The Handy Science Answer Book

The Handy Answer Book

by James E. Bobick (Editor), Naomi Balaban (Editor)

Informative, easy-to-use guide to everyday science questions, concepts and fundamentals celebrates its twenty-fifth year and over one million copies sold!Science is everywhere, and it affects everything! DNA and CRISPR. Artificial sweeteners. Sea level changes caused by melting glaciers. Gravitational waves. Bees in a colony. The human body. Microplastics. The largest active volcano. Designer dog breeds. Molecules. The length of the Grand Canyon. Viruses and retroviruses. The weight of a cloud. Forces, motion, energy, and inertia. It can often seem complex and complicated, but it need not be so difficult to understand. The thoroughly updated and completely revised fifth edition of The Handy Science Answer Book makes science and its impact on the world fun and easy to understand.

Clear, concise, and straightforward, this informative primer covers hundreds of intriguing topics, from the basics of math, physics, and chemistry to the discoveries being made about the human body, stars, outer space, rivers, mountains, and our entire planet. It covers plants, animals, computers, planes, trains, and cars. This friendly resource answers more than 1,600 of the most frequently asked, most interesting, and most unusual science questions, including ...

When was a symbol for the concept of zero first used? How large is a google? Why do golf balls have dimples? What is a chemical bond? What is a light-year? What was the grand finale of the Cassini mission? How many exoplanets have been discovered? Where is the deepest cave in the United States? How long is the Grand Canyon? What is the difference between weather and climate? What causes a red tide? What is cell cloning and how is it used in scientific research? How did humans evolve? Do pine trees keep their needles forever? What is the most abundant group of organisms? How do insects survive the winter in cold climates? Which animals drink seawater? Why do geese fly in formation? What is FrogWatch? Why do cats’ eyes shine in the dark? Which industries release the most toxic chemicals? What causes most wildfires in the United States? Which woman received the Nobel Prize in two different fields (two different years)? What is the difference between science and technology?

For anyone wanting to know how the universe, Earth, plants, animals, and human beings work and fit into our world, this informative book also includes a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. It will help anyone’s science questions!

Genres: Science, Reference, Nonfiction, Biology, Childrens, Nature, Evolution

1066 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Alanna]

I really want to read this book.

[Lafcadio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is faded and the edges of the pages are well-worn. I use this book at least once a week to look something up, and sometimes I just open to a random page and start reading. This book has done me well.

[Hanako · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book when I was a child! Everything from how many dimples a golf ball has to what is a singularity. I think this contributed to my nerdiness.

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good informational book for children

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sets out to do what it’s intended, but by this point the information is very outdated. Still, it’s an interesting snapshot of science as it stood in the early 1990s in comparison to how it’s changed to today. The book also covers a wide variety of scientific achievements and does its best to recognize less well-known discoveries or breakthroughs. Additionally, it has a decent sense of humor occasionally while spewing facts every which way. Regardless, it’s not intended for modern use.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Handy Science Answer Book (4th Ed.)
The Handy Science Answer Book (4th Ed.)
by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Using as a resource for my science class, has a simplified description of terminology. Unfortunately wish there were more answers on geology so i can use it more with my class presentations.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty informative and interesting, but there are a few typos and inconsistencies that bring it down a bit. It's slightly dated but that's inevitable, seeing as it was made 30 years ago.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Item Title: The Carnegie Library of Pittsburg. (2011). The handy science answer book. (4th ed.). Canton, MI: Visible Ink.

Citation created by: Michele Powell

Format: Handbook

Call Number: 500 HAN

Description: An updated version that includes 2,200 questions and answers about scientific topics.

Professional Review: Faust, T.R. (2011). Reviews [Review of the book The handy science answer book, by The Carnegie Library of Pittsburg]. Library Journal 136(10), 122-128.

Relevance and Relationship: This book would be appropriate for the collection analyzed during my field experience because it would provide students with an educational trivia book, that is not currently in the collection. Print edition is very affordable at $21.95.

Purpose: The purpose of this reference is to support student’s scientific inquiries. Appropriate for grades 4-12.

Validity: Reviewed and recommended in Library Journal.

Format: Print and e-book available.

Arrangement and Presentation: Question and answer format, divided by scientific disciplines, includes photographs, illustrations, and charts, and an extensive index.

Diversity: The presentation of material helps met the needs of struggling readers.

[David Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was offered this book for Christmas and I've really enjoyed every word of it.
Well presented with many different Science & Tech. topics, each answered in clear and simple sentences. It has even helped me out for a Geology project at University.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've perused the latest edition. Would take several months to read the whole thing because it's all facts. However, I'm thinking of buying this to keep around the house for grandkids to use and it's interesting in small doses.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helps if you have a common question about science and lots of information on things you would never think about.

[Jennifer Krieger]

Did not finish

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was OK. If you read a text book you will get the same results.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

i didn't read this cover to cover, but did read most if it/what I felt I needed to know. Pretty interesting stuff :)
(I read this as part of my studying for my MTEL General Science test.)

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over and over as a kid. I was fascinated by the quirky questions and surprising answers. I dare to say that I would not have been as good of a science student, if not for this book.

[Cws]

J500Sci

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handy for anyone ever stumped by the questions children often ask regarding science.