Fundamentals of Physics Volume 2

by Jearl Walker

About The Cover The front cover is an image by Eric J. Heller depicting electron flow over a microscopically bumpy surface. The paths of the 100,000 electrons begin at the upper right but branch and fold back on one another in a surprising pattern as they spread toward the lower left. Electron flow is the subject of several chapters in this book and is especially important in the discussion of electric sparks. Some sparks are amusing, such as those generated when someone chomps down on a wintergreen LifeSaver-the brief blue glow that illuminates the mouth can be seen in a dark room (Chapter 21). Other sparks are quite dangerous, such as those in electrostatic discharges that can accidentally cause airborne dust to explode (Chapter 25). Take Your Seat - The Show's About To Begin! This 8th edition of Fundamentals of Physics includes hundreds of items about curious effects in the everyday world, written in the spirit of Jearl Walker's The Flying Circus of Physics. The original edition of The Flying Circus of Physics-in print for over 30 years in 10 languages-is a cult classic among physics students, physics instructors, and the general public. Electronic links to the new 2nd Edition of The Flying Circus of Physics are available in the electronic version of 8th edition of Fundamentals of Physics that is part of WileyPLUS, one of the online homework systems available with this book. WileyPLUS also includes electronic versions of all the end-of chapter problems in Fundamentals of Physics and the interactive tutorials (several hundred) and hints (several thousand) written by author Jearl Walker. You can find out more about The Flying Circus of Physics at www.flyingcircusofphysics.com Get A Better Grade In Physics! Introductory Physics With Calculus As A Second Language by Thomas E. Barrett (0-471-73910-3) helps you understand the basic concepts, break down problems into simple steps, and improve your problem-solving skills! Find out more at www.wiley.com/college/barrett.

Genres: Science, Physics, Reference

Paperback

First published November 17, 2006

About the author

Jearl Walker (born 1945 in Florida) is a physicist noted for his book Flying Circus of Physics, first published in 1975; the second edition was published in June 2006. He teaches physics at Cleveland State University.

Walker has also revised and edited the textbook Fundamentals of Physics with David Halliday and Robert Resnick.

Walker is a well known popularizer of physics, and appeared several times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Walker is known for his physics demonstrations, which have included sticking his hand in molten lead, walking barefoot over hot coals, lying on a bed of nails, and pouring freezing-cold liquid nitrogen in his mouth to demonstrate various principles of physics. Such demonstrations are included in his PBS series, Kinetic Karnival, produced by WVIZ in Cleveland, Ohio.

Walker authored The Amateur Scientist column in Scientific American magazine from 1978 to 1988. During the latter part of this period, he had been the Chairman of the Physics Department at Cleveland State University. He appeared regularly around this time on the long-running CBC radio science program Quirks and Quarks.

He is the first recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Award from Cleveland State's College of Science. The College's Faculty Affairs Committee selected Walker as the first honoree based on his contributions to science education over the last 30 years. In future years, the award will be named "The Jearl Walker Outstanding Teaching Award". The award was presented in a ceremony on April 29, 2005.

Walker graduated with a degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1967. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1973.