will not be as dependent on the same fuel sources as heavily for the next hundred years.
Questions range from easy and clear such as Why do Apples Fall down, to more complex ones like "Why does E=mc2?" (I can't do the right 2 symbol on here...)
The book is divided into three segments - Nature and the Earth, The Human Body and Mind, Physics and Space.
Not perfect, but a good gift for young scientists and children if you run into it, especially with Christmas around the corner.
A great book for children who have a curious nature or who enjoy science. Some of the content is interesting and I learned a few things myself.
Good questions and chapters such as
Why is the Universe Expanding?
Why does the wind blow?
Why does Iron Rust?
Why does water freeze?
Why do things burn?
There a few odd questions that don't seem to belong in a science book though, especially "Why are babies and puppies seen as universally cute?"
There's this weird bit thrown in there too:
"Cute babies get more attention and are more likely to be looked after. Babies with tiny eyes, flat foreheads, and square faces unfortunately tend to get less attention."
I took off a star s the nonfiction book opens with a bible quote of all things, and then disagrees with it. The scripture it uses isn't even talking about not questioning things of science necessarily, is taken out of context, and the book quotes it without listing the scripture it's quoting from. It seems in poor taste to me.
It also makes clear that in the chapter on the greenhouse effect that if we continue at our current rate, the earth will not be inhabitable in a few centuries. It does not put in beyond this that it is very unlikely we would continue with the same usage, since very likely we will not be as dependent on the same fuel sources as heavily for the next hundred years.
Questions range from easy and clear such as Why do Apples Fall down, to more complex ones like "Why does E=mc2?" (I can't do the right 2 symbol on here...)
The book is divided into three segments - Nature and the Earth, The Human Body and Mind, Physics and Space.
Not perfect, but a good gift for young scientists and children if you run into it, especially with Christmas around the corner.
November 6, 2013
Have you ever wondered why trees drop their leaves in the fall, why the wind blows, or why ice floats? The answers to these and other common questions about the world around us can be found in Joel Levy’s Why? Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions.
Why? answers more than 50 questions in three broad categories: Nature and the Earth, the Human Body and Mind, and Physics and Space. While I found a few explanations to be a bit complicated, most give an explanation that young adults as well as adults will find easy to understand. When the science is unsettled on certain matters, Levy says so. For instance, in the section titled, Why Do We Sleep?, Levy starts with the explanation, “We sleep to recharge our energy and give our brains breathing room so they can rewire themselves.” As he goes on to further explain, he says, “At least, this is the dominant theory right now.”
While all the questions are interesting and the answers may come in handy during a test or while chit chatting at a party, some are more amusing than others, such as the questions about why humans can’t eat grass, why we forget, and why babies and puppies are universally considered cute.
Why? is a great book for families with kids aged 12 and over to keep around and read a question and it’s answer at the dinner table on a regular basis. Curious kids and adults will enjoy reading it as well as having as a reference.
The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Why? answers more than 50 questions in three broad categories: Nature and the Earth, the Human Body and Mind, and Physics and Space. While I found a few explanations to be a bit complicated, most give an explanation that young adults as well as adults will find easy to understand. When the science is unsettled on certain matters, Levy says so. For instance, in the section titled, Why Do We Sleep?, Levy starts with the explanation, “We sleep to recharge our energy and give our brains breathing room so they can rewire themselves.” As he goes on to further explain, he says, “At least, this is the dominant theory right now.”
While all the questions are interesting and the answers may come in handy during a test or while chit chatting at a party, some are more amusing than others, such as the questions about why humans can’t eat grass, why we forget, and why babies and puppies are universally considered cute.
Why? is a great book for families with kids aged 12 and over to keep around and read a question and it’s answer at the dinner table on a regular basis. Curious kids and adults will enjoy reading it as well as having as a reference.
The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2014
Many people wonder about answers to some of life’s most basic questions, such as “Why the sky is blue?”, which can be answered from textbooks and in science classrooms and seem geared to younger, middle grade readers. Yet there are many more basic yet complicated questions like, “Why does time only move forward?”, which need more of an in-depth explanation for understanding.
Why? Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions is an interesting book. It covers a range of topics from geology and psychology, to cosmology and chemistry from the mundane to the esoteric. Readers will find just as interesting as the questions how the author has decided to answer them—by using several layers of explanation to build comprehension bit by bit.
Each answer begins with a one-line explanation before giving more detail and, in some instances, challenging the basic premise of the question. Some answers also incorporate illuminating and fun trivia to help with understanding. There are also pictures and graphs where needed.
This 192-page book is for young adults. Readers who are curious and open-minded will enjoy reading, learning, and sharing the answers to many of these questions. Though the book certainly doesn’t cover every possible question and though some explanations are proximate, it does incorporate a variety of captivating information. If this book does nothing else it will encourage readers to ask the question “Why?” more often.
Why? Answers to Everyday Scientific Questions is an interesting book. It covers a range of topics from geology and psychology, to cosmology and chemistry from the mundane to the esoteric. Readers will find just as interesting as the questions how the author has decided to answer them—by using several layers of explanation to build comprehension bit by bit.
Each answer begins with a one-line explanation before giving more detail and, in some instances, challenging the basic premise of the question. Some answers also incorporate illuminating and fun trivia to help with understanding. There are also pictures and graphs where needed.
