Shocking Science: Fun & Fascinating Electrical Experiments - Hardcover

Levine, Shar; Johnstone, Leslie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080693946X ISBN 13: 9780806939469

Publisher: Sterling, 1999

Synopsis

Children will be "shocked" to learn that with just a few wires, batteries, bulbs, and buzzers they can unlock the mysteries and magic of electricity! These simple, safe experiments will prove enlightening on everything from electrons to circuits to wattage. Bend paper with a comb that's "charged up" with static electricity. Find out what lemons, potatoes, and coins have to do with electricity by using them to discover how a battery works, and then get right down to the "nuts and volts" of the matter by making one of your own. Also see why "opposites attract," construct a circuit board, send a coded message with a buzzer, and do lots of other great experiments. Cartoons throughout add to the fun. The authors both live in Vancouver, British Columbia. 80 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 3-6-This attractive book covers the basics of electricity. An introduction emphasizes safety first and puts forth a complete list of supplies, most of which are readily available at home or from a hardware store. Levine and Johnstone present the history and theory behind static electricity, and explore electricity step by step through various concepts such as capacity, conductivity, flow of electrons, magnetism, and resistance. The history of research on the properties of electricity, nomenclature, and the construction of a basic circuit board are included. Full-color photographs and drawings extend the text. This volume complements Bob Bonnet and Dan Keen's Science Fair Projects with Electricity and Electronics (Sterling, 1996).
Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This large-format book offers science activities related to electricity. Five chapters present experiments in these categories: static electricity, currents, magnetism, circuits, and electronic boards. As one might guess from the pun in the title, there's a certain amount of jaunty writing, especially in the introductions, but the organization and writing as a whole is clear and purposeful. Each experiment includes an introduction, a list of materials, step-by-step directions, and a discussion of the outcome. Related information appears in sidebars. Small color photographs illustrate the text in a useful and attractive manner, but the accompanying ink-and-wash drawings look a bit juvenile for the book's audience. A practical and informative book of science experiments. Carolyn Phelan

Edition details

• Publisher: Sterling
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080693946X
• ISBN 13: 9780806939469
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80