Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects

To Martin Gardner, seeing is not just believing — it is understanding. This fundamental rule made him one of the most influential teachers and popularizers of science in modern times. With the simple instructions in this book and a few commonly available household objects, you can learn about fundamental scientific principles by directly experiencing how they work.

Gardner shows you how to recreate classic experiments with easily obtainable objects. Using just a flashlight, a pocket mirror, and a bowl of water, you can demonstrate the color composition of white light just as Newton did 300 years ago. With cardboard, colored paper, and wax paper you can perform "Meyer's experiment" with complementary colors. And two drinking glasses, some matches, and a piece paper reveal the force of atmospheric pressure so dramatically it feels like witchcraft.

A splendid companion for a rainy afternoon and an inspiring gift for any curious mind. Age 11 and up.

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Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects

Author

Martin Gardner

Publisher

Dover Publications

Format

Paperback

Pages

128

Size

5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

ISBN

978-0486242019

About the author

Martin Gardner

Martin Gardner (1914–2010) was an American mathematician, writer, and popular science author, best known for his long-running "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American, where he captivated readers with puzzles, paradoxes, and recreational mathematics for over 25 years. Gardner's writings, spanning topics from logic and philosophy to science and skepticism, contributed to popularizing mathematics and inspired countless readers, including prominent scientists and mathematicians. In addition to his mathematical work, he was a noted critic of pseudoscience, authoring books on debunking the paranormal and exploring scientific skepticism. His engaging style and accessible explanations continue to influence enthusiasts and academics alike.