Science Fair Projects: Physics - Softcover

Bonnet, Bob; Keen, Dan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0806922559 ISBN 13: 9780806922553

Publisher: Sterling, 2000

Synopsis

Spark scientific curiosity with easy-to-find materials. The fascinating field of physics deals with the how and why of non living objects--including so many that figure in kids' everyday lives. It covers what principles are at work when we ride a bicycle, why a balloon floats, and how a refrigerator keeps that bottle of soda nice and ice-cold! And, what physics reveals about light, time, motion, magnetism, and other natural forces plays a part in many other sciences, including astronomy, optics, and even the arts. Colorfully demonstrate how energy flows, why things accelerate, and how sound travels. With these great science fair experiments budding scientists can have a "swinging good time" testing pendulums; measuring the momentum of a dropping ball; checking if water affects a magnetic field; storing solar heat; moving heavy objects easily with the help of a lever; and much more.

About this title

About the Author

Bob Bonnet lives in Clermont, NJ, and Dan Keen lives in Cape May Court House, NJ.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-This book offers 47 experiments of varied difficulty on topics ranging from buoyancy to simple machines. Each activity contains a boxed area listing the materials needed. Descriptions are divided into six sections: "Purpose," "Overview," "Hypothesis," etc. The "Results & Conclusion" section merely asks readers to write down their results and conclude whether or not their hypothesis was correct. Each project is accompanied by black-and-white line drawings, but they don't always complement the text or illustrate the basic concepts being presented. While the overviews make the concepts easier to understand, some of the procedures are complicated and confusing. In one case, children are asked to "Make a batch of dough by mixing water, salt, and flour." No measurements are provided, and the preparation is more difficult than the science behind it. Also, the activities are not presented in any particular order. While the authors advise readers to get adult help with plugging and unplugging a lamp in one project, in another, they are directed to pound 100 nails into a board and no supervision is suggested. In addition, not all of the experiments seem appropriate for a science fair, although the back cover makes reference to "these super science fair projects." Janice VanCleave's Physics for Every Kid (Wiley, 1991) offers more experiments with clearer descriptions, and Robert Friedhoffer's Physics Lab in the Home (Watts, 1997) has a more appealing layout.
Maren Ostergard, Bellevue Regional Library, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sterling
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0806922559
• ISBN 13: 9780806922553
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Zweifel Frances