L'automobile, una delle invenzioni più importanti nella storia dell'uomo, racchiude dentro di sé tantissima fisica. Il sistema di accensione dipende dai princìpi di elettricità e magnetismo, i freni funzionano grazie alla forza d'attrito, le leggi del caos spiegano gli ingorghi nelle ore di punta. Questi e altri concetti costituiscono il fulcro di questo libro, in cui ogni automobile si trasforma in un laboratorio su quattro ruote e ogni viaggio diventa una magnifica avventura nel mondo della fisica.

Un viaggio affascinante attraverso l'arte e la storia, dal Medioevo al Ventesimo secolo. Questo volume unico e prezioso riproduce alcuni splendidi esemplari di carte e mappe nautiche, descrivendone l'evoluzione tecnica nel tempo, la ricercatezza dei contenuti, le effettive applicazioni pratiche e, naturalmente, le caratteristiche estetiche e stilistiche. Un intreccio di linee, colori, immagini che raccontano al lettore come sia cambiata nei secoli la percezione del mondo.

'My God won't let me do that.'

These seven words of boundless hope would irreversibly change the life of the teenage boy who spoke them.

On April 7, 1994, the life of Frederick Ndabaramiye and his family changed forever as the Rwandan genocide erupted in their homeland. As Frederick faced the genocidaires, he noted the machete that hung from the right hand closest to him; he wondered if his would soon be added to the layers of dried blood that clung to the blade. Either way, young Frederick knew that he wouldn't be able to carry out the orders just given to him, to raise that blade against the other passengers of the bus, regardless of the race marked on their identity cards.

That bold decision would cause Frederick to lose his hands. But what the killers meant for harm, God intended for good. The cords that bound him served as a tourniquet, saving his life when his hands were hacked away. This new disability eventually fueled Frederick's passion to show the world that disabilities do not have to stop you from living a life of undeniable purpose. From that passion, the Ubumwe Community Center was born, where 'people like me' come to discover their own purposes and abilities despite their circumstances.

Through miraculous mercy and divine appointment, Frederick forgives those who harmed him and goes on to fully grasp his God-given mission. In this extraordinary true story of forgiveness, faith, and hope, you will be challenged, convicted, and forever converted to believers of the impossible.

This fascinating blend of popular science and military history examines the science of war, demonstrating the close connection between the discovery of basic physical principles and the development of weaponry over the ages.

Physics has played a critical role in warfare since the earliest times. Barry Parker highlights famous battles of the past as well as renowned scientists and inventors such as Leonardo, Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein whose work had an impact on the technology of combat. Mechanics and the laws of motion led to improved shell trajectories; gas dynamics proved important to the interior ballistics of rifles and cannons; and space exploration resulted in intercontinental missiles, spy satellites, and drone aircraft.

Parker emphasizes the special discoveries that had revolutionary effects on the art of warfare: the Chinese invention of gunpowder, the development of firearms, the impact of the Industrial Revolution, the deployment of the airplane in the First World War, and in our era the unleashing of the enormous power inherent in nuclear fission and fusion.

Why does a harpsichord sound different from a piano? For that matter, why does middle C on a piano differ from middle C on a tuning fork, a trombone, or a flute? Good Vibrations explains in clear, friendly language the out-of-sight physics responsible not only for these differences but also for the whole range of noises we call music.

The physical properties and history of sound are fascinating to study. Barry Parker's tour of the physics of music details the science of how instruments, the acoustics of rooms, electronics, and humans create and alter the varied sounds we hear. Using physics as a base, Parker discusses the history of music, how sounds are made and perceived, and the various effects of acting on sounds. In the process, he demonstrates what acoustics can teach us about quantum theory and explains the relationship between harmonics and the theory of waves.

Peppered throughout with anecdotes and examples illustrating key concepts, this invitingly written book provides a firm grounding in the actual and theoretical physics of music.

L'autore ha trascorso la propria infanzia nell'officina del padre, affascinato dalle auto e dai loro segreti. A decenni di distanza riscopre quel mondo con gli occhi dello scienziato, mostrando come ogni aspetto del funzionamento delle automobili sia riconducibile a un fenomeno fisico. Il sistema di accensione dipende dai principi di elettricità e magnetismo, i freni funzionano grazie alla forza d'attrito, le leggi del caos spiegano gli ingorghi nelle ore di punta. Passando dalla termodinamica del motore all'aerodinamica della carrozzeria, Parker descrive le automobili del presente, e immagina quelle del futuro, svelando la complessità di una delle invenzioni più importanti nella storia dell'uomo.

This new series will explain major areas of science in an interesting, visually compelling, and accessible manner. The '101' in the title refers not only to an introductory course but also to the 101 key facts and topics presented in each book. These books will fill the need for popular reference on all aspects of science and technology.

Addressed to the layperson, uses non-technical language and almost no mathematics to explain Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and General Theory of Relativity.

Despite her prolific output, writer and wit Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) never produced an autobiography. This volume contains passages selected from among her published writings and correspondence that describe her life and ideas. In these passages, Parker addresses her early career writing for magazines, her championing of social causes such as integration, and the obsession with suicide that became another element of her satire. Day is the author or editor of numerous books, plays, and musicals. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

For some people, driving is an art; for others, it's a science. At the Isaac Newton School of Driving, though, every car is a laboratory on wheels and every drive an exciting journey into the world of physics. As explained by renowned science writer and physics professor Barry Parker—whose father was a car mechanic and garage owner—almost every aspect of driving involves physics. A car's performance and handling relies on fundamental concepts such as force, momentum, and energy. Its ignition system depends on the principles of electricity and magnetism. Braking relies on friction—yet another basic scientific concept—and if the brakes fail, the resulting damage, too, can be predicted using physics.

Parker's first lesson describes the basic physics of driving: speed and acceleration; why you get thrown forward while braking or outward while turning; and why car advertisements boast about horsepower and torque. He goes on to discuss the thermodynamics of engines, and how they can be more fuel efficient; and what friction and traction are and how they keep a car's tires on the road, whether it's dry, wet, or icy. He also describes how simple laws of physics enable scientists to design aerodynamic cars and high-tech steering systems. Parker then explores the high-performance physics of auto racing, outlines how traffic accidents are reconstructed by police, uses chaos theory to explain why traffic jams happen, and describes what cars of the future might look like. Whether you drive a Pacer or a Porsche, The Isaac Newton School of Driving offers better—and better-informed—driving through physics.

Popular science writer (and former physics professor) Parker presents a portrait of the scientists who developed the theory of quantum mechanics and explains the basic conceptual outlines of the theory. The mathematics of quantum theory are almost completely avoided. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)