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HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page Ii Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page Iii Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page i THE HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page ii Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page iii THE HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK FOURTH EDITION Compiled by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Detroit Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page iv THE Copyright © 2011 by Visible Ink Press® This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copy- right laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competi- HANDY tion, and other applicable laws. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote SCIENCE brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a maga- zine, newspaper, or web site. ANSWER All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended. Visible Ink Press® 43311 Joy Rd., #414 BOOK Canton, MI 48187-2075 Visible Ink Press is a registered trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC. Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups. Cus- tomized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be pro- duced to meet your needs. For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press, www.visibleinkpress.com, or 734-667-3211. Managing Editor: Kevin S. Hile Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski Typesetting: Marco Di Vita Proofreaders: Sarah Hermsen and Sharon Malinowski ISBN 978-1-57859-321-7 (pbk.) Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data The handy science answer book / [edited by] Naomi E. Balaban and James E. Bobick. — 4th ed. p. cm. — (The handy answer book series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-57859-321-7 (pbk.) 1. Science—Miscellanea. I. Balaban, Naomi E. II. Bobick, James E. Q173.H24 2011 500—dc22 2011000429 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page v Contents INTRODUCTION vii INDEX … 643 GENERAL SCIENCE, EARTH … 145 MATHEMATICS, AND TECHNOLOGY … 1 Air … Physical Characteristics … Water … Land … Volcanoes and Introduction … Societies, Earthquakes … Observation and Publications, and Awards … Numbers Measurement … Mathematics … Computers CLIMATE AND PHYSICS AND WEATHER… 181 CHEMISTRY … 55 Temperature … Air Phenomena … Energy, Motion, and Force … Light, Wind … Precipitation … Weather Sound, and Other Waves … Electricity Prediction and Magnetism … Matter … Chemical Elements … Temperature, Measurement, and Methodology MINERALS, METALS, AND OTHER MATERIALS … 221 ASTRONOMY AND SPACE … 93 Rocks and Minerals … Metals … Natural Substances … Man-made Universe … Stars … Planets and Products Moons … Comets and Meteorites … Observation and Measurement … Exploration v Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page vi ENERGY … 257 ANIMAL WORLD … 451 Fossil Fuels … Renewable and Alternative Energy … Nuclear Energy Introduction and Historical … Measures and Measurement … Background … Animal Characteristics Consumption and Conservation and Activities … Sponges, Coelenterates, and Worms … Mollusks and Echinoderms … Arthropods: ENVIRONMENT … 293 Crustaceans, Insects, and Spiders … Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles … Biomes, Ecological Cycles, and Birds … Mammals … Pets Environmental Milestones … Pollution and Wastes … Recycling and Conservation … Extinct and HUMAN BODY … 517 Endangered Plants and Animals Introduction and Historical Background … Tissues, Organs, and BIOLOGY … 345 Glands … Bones and Muscles … Skin, Hair, and Nails … Blood and Cells … Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Circulation … Nerves and Senses … Fungi … DNA, RNA, and Digestion … Reproduction and Chromosomes … Genetics and Human Development Evolution … Classification, Laboratory Tools, and Techniques HEALTH AND PLANT WORLD … 403 MEDICINE … 579 Health Hazards and Risks … First Aid Introduction and Historical and Poisons … Diseases, Disorders, Background … Plant Diversity … and Other Health Problems … Health Plant Structure and Function … Care … Diagnostic Equipments, Tests, Flowers and Unusual Plants … Trees and Techniques … Drugs and and Shrubs … Soil, Gardening, and Medicines … Surgery and Other Farming Treatments vi Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page vii Introduction In the years since the first edition of The Handy Science Answer Book was published in 1994, innumerable discoveries and advancements have been made in all fields of science and technology. These accomplishments range from the microscopic to the global— from an understanding of how genes interact and ultimately produce proteins to the recent definition of a planet that excludes Pluto. As a society, we have increased our awareness of the environment and the sustainability of resources with a focus on increasing our use of renewable fuels, reducing greenhouse gases, and building “green.” This newly updated fourth edition of The Handy Science Answer Book continues to be a fun and educational resource that is both informative and enjoyable. There are nearly 2,000 questions in all areas of science, technology, mathematics, medicine, and other areas. The questions are