The Ups and Downs of Physics: The Science of Gravity, Aerodynamics, and Everyday Mishaps

The Webers, husband-and-wife science presenters on German television, share in their fun English-language debut a wide range of examples of how physics impacts daily life. The authors touch on some big-picture topics, including light waves and the greenhouse effect, as well as more quotidian issues including why water causes fingers and toes to wrinkle (it’s not osmosis, as is commonly thought, but blood vessels contracting) and what produces that sound inside a seashell (a “jumble of all kinds of frequencies,” not the ocean). Along the way, they share some counterintuitive conclusions, including that dry air is heavier than more saturated humid air. The authors also provide some simple experiments to help readers put their claims to the test: one shows how polarized light works, while another uses diffusion to make wilted carrots crispy again. The Webers’ conversational style and accessible explanations make for a solid introduction to a field that they note “can really get on your nerves, so much so that you never want to hear about it ever again.” This is science made eclectic and entertaining. (Aug.)