Why It's Not All Rocket Science: Scientific Theories and Experiments Explained - Softcover

Cave, Robert

 
9780500292006: Why It's Not All Rocket Science: Scientific Theories and Experiments Explained
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0500292000 ISBN 13: 9780500292006
Publisher: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 2016

Synopsis

In Why It’s Not All Rocket Science , Robert Cave examines 100 extraordinary projects, theories and experiments that have been conducted in the name of science. Some, including various nuclear tests, have attracted controversy and hostility; others, such as Johann Wilhelm Ritter’s erotic self-experiments with a voltaic pile, seem downright weird. But Cave demonstrates, thoroughly and informatively, that it is only by doggedly asking awkward questions, and paying close attention to the answers, that scientists have been able to make progress.
From spider monkeys to human cyborgs, and from swimming in syrup to chaos theory, Cave places each experiment and discovery in its scientific context to present an entertaining guide to some of the most jaw-dropping entries in the history of science. Why It’s Not All Rocket Science contains chapters on the brain, the body, society and communications, planet Earth and the Universe, and to read it is to gain startling insights into why scientists seem to behave so oddly, and how their brilliant if sometimes bizarre work benefits all of society.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Robert Cave has been a writer and editor for many years. He is author of more than 30 books for adults and children, including the encyclopedia sets International Wildlife, Life Science and Aquatic Life of the World, and is a contributor to the annual Guinness World Records book.

From the Back Cover

In Why It’s Not All Rocket Science , Robert Cave examines 100 extraordinary projects, theories and experiments that have been conducted in the name of science. Some, including various nuclear tests, have attracted controversy and hostility; others, such as Johann Wilhelm Ritter’s erotic self-experiments with a voltaic pile, seem downright weird. But Cave demonstrates, thoroughly and informatively, that it is only by doggedly asking awkward questions, and paying close attention to the answers, that scientists have been able to make progress.
From spider monkeys to human cyborgs, and from swimming in syrup to chaos theory, Cave places each experiment and discovery in its scientific context to present an entertaining guide to some of the most jaw-dropping entries in the history of science. Why It’s Not All Rocket Science contains chapters on the brain, the body, society and communications, planet Earth and the Universe, and to read it is to gain startling insights into why scientists seem to behave so oddly, and how their brilliant if sometimes bizarre work benefits all of society.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Thames and Hudson Ltd
Publication date
2016
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0500292000
ISBN 13 
9780500292006
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
224