How to Destroy the Universe: And 34 Other Really Interesting Uses of Physics - Hardcover

Dr. Paul Parsons

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1849164797 ISBN 13: 9781849164795

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc, 2011

Synopsis

How do you generate a force field? Is time travel possible? Could you survive falling in a black hole? How do you turn lead into gold? Can you live for ever?

If you thought physics was all about measuring the temperature of ice in a bucket or trying to fathom what E=mc2 means, think again... How to Destroy the Universe and 34 other really interesting uses of physics demystifies the astonishing world of physics in a series of intriguing, entertaining and often extraordinary scenarios - that explain key physics concepts in plain and simple language.

You'll find out how to save the planet from energy shortages by mining the vacuum of empty space, engineer the Earth's climate to reverse the effects of global warming, and fend off killer asteroids just like Bruce Willis and his vest. You'll learn essential survival skills such as how to live through a lightning strike, how to tough it out during an earthquake and how to fall into a black hole without being squashed into spaghetti. And you'll discover some plain old cool stuff like how to turn lead into gold, how to travel to the centre of the Earth, how to crack supposedly unbreakable codes and how to use physics to predict the stock market.

So if you want to get to grips with science behind relativity, antigravity and parallel universes, or if you are really more interested in learning how to teleport, travel through time or achieve immortality, this is the perfect introduction to the amazing world of modern physics.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The most entertaining and extraordinary guide to modern physics. How to predict the weather; How to survive an earthquake; How to stop a hurricane; How to deflect a killer asteroid; How to journey to the Earth's core; How to build the ultimate rollercoaster; How to stop global warming; How to launch yourself into space; How to survive a lightning strike; How to cause a blackout; How to make an invisibility cloak; How to be everywhere at once; How to live forever; How to teleport; How to fit a power station in your pocket; How to see an atom; How to turn lead into gold; How to build an atomic bomb; How to harness starlight; How to visit the tenth dimension; How to survive falling into a black hole; How to travel through time; How to see the other side of the universe; How to recreate the Big Bang; How to make the loudest sound on Earth; How to destroy the universe; How to travel faster than light; How to contact aliens; How to make energy from nothing; How to generate a force field; How to predict the stock market; How to crack unbreakable codes; How to build an antigravity machine; How to create life; How to read someone's mind.

About the Author:

Dr Paul Parsons is a regular contributor to Nature, New Scientist and the Daily Telegraph. He frequently appears on BBC radio and his television credits include Richard & Judy and BBC Breakfast. He was formerly editor of the BBC's award-winning science and technology magazine Focus. The Science of Doctor Who (Icon Books), was longlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. His latest book is Science 1001 published by Quercus.

About this edition

• Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1849164797
• ISBN 13: 9781849164795
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224