interesting, unusual, frequently asked, or difficult to answer. Statistical data have been updated for the twenty-first century. Both of us are pleased and excited about the various changes, additions, and improvements in this new edition, which continues to add to and enhance the original publication present- ed by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. A CKNOWLEDGMENTS The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, established in 1902, fields—and answers—more than 60,000 science and technology questions every single year, which is how a library became an author. The most common questions and their answers were collected and became the library’s own ready reference file. The Handy Science Answer Book is a selection of the most interesting, frequently asked, and unusual of these queries. This fourth edition of The Handy Science Answer Book was revised and updated thanks to the help of James E. Bobick and Naomi E. Balaban, who have worked on the previous editions. Bobick recently retired after sixteen years as Head of the Science and Technology Department at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. During the same time, vii Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page viii he taught the science resources course in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He co-authored Science and Technology Resources: A Guide for Information Professionals and Researchers with G. Lynn Berard from Carnegie Mel- lon University. He has master’s degrees in both biology and library science. Balaban, a reference librarian for twenty years at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, has extensive experience in the areas of science and technology. In addition to working on the two earlier editions of The Handy Science Answer Book with Bobick, she coau- thored The Handy Biology Answer Book and The Handy Anatomy Answer Book with him. She has a background in linguistics and a master’s degree in library science. Jim and Naomi dedicate this edition to Sandi and Carey: “We owe you a lot!” In addition, the authors thank their families for the ongoing interest, encouragement, support, and especially their understanding while this edition was being revised. P HOTO C REDITS All photos and illustrations are from iStock.com, with the following exceptions: Electronic Illustrators Group: 28, 64, 79, 95, 99, 109, 114, 147, 297, 305, 351, 533, 538, 544, 546, 551, 555, 557, 559, 565, 585, 595, 636. Library of Congress: 19, 33, 77, 104, 395, 414. National Aeronautics and Space Administration: 182. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: 193, 307. viii Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page 1 GENERAL SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION What is the difference between science and technology? Science and technology are related disciplines, but have different goals. The basic goal of science is to acquire a fundamental knowledge of the natural world. Outcomes of scientific research are the theorems, laws, and equations that explain the natural world. It is often described as a pure science. Technology is the quest to solve prob- lems in the natural world with the ultimate goal of improving humankind’s control of their environment. Technology is, therefore, often described as applied science; apply- ing the laws of science to specific problems. The distinction between science and tech- nology blurs since many times researchers investigating a scientific problem will dis- cover a practical application for the knowledge they acquire. What is the scientific method? The scientific method is the basis of scientific investigation. A scientist will pose a question and formulate a hypothesis as a potential explanation or answer to the ques- tion. The hypothesis will be tested through a series of experiments. The results of the experiments will either prove or disprove the hypothesis. Hypotheses that are consis- tent with available data are conditionally accepted. What are the steps of the scientific method? Research scientists follow these steps: 1. State a hypothesis. 2. Design an experiment to “prove” the hypothesis. 1 Handy Science 2/16/11 11:26 AM Page 2 3. Assemble the materials and set up the experiment. 4. Do the experiment and collect data. 5. Analyze the data using quantitative methods. 6. Draw conclusions. 7. Write up and publish the results. Who is one of the first individuals associated with the scientific method? Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham (c. 966–1039), whose name is usually Latin - Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham (or al Haitham), also known ized to Alhazen or Alhacen, is known as as Alhazen or Alhacen, is considered the “father of optics.” His image appears here on a postage stamp from Qatar. the “father” of the science of optics and was also one of the earliest experimental scientists. Between the tenth and fourteenth centuries, Muslim scholars were responsi- ble for the development of the scientific method. These individuals were the first to use experiments and observation as the basis of science, and many historians regard sci- ence as starting during this period. Alhazen is considered as the architect of the scien- tific method.
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