By explaining the physics behind ordinary objects, this book unravels the mysteries of how things work. Using familiar examples from everyday life and modern technology, this book explains the seemingly inexplicable phenomena we encounter all around us. As it examines everything from roller coasters to radio, musical instruments to makeup, and knuckleballs to nuclear weapons, How Everything Works provides the answers to such questions as why the sky is blue, why metal is a problem in microwave ovens, and why some clothes require dry cleaning. With fascinating and fun real-life examples that provide the answers to scores of questions, How Everything Works is nothing short of a user's manual to our everyday world.

No one is better at making physics come to life than Louis Bloomfield. Widely recognized for his teaching of physics and science to non-science students at the University of Virginia, Professor Bloomfield is the co-host of the Discovery Channel television show “Some Assembly Required,” premiering in the fall of 2007.