Physics professor, bestselling author, and dynamic storyteller James Kakalios reveals the mind-bending science behind the seemingly basic things that keep our daily lives running, from our smart phones and digital “clouds” to x-ray machines and hybrid vehicles. Most of us are clueless when it comes to the physics that makes our modern world so convenient. What’s the simple science behind motion sensors, touch screens, and toasters? How do we glide through tolls using an E-Z Pass, or find our way to new places using GPS? In The Physics of Everyday Things, James Kakalios takes us on an amazing journey into the subatomic marvels that underlie so much of what we use and take for granted. Breaking down the world of things into a single day, Kakalios engages our curiosity about how our refrigerators keep food cool, how a plane manages to remain airborne, and how our wrist fitness monitors keep track of our steps. Each explanation is coupled with a story revealing the interplay of the astonishing invisible forces that surround us. Through this “narrative physics,” The Physics of Everyday Things demonstrates that—far from the abstractions conjured by terms like the Higgs Boson, black holes, and gravity waves—sophisticated science is also quite practical. With his signature clarity and inventiveness, Kakalios ignites our imaginations and enthralls us with the principles that make up our lives.

The Physics of Everyday Things: The Extraordinary Science Behind an Ordinary Day

Science & Math

Kakalios, James

History & Philosophy

Crown

In the pulp magazines and comics of the 1950s, it was predicted that the future would be one of gleaming utopias, with flying cars, jetpacks, and robotic personal assistants. Obviously, things didn't turn out that way. But the world we do have is actually more fantastic than the most outlandish predictions of the science fiction of the mid-twentieth century. The World Wide Web, pocket-sized computers, mobile phones, and MRI machines have changed the world in unimagined ways. In The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics, James Kakalios uses examples from comics and magazines to explain how breakthroughs in quantum mechanics led to such technologies.The book begins with an overview of speculative science fiction, beginning with Jules Verne and progressing through the space adventure comic books of the 1950s. Using the example of Dr. Manhattan from the graphic novel and film Watchmen, Kakalios explains the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and describes nuclear energy via the hilarious portrayals of radioactivity and its effects in the movies and comic books of the 1950s. Finally, he shows how future breakthroughs will make possible ever more advanced medical diagnostic devices-and perhaps even power stations on the moon that can beam their power to Earth.

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Tantor Audio

This essay collection, from fans and scholars alike, is as diverse as Legion history. Essays examine significant runs (by Jim Shooter, Paul Levitz, and Keith Giffen); the Legion's science, future architecture, and fashion; the role of women, homosexuality, and race; the early Legion's classical adaptations, its teenage cruelty, and its relation to the early Justice League; Lightning Lad's death and resurrection; whether the Legion should be allowed to age; the Amethyst saga; the themes of the reboot Legion; and the so-called Threeboot's relationship to adult adolescence and generational theory. From Sequart Research &amp; Literacy Organization. More info at http://Sequart.org

Teenagers from the Future: Essays on the Legion of Super-Heroes

Comics & Graphic Novels

Callahan, Timothy

Garling, Scipio

Williams, Alan.

Barbee, Christopher

Bryson, Jae

Elmslie, Matthew

Ellis, Sara K.

Gildersleeve, Greg

Lytle, Paul

Graphic Novels

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

An exploration of the science behind the powers of popular comic superheroes reveals how differences between Krypton and Earth might enable some of Superman's abilities, the number of hamburgers that Flash would need to run at supersonic speeds, and more. 40,000 first printing.

The Physics of Superheroes

Gotham

James Kakalios explores the scientific plausibility of the powers and feats of the most famous superheroes — and discovers that in many cases the comic writers got their science surprisingly right. Along the way he provides an engaging and witty commentary while introducing the lay reader to both classic and cutting-edge concepts in physics, including:
<ul>
<li> What Superman’s strength can tell us about the Newtonian physics of force, mass, and acceleration</li>
<li> How Iceman’s and Storm’s powers illustrate the principles of thermal dynamics</li>
<li> The physics behind the death of Spider-Man’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy</li>
<li> Why physics professors gone bad are the most dangerous evil geniuses!</li>
</ul>

History & Price Guides

Avery

Most of us are unaware of how much we depend on quantum mechanics on a day-to-day basis. Using illustrations and examples from science fiction pulp magazines and comic books, The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics explains the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics that underlie the world we live in. Watch a Video

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science that Made Our World

A complete update to the hit book on the real physics at work in comic books, featuring more heroes, more villains, and more science Since 2001, James Kakalios has taught "Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books," a hugely popular university course that generated coast-to-coast media attention for its unique method of explaining complex physics concepts through comics. With The Physics of Superheroes, named one of the best science books of 2005 by Discover, he introduced his colorful approach to an even wider audience. Now Kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes and findings from the cutting edge of science. With three new chapters and completely revised throughout with a splashy, redesigned package, the book that explains why Spider-Man's webbing failed his girlfriend, the probable cause of Krypton's explosion, and the Newtonian physics at work in Gotham City is electrifying from cover to cover.

The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition

A highly entertaining exploration of the complicated science of quantum mechanics made easy to understand by way of pop culture. As a young science fiction fan, physicist James Kakalios marveled at the future predicted in the pulp magazines, comics, and films of the '50s and '60s. By 2010, he was sure we'd have flying cars and jetpacks. But what we ended up with-laptop computers, MRI machines, Blu-ray players, and dozens of other real-life marvels-are even more fantastic. In The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics, he explains why the development of quantum mechanics enabled our amazing present day.
In his trademark style, Kakalios uses pop culture examples- everything from the graphic novel Watchmen to schlock horror movies of the '50s-to elucidate some of the most complex science there is. And he brings to life the groundbreaking scientists whose discoveries made our present life possible. Along the way, he dispels the misconception that quantum mechanics is unknowable by mere mortals. It's not magic; it's science!

Penguin Publishing Group

A complete update to the hit book on the real physics at work in comic books, featuring more heroes, more villains, and more science. Since 2001, James Kakalios has taught "Everything I Needed to Know About Physics I Learned from Reading Comic Books," a hugely popular university course that generated coast-to-coast media attention for its unique method of explaining complex physics concepts through comics. With The Physics of Superheroes, named one of the best science books of 2005 by Discover, he introduced his colorful approach to an even wider audience. Now Kakalios presents a totally updated, expanded edition that features even more superheroes and findings from the cutting edge of science. With three new chapters and completely revised throughout, the book that explains why Spider-Man's webbing failed his girlfriend, the probable cause of Krypton's explosion, and the Newtonian physics at work in Gotham City is electrifying from beginning to end.

HighBridge Audio

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kakalios, James. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kakalios, James

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kakalios, James. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Physics of Everyday Things: The Extraordinary Science Behind an Ordinary Day

The Physics of Everyday Things: The Extraordinary Science Behind an Ordinary Day

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World

Teenagers from the Future: Essays on the Legion of Super-Heroes

The Physics of Superheroes

The Physics of Superheroes

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science that Made Our World

The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition

The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics: A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World

The Physics of Superheroes: More Heroes! More Villains! More Science! Spectacular Second Edition