The Handy Science Answer Book

680 Pages·2010·18.77 MB·English

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THE
HANDY
SCIENCE
ANSWER
BOOK
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The Handy Answer Book™ Series
The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)
The Handy Bug Answer Book
The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book
The Handy Geography Answer Book
The Handy History Answer Book
The Handy Ocean Answer Book
The Handy Physics Answer Book
The Handy Politics Answer Book
The Handy Religion Answer Book
The Handy Science Answer Book
The Handy Space Answer Book
The Handy Sports Answer Book
The Handy Weather Answer Book
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THE
H A N D Y
SCIENCE
ANSWER
BOOK™
C E N T E N N I A L E D I T I O N
Compiled by the Science and Technology Department
of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Edited by James E. Bobick and Naomi E. Balaban
Detroit
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Copyright 2003 by The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
THE
Since this page cannot legibly accommodate all copyright notices, the
credits constitute an extension of the copyright notice.
HANDY
This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable
copyright laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair
SCIENCE competition, and other applicable laws.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permis-
ANSWER sion in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes
to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for
inclusion in a magazine or newspaper.
BOOK™
All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended.
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Cataloguing-in-Publication data is available from the Library of
Congress.
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved
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Contents
INTRODUCTION XI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XV
CREDITS XVI
PHYSICS AND
CHEMISTRY
Energy, Motion, Force, and Heat 1
Light, Sound, and Other Waves 7
Matter 12
Chemical Elements, etc. 17
Measurement, Methodology, etc. 27
SPACE
Universe 33
Stars 36
Planets and Moons 48
Comets, Meteorites, etc. 60
Observation and Measurement 64
Exploration 68
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EARTH
Air 81
Physical Characteristics, etc. 83
Water 87
Land 95
Volcanoes and Earthquakes 105
Observation and Measurement 113
CLIMATE AND
WEATHER
Temperature 119
Air Phenomena 122
Wind 127
Precipitation 138
Weather Prediction 143
MINERALS AND
OTHER MATERIALS
Rocks and Minerals 147
Metals 156
Natural Substances 162
Man-made Products 168
vi
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ENERGY
Non-nuclear Fuels 181
Nuclear Power 190
Measures and Measurement 195
Consumption and Conservation 198
ENVIRONMENT
Ecology, Resources, etc. 205
Extinct and Endangered Plants and Animals 216
Pollution 224
Recycling, Conservation, and Water 235
BIOLOGY
Cells 245
Evolution and Genetics 249
Life Processes, Structures, etc. 263
Classification, Measurement, and Terms 264
Fungi, Bacteria, Algae, etc. 269
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PLANT WORLD
Physical Characteristics, Functions,
etc. 273
Trees and Shrubs 275
Flowers and Other Plants 280
Gardening, Farming, etc. 289
ANIMAL WORLD
Physical Characteristics, etc. 305
Names 313
Insects, Spiders, etc. 317
Aquatic Life 328
Reptiles and Amphibians 333
Birds 335
Mammals 344
Pets 356
HUMAN BODY
Functions, Processes, and
Characteristics 367
Bones, Muscles, and Nerves 383
Organs and Glands 386
Body Fluids 392
Skin, Hair, and Nails 397
Senses and Sense Organs 400
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HEALTH AND
MEDICINE
Health Hazards, Risks, etc. 407
First Aid, Poisons, etc. 416
Diseases, Disorders, and Other Health Problems 423
Health Care 440
Diagnostic Equipment, Tests, etc. 445
Drugs, Medicines, etc. 447
Surgery and Other Non-drug Treatments 459
WEIGHTS, MEASURES,
TIME, TOOLS, AND
WEAPONS
Weights, Measures, and
Measurement 465
Time 474
Tools, Machines, and Processes 489
Weapons 496
5600'
BUILDINGS, BRIDGES,
AND OTHER STRUCTURES
Buildings and Building Parts 505
Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels 513
Miscellaneous Structures 519
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