Physics Lab in a Housewares Store (Physical Science Labs)

Explores such topics in physics as levers, friction, heat transmission, and density with experiments using common household utensils

Gr 5-8--There have been a number of recent books that explore the science of everyday materials. Friedhoffer's title, a companion to Physics Lab in a Hardware Store (Watts, 1996), is a fine addition to the genre. So much so, that teachers may want to grab this book before their students do. The author does a particularly good job of relating devices to simple tools such as the lever and the screw. For example, he points out that the ice-cream scoop combines a second-class lever and gears. Other topics include heat, friction, and density. Explanations are clear and simple. Black-and-white drawings accompany most of the devices and, in the lever and screws section, aid significantly in explaining the physics. A glossary of terms is also helpful. A lively and informative presentation.

Alan Newman, American Chemical Society, Washington,

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