Touch This! Conceptual Physics for Everyone

by Hewitt, Paul G.

• ISBN13: 9780321051622
• ISBN10: 0321051629
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-03
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Strengthen the reader's knowledge of physics to better discuss the basic laws of science with anyone. bull; bull; A focus on the basics of physics gives the reader a strong foundation to build an understanding of science as a whole. bull; Author-drawn cartoons explain difficult concepts and make learning physics fun and less intimidating. bull; Gives a strong foundation on which to build an understanding of science as a whole. If we teach children the basic laws of science correctly, it will build a strong foundation for learning science in the future. This book is Paul Hewitt's vision of how to explain these basic concepts to children. Only the attuned ear can fully appreciate a Beethoven symphony; only the cultivated palette can fully appreciate a fine Bordeaux; and only the mind that is familiar with the rules can fully appreciate the physical world. How fortunate is a child who is influenced by a knowledgeable teacher. Therefore, a knowledgeable teacher can be akin to a fine chef who supplies savory and healthful ingredients to what might have otherwise be a bland soup. This book was written for a general audience and assumes no prior knowledge of physics or mathematics. It contains author-drawn cartoons explain difficult concepts and make learning physics fun and less intimidating and explains such concepts as speed, friction, gravity, energy, and motion. Paul Hewitt was a Silver Medalist Flyweight Boxing Champion for New England States at the age of 17. He was then a cartoonist, sign painter, and uranium prospector before beginning his physics studies. Conceptual Physics was first published in 1971 while Hewitt was teaching at City College of San Francisco. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Santa Cruz, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and most recently at the Universlty of Hawaii at Hilo. Currently, Hewitt enjoys teaching at the City College of San Francisco and at San Francisco's science museum, The Exploratorium.

Author Biography

Paul G. Hewitt was a Silver Medallist Flyweight Boxing Champion for New England States at the age of 17. He was then a cartoonist, sign painter, and uranium prospector before beginning his physics studies. Currently, Hewitt enjoys teaching at the City College of San Francisco and at San Francisco's science museum, The Exploratorium

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vi
Physics Dictionary	vii
Preface	ix
Being in Equilibrium	1	(13)
Equilibrium	4	(3)
Vectors	7	(3)
The Sailboat	10	(2)
Tension, Compression, Arches and Domes	12	(2)
Linear Motion	14	(23)
Speed	16	(1)
Speed Is Relative	17	(1)
Velocity	18	(2)
The Usefulness of Equations in Problem Solving	20	(1)
Acceleration	21	(4)
Free Fall---How Fast?	25	(3)
How Far?	28	(3)
Hang Time	31	(2)
Velocity Vectors	33	(4)
Newton's Laws of Motion	37	(28)
Newton's First Law of Motion	38	(2)
Mass	40	(4)
Net Force	44	(1)
Friction	44	(1)
Newton's Second Law of Motion	45	(3)
Applying Force---Pressure	48	(1)
Free Fall---When Acceleration is g	49	(3)
Non-free Fall---When Acceleration is Less Than g	52	(4)
Newton's Third Law of Motion	56	(3)
Systems of Forces	59	(1)
Acceleration and Newton's Third Law	60	(2)
Rocket Propulsion	62	(1)
Air Flight	62	(1)
Summary of Newton's Three Laws	63	(2)
Momentum	65	(13)
Impulse Changes Momentum	65	(4)
Bouncing	69	(1)
Conservation of Momentum	70	(8)
Energy	78	(19)
Work	79	(1)
Work Changes Energy	80	(1)
Potential Energy	81	(2)
Kinetic Energy	83	(3)
Conservation of Energy	86	(1)
Power	87	(1)
Machines	88	(2)
Efficiency	90	(1)
Kinetic Energy and Momentum Compared	91	(2)
Energy Sources	93	(4)
Rotational Motion	97	(18)
Rotational Inertia	98	(3)
Torque	101	(2)
Center of Mass and Center of Gravity	103	(1)
Locating the Center of Gravity	104	(2)
Stability	106	(1)
Angular Momentum	107	(2)
Conservation of Angular Momentum	109	(3)
Railroad Train Wheels	112	(1)
Rotational Motion Activities	113	(2)
Gravity	115	(20)
The Universal Law of Gravitation	115	(2)
G: The Universal Gravitational Constant	117	(2)
Gravity and Distance: The Inverse-Square Law	119	(2)
Force Fields	121	(3)
Tides	124	(3)
Tides on the Moon	127	(1)
Weight and Weightlessness	128	(1)
Black Holes	129	(3)
Universal Gravitation	132	(3)
Projectile and Satellite Motion	135	(25)
Projectile Motion	135	(7)
Satellite Motion	142	(3)
Calculating Satellite Speed	145	(2)
Circular Orbits	147	(2)
Elliptical Orbits	149	(4)
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion	153	(1)
Energy Conservation and Satellite Motion	154	(1)
Escape Speed	155	(5)
On Science	160	(17)
Mathematics---The Language of Science	161	(2)
The Language of Science in Words	163	(2)
The Scientific Method	165	(4)
Pseudoscience	169	(2)
Science, Art, and Religion	171	(2)
Science and Technology	173	(2)
In Perspective	175	(2)
Index of Names	177	(1)
General Index	177