This 192-page book is for young adults. Readers who are curious and open-minded will enjoy reading, learning, and sharing the answers to many of these questions. Though the book certainly doesn’t cover every possible question and though some explanations are proximate, it does incorporate a variety of captivating information. If this book does nothing else it will encourage readers to ask the question “Why?” more often.
September 29, 2013
WHY? ANSWERS TO EVERYDAY SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS by Joel Levy is a very interesting Young Adult non-fiction/Science & Nature/General from start to finish. Age: 12+,grade level: 7+. With questions such as: Why is water wet?,Why My Cell Phone loses its signal?,Why is the sky blue?, Why can we not eat grass? These are only a few questions you will find simple, concise,straightforward answers to. The Q&A range from the ordinary to difficult and from various subjects such as geology,chemistry,geography,biology, physics,meteorology,paleontology, and planetary science, I may have missed one or two subjects. This, to me was an outstanding,well thought out, title with a few fun tidbits included,some trivia and explanations. I had forgotten so much from school. This is an excellent resource for not only parents, and grandparents but for educators as well as anyone who enjoys answers to obvious questions you ever thought to ask. Loved it! Highly recommend this title! It has over 50 questions and answers packed into a little over 180 pages. It has the question,the answer with an explanation after each question. Powerful and enjoyable! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: NONE(NON-FICTION)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: NONE(NON-FICTION)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
March 21, 2014
This book is both a wonderful gateway to a world I have yet to learn about and a testament to the suckiness of our schools...(see, I just used suckiness). I have become interested in science lately (mostly due to COSI, I won't lie) and I saw this book in the new area of my library (though it's actually a reprint of an older title) and it grabbed me--why happens to be one of my favorite questions and I knew this would be my type of book. I found later that it was a young adult title..well then.... So I know I have gaps in my knowledge (chasms actually) but that's mostly by choice--if something does not interest me, I won't learn it. This book would have been really helpful to a young me--hell, it was helpful to the old me. Aside from being annoying for a few weeks (Oh my gosh, did you know the moon was made out of stuff that crashed into the earth? do you know the earth once had more than one moon? and so on and so on. This little gem is packed with that kind of information. The stuff I loved about science before all the math came in (I admit, I struggled a bit with the physics section) and it's explained so that anyone can understand it. I learned so much --just from this tiny book--it's very humbling. I want to own it so I if I forget anything I can look it up!
October 1, 2013
This is a sort of decent science book in Q&A format aimed at elementary and middle grade readers. The "chapters" are questions organized by theme. Sample questions include:
Why does my cell phone lose its signal?
Why does it rain?
Why can't we photosynthesize?
I was completely put off by the Biblical quote that opens the introduction. Even though the author claims to "respectfully disagree" with the quotation, Scripture really does not belong in the introduction of a science book for children. Including this was a major misstep on the part of the editor, in my opinion.
Otherwise, my librarian self chafes at the lack of references in each "chapter." There are some references in the appendix, but they aren't linked to the scientific questions, and they are so broad as to be unusable as references (sample reference - ScienceDaily: sciencedaily.com). Basic nonfiction books like this are a great place for authors to model to young students that sources are used and should be credited. Joel Levy didn't do middle school teachers any favors by laying out his book this way.
I will give credit where credit is due, however - the index rocks!
Thanks to netgalley for providing the e-ARC.
Why does my cell phone lose its signal?
Why does it rain?
Why can't we photosynthesize?
I was completely put off by the Biblical quote that opens the introduction. Even though the author claims to "respectfully disagree" with the quotation, Scripture really does not belong in the introduction of a science book for children. Including this was a major misstep on the part of the editor, in my opinion.
Otherwise, my librarian self chafes at the lack of references in each "chapter." There are some references in the appendix, but they aren't linked to the scientific questions, and they are so broad as to be unusable as references (sample reference - ScienceDaily: sciencedaily.com). Basic nonfiction books like this are a great place for authors to model to young students that sources are used and should be credited. Joel Levy didn't do middle school teachers any favors by laying out his book this way.
I will give credit where credit is due, however - the index rocks!
Thanks to netgalley for providing the e-ARC.
October 25, 2013
This is a good book aimed at young readers, perfect for those interested in science or just naturally curious about all things.
There were a couple of good chapters in this book, definitely interesting to read and even taught/clarified a few things for me. Even though there were some good chapters, there were others that didn't seem necessary in this book. The chapter on why are puppies/babies considered cute just seemed weird and unnecessary. Even the chapters that were good sometimes got a little lengthy, it might be difficult for younger readers to stay connected with the book and keep reading.
That being said, this is still a good book for young readers interested in scientific questions.
I received this book for review purposes via NetGalley.
There were a couple of good chapters in this book, definitely interesting to read and even taught/clarified a few things for me. Even though there were some good chapters, there were others that didn't seem necessary in this book. The chapter on why are puppies/babies considered cute just seemed weird and unnecessary. Even the chapters that were good sometimes got a little lengthy, it might be difficult for younger readers to stay connected with the book and keep reading.
That being said, this is still a good book for young readers interested in scientific questions.
I received this book for review purposes via NetGalley.
October 30, 2013
This is the perfect gift for the preteen or teen on your Christmas list. The avid reader will pounce on it, a reluctant reader for find something in the table of contents to perk their interest. Gives great information in short format to satisfy everyone but not overwhelm. Great questions answered for everyone.
October 3, 2014
it is a good book ...i love this book ..this book can help many ways to students and teacher. i can take the responsibility to preach out this book in the world.
July 23, 2016
I love learning new things,
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews