How Things Work
The Physics of Everyday Life
by Louis A. Bloomfield
6th Edition
Publisher: Wiley
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9781119013846 |
| eText ISBN | 9781119188544 |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Publishing Year | 2016 |
| Edition | 6th Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 512 |
How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life, 6th Edition, introduces physics to non-science students through familiar everyday items. Author Louis A. Bloomfield uses real-world case studies to demonstrate foundational scientific concepts at work across daily routines.
The volume covers central topics in classical and modern physics, including the laws of motion, fluids, heat, resonance, electricity, and magnetism. By examining ordinary devices, the textbook unpacks underlying mechanisms without unnecessary complexity.
To make mathematical relationships accessible, the textbook introduces formulas through a three-way approach that integrates word equations, symbolic equations, and clarifying explanatory sentences.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Laws of Motion, Part 1
- • Active Learning Experiment: Removing a Tablecloth from a Table
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 1.1 Skating
- • 1.2 Falling Balls
- • 1.3 Ramps
- • Epilogue for Chapter 1 / Explanation: Removing a Tablecloth from a Table / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 2: The Laws of Motion, Part 2
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Spinning Pie Dish
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 2.1 Seesaws
- • 2.2 Wheels
- • 2.3 Bumper Cars
- • Epilogue for Chapter 2 / Explanation: A Spinning Pie Dish / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 3: Mechanical Objects Part 1
- • Active Learning Experiment: Swinging Water Overhead
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 3.1 Spring Scales
- • 3.2 Ball Sports: Bouncing
- • 3.3 Carousels and Roller Coasters
- • Epilogue for Chapter 3 / Explanation: Swinging Water Overhead / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 4: Mechanical Objects Part 2
- • Active Learning Experiment: High-Flying Balls
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 4.1 Bicycles
- • 4.2 Rockets and Space Travel
- • Epilogue for Chapter 4 / Explanation: High-Flying Balls / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 5: Fluids
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Cartesian Diver
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 5.1 Balloons
- • 5.2 Water Distribution
- • Epilogue for Chapter 5 / Explanation: A Cartesian Diver / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 6: Fluids and Motion
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Vortex Cannon
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 6.1 Garden Watering
- • 6.2 Ball Sports: Air
- • 6.3 Airplanes
- • Epilogue for Chapter 6 / Explanation: A Vortex Cannon / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 7: Heat and Phase Transitions
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Ruler Thermometer
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 7.1 Woodstoves
- • 7.2 Water, Steam, and Ice
- • 7.3 Clothing, Insulation, and Climate
- • Epilogue for Chapter 7 / Explanation: A Ruler Thermometer / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 8: Thermodynamics
- • Active Learning Experiment: Making Fog in a Bottle
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 8.1 Air Conditioners
- • 8.2 Automobiles
- • Epilogue for Chapter 8 / Explanation: Making Fog in a Bottle / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 9: Resonance and Mechanical Waves
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Singing Wineglass
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 9.1 Clocks
- • 9.2 Musical Instruments
- • 9.3 The Sea
- • Epilogue for Chapter 9 / Explanation: A Singing Wineglass / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 10: Electricity
- • Active Learning Experiment: Moving Water without Touching It
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 10.1 Static Electricity
- • 10.2 Xerographic Copiers
- • 10.3 Flashlights
- • Epilogue for Chapter 10 / Explanation: Moving Water without Touching It / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 11: Magnetism and Electrodynamics
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Nail and Wire Electromagnet
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 11.1 Household Magnets
- • 11.2 Electric Power Distribution
- • Epilogue for Chapter 11 / Explanation: A Nail and Wire Electromagnet / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 12: Electromagnetic Waves
- • Active Learning Experiment: A Disc in the Microwave Oven
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 12.1 Radio
- • 12.2 Microwave Ovens
- • Epilogue for Chapter 12 / Explanation: A Disc in the Microwave Oven / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 13: Light
- • Active Learning Experiment: Splitting the Colors of Sunlight
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 13.1 Sunlight
- • 13.2 Discharge Lamps
- • 13.3 LEDs and Lasers
- • Epilogue for Chapter 13 / Explanation: Splitting the Colors of Sunlight / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 14: Optics and Electronics
- • Active Learning Experiment: Magnifying Glass Camera
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 14.1 Cameras
- • 14.2 Optical Recording and Communication
- • 14.3 Audio Players
- • Epilogue for Chapter 14 / Explanation: Magnifying Glass Camera / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter 15: Modern Physics
- • Active Learning Experiment: Radiation-Damaged Paper
- • Chapter Itinerary
- • 15.1 Nuclear Weapons
- • 15.2 Nuclear Reactors
- • 15.3 Medical Imaging and Radiation
- • Epilogue for Chapter 15 / Explanation: Radiation-Damaged Paper / Chapter Summary and Important Laws and Equations
Chapter Appendices: Appendices
- • A Vectors
- • B Units, Conversion of Units
Chapter Glossary: Glossary
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