The Physics Behind...

by Russ Swan

Can you really lose weight by consuming nothing but ice cream and beer? How does the latest blockbuster movie get squeezed onto a disk, and how do they make the pictures seem 3D? How much does a selfie weigh? What's the science behind forensic investigations, body scans, and the dating of ancient artefacts?

The Physics Behind... takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the scientific principles that that make the modern world work. Could there be life on Mars? Why is north really south? How do self-driving cars find their way around? These and many more topics are explored by starting with the basic science that makes them tick - examining the physics behind them. Packed with detailed original artwork and infographics, The Physics Behind... is perfect for anyone who has ever been curious about the science of life.

Including:
- The physics behind modern life: Wi-Fi, Facial recognition, touchscreens, microwave ovens, the ice cream and beer diet, taking a selfie, Flash memory, a bag of sugar, catching the train, calendars and clocks
- The physics behind entertainment: optical discs, lasers, white water, executive toys, the electric guitar, music, 3D movies
- The physics behind analysis: medical imaging, looking at little things, spectroscopy, crime scene investigation, tricorder, microfluidics, radiocarbon dating, proving the Earth is round
- The physics behind space: rocket science, space weather, Planet Nine, space telescopes, is there anybody out there? life on Earth, life on Mars
- The physics behind big science: what's the matter?, time travel, bomb or meltdown?, the Large Hadron Collider, the Human Genome Project, the Standard Model, gravity, everything
- The physics behind the weird universe: strings, rings and other things, N-dimensional space, the hypercube, antimatter, the dark universe, quantum weirdness, quantum biology, time crystals and Majorana
- The physics behind the environment: weather forecasts, climate change, renewable energy, migration, peacock feathers, sunburn, rainbows, spider silk
- The physics behind transportation: autonomous autos, Hyperloop, Maglev, satellite navigation, motor sport, going rreeaallllyy fast, stealth
- The physics behind everything else: curve balls, the Mpemba Effect, why north is really south, perpetual motion and the heat death of the universe, and the physics behind this book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2018

About the author

Russ Swan is a journalist, editor, and author. He lives in Nottinghamshire, UK, and consequently has a mild obsession with Robin Hood. He also likes motorbikes and springer spaniels.

Reviews

[Patrick Neylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As simple guides to physics go, this takes some beating. Everyday phenomena are described in simple, two-page analyses that could work for readers of any age, from maybe ten to adult. The cartoon-based style makes it look a bit like a children's book, but the science is sound.

Given the generally poor understanding of physics in the general population, it will be valuable to adults with even the slightest curiosity and who don't have the time to spend hours studying.

Topics range from the esoteric to the practical: what is a kilogram? How do CDs and DVDs work? Why does hot water cool faster than cold?

I gave a copy to the cast and crew of a science-based play I directed, and they all loved it (at least, the ones who read it and told me).

*Ethics alert: I've known Russ Swan for about 20 years through an online journalists' forum. If this was a bad book, I simply wouldn't review it out of courtesy to a friend. I've done something similar with another friend who wrote a fairly poor novel. And I wouldn't give it as a present if it wasn't any good.

[WiseB · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are someone who has high school physics class and wonder what you have learned that has anything useful in your life ... you should really read this book. Just browse the Contents of the book, it is organised into nine sections with each containing topics (2-3 pages each with diagrams and annotations) on actual real life stuff (though not everyone has the chance to experience all). One can sequentially go through all or pick those you are interested in, then read that topic ... each will relate back to some parts of physics to explain why it is like that in our routine or modern life.

Examples from these sections include ... touchscreens, 3D movies, medical imaging, space telescopes, quantum biology, sunburn, satellite navigation, curve balls.

[Raymond Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that tries to give an explanation for some of the basic concepts of physics. Each topic is covered in less than 4 pages, and are covered with diagrams and illustrations that help you understand the content better.

I find some of the explanations in this book are a bit technical, and it would be better if a few of the topics are given more pages. However, I feel that it is a good book if you want a brief overview on physics.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely presented but little new or unusual

[Victory Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific read. I enjoyed myself while flipping through the pages. My only qualm is this: for some of the topics, one or two pages of an explanation was not nearly enough for me to understand how it worked. I would get to the bottom of the page, flip it and expect more, but not find it supplied. This, I'm assuming, is a consequence of the whimsical, explain-in-two-pages-or-less format the book was aiming for, which worked fine for most all the subjects. There were only a handful I felt needed more. Otherwise, it's well-written, honest, and funny around the edges. There's an understanding that we're all getting our minds blown here and I am pleased to have chosen this book to help me do just that.

[David Scholey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I used to hate physics lessons at school, all science classes for that matter. Despite this I found this book fascinating. If things had been taught this way at school I might have actually enjoyed science. I recommend this to everyone

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

god this was sooo much better than The Maths Behind.

[Jbussen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea, but BORING! My dad was a physics professor, he echoed my sentiments.