Atoms Under the Floorboards: The Surprising Science Hidden in Your Home

Chris Woodford

Mar 2015 · Bloomsbury Publishing

About this ebook

Using the modern home as a springboard, Atoms under the Floorboards introduces the reader to the fascinating and surprising scientific explanations behind a variety of common (and often entertainingly mundane) household phenomena, from gurgling drains and squeaky floorboards to rubbery custard and shiny shoes.

Packed with facts and fun, each chapter focuses on a feature in each of the areas and slowly unpicks the science behind it.

* Is it better to build skyscrapers like wobbly jellies or stacks of biscuits?
*Can you burn your house down with an electric drill?
*How many atoms would you have to split to power a lightbulb?
*How can a raincoat be waterproof and breathable at the same time?

Atoms under the Floorboards answers all these questions, and hundreds more. You'll never look at your home the same way again ...

About the author

Chris Woodford has been a professional science and technology writer for 25 years. After graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in natural sciences, he has gone on to write, co-write and edit a number of science education books, including the best-selling Cool Stuff series.

He runs www.explainthatstuff.com, dedicated to explaining the science behind familiar, everyday things.