Back-of-the-Envelope Physics

by Clifford Swartz

The author is the winner of the 2007 Melba Newell Phillips Award given by the American Association of Physics Teachers. Previously, he was awarded their Oersted Medal. Physicists use "back-of-the-envelope" estimates to check whether or not an idea could possibly be right. In many cases, the approximate solution is all that is needed. This compilation of 101 examples of back-of-the-envelope calculations celebrates a quantitative approach to solving physics problems. Drawing on a lifetime of physics research and nearly three decades as the editor of The Physics Teacher , Clifford Swartz provides simple, approximate solutions to physics problems that span a broad range of topics. What note do you get when you blow across the top of a Coke bottle? Could you lose weight on a diet of ice cubes? How can a fakir lie on a bed of nails without getting hurt? Does draining water in the northern hemisphere really swirl in a different direction than its counterpart below the equator? In each case, only a few lines of arithmetic and a few natural constants solve a problem to within a few percent. Covering such subjects as astronomy, magnetism, optics, sound, heat, mechanics, waves, and electricity, the book provides a rich source of material for teachers and anyone interested in the physics of everyday life.

Genres: Physics, Science, Textbooks, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2003

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Physics Order of Magnitude Calculations

This is a nice volume that does not shy from using math and is extended Fermi style problems. It covers a variety of problem types covering mechanics, thermodynamics, and electronagnetism. Fun read that helps you see gow much you physics you can apply with a little knowledge.

[David]

Very physics oriented compared to other estimation books.