Physics Around the Clock: Adventures in the Science of Everyday Living

The fascinating physics behind everyday life - how to brew the perfect coffee, how to finally rid your garden of snails, and what physics reveals about love and relationships. Have you ever found yourself wondering how to brew the perfect cup of coffee, finally rid your garden of snails or how to pull off a seamless Mexican wave? Well, wonder no more. Grounded in cutting-edge scientific research, this entertaining book answers these questions and many more, and explains what physics can reveal about so many seemingly ordinary aspects of your daily routine, from cooking breakfast and walking the dog to playing games and watching a film. So, whether you're navigating rush-hour traffic, choosing the best seat on a plane, or just trying to win at rock, paper, scissors, Physics Around the Clock shows that physics isn't just about lab experiments and equations – it's relevant to everything you do and is happening all around you, every second of every day. AUTHOR: Michael Banks is news editor of Physics World magazine, the monthly member publication from the UK's Institute of Physics (www.physicsworld.com). He has written and edited a range of article types from news and analysis to features and blogs as well as recording podcasts and narrating videos, and has written book reviews and news stories for outlets including Nature, BBC Focus and Science Uncovered as well as appearing on BBC Radio 4 and at science festivals. Michael's PhD was in condensed-matter physics at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Physics in Stuttgart, Germany. 9 b/w line drawings