Return of Gonzo Gizmos More Projects & Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek

by Field, Simon Quellen

• ISBN13: 9781556526107
• ISBN10: 1556526105
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Summary

This fresh collection of more than 20 science projectsfrom hydrogen fuel cells to computer-controlled radio transmittersis perfect for the tireless tinkerer. Innovative activities include taking detailed plant cell photographs through a microscope using a disposable camera; building a rocket engine out of aluminum foil, paper clips, and kitchen matches; and constructing a geodesic dome out of gumdrops and barbecue skewers. Organized by scientific topic, each chapter includes explanations of the physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics behind the projects. Most of the devices can be built using common household products or components available at hardware or electronic stores, and each experiment contains illustrated step-by-step instructions with photographs and diagrams that make construction easy. No workbench warrior, science teacher, or grown-up geek should be without this idea-filled resource.

Author Biography

Simon Quellen Field is the author of Gonzo Gizmos and creator of the popular website www.scitoys.com. He lives in Los Gatos, California.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Thoughts on Safety	ix
Chemistry	1	(18)
Hydrogen Fuel Cell	1	(6)
Mirrors and Liquid Metal Alloys	7	(5)
Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker	12	(7)
Aerodynamics	19	(32)
Bernoulli Ball	19	(9)
Vacuum Pump	28	(8)
Combination Vacuum and Pressure Pump	36	(4)
Propeller Toy	40	(5)
Rocket Engine	45	(6)
Electricity and Magnetism	51	(12)
Ring Launcher	51	(4)
Rail Gun	55	(8)
Computers and Electronics	63	(40)
Computer-Controlled Radio Transmitter	63	(10)
Computer-Controlled Laser Data Transmitter	73	(11)
Fun with Solderless Breadboards	84	(6)
1-Watt Audio Amplifier	90	(6)
Integrated Circuit Audio Amplifier	96	(7)
Mathematics	103	(22)
Kaleidocycle	103	(7)
Geodesic Dome	110	(9)
Paper Geodesic Dome	119	(6)
Biology	125	(20)
Photography Through a Microscope	125	(11)
Video Through a Microscope	136	(1)
Using a Video Camera as a Microscope	137	(1)
Listening to Electric Fish	138	(7)
Index	145