Overview
How can you tell if a moving object is accelerating? Why are pulleys used to lift objects? Can you observe weightlessness in everyday situations? Using easy-to-find materials and the scientific method, you can learn the answers to these questions and more. If you are interested in competing in science fairs, the book contains lots of great suggestions and ideas for further experiments.
Synopsis
How can you tell if a moving object is accelerating? Why are pulleys used to lift objects? Can you observe weightlessness in everyday situations? Using easy-to-find materials and the scientific method, you can learn the answers to these questions and more. If you are interested in competing in science fairs, the book contains lots of great suggestions and ideas for further experiments.
Children's Literature
This topic in the "Science Projects Using the Scientific Method" series is an expanded and revised edition of an earlier version published in 2004. It serves up twenty-nine experiments that use easy-to-find materials to help students comprehend physics principles. Beginning with the rudiments, each subsequent chapter builds on the knowledge gained in prior experiments, and several projects reuse equipment created in earlier experiments. Before introducing any experiments, Gardner offers a thorough explanation of research, scientific method, and safety. Chapters begin with an overview of the law being tested: measuring distance and time; forces and motion; oscillating motion; curving and circular motion; and force, muscles and machines. Garner poses a question, frames a hypothesis, and lists materials needed to test the hypothesis. Clear, step-by-step instructions guide students through the procedure; a "Results and Conclusions" section reinforces principles learned and poses a new question. Each experiment wraps up with suggestions on how the experiment can be expanded and customized to make it suitable for entry into a science fair. Illustrations and/or graphs enhance each experiment. The experiments are simple, fun, and quick to perform, once you've gathered all the materials. End matter includes an appendix with contact information for eleven science supply companies, suggestions for further reading, and an index. Reviewer: Heather N. Kolich