Why Can’t I Feel the Earth Spinning?: And other vital questions about science

Why do I have to wash? Why don’t aeroplanes fall down?
Where do mountains come from? Why is the sea blue?
Why do I dream?
This book invites young people to discover more about the world around them by asking and answering questions for themselves. The book is structured around twentytwo questions, each one tackled over two spreads. The first spread explores the question and answer, supported by a detailed illustration, photograph or diagram. The second spread asks further questions on a similar theme to help build an understanding of how science underlies everything from the ingredients in our fridge to reaching the moon. The tone of the text is fresh and informal without being flippant.

Table of Contents

What is science?: Introduction • Why are trees green?: Trees and forests • How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?: Dinosaurs and early humans • What do plants eat?: Plants and flowers • Why do I have to wash?: Skin and sweat • Are maps always right?: How we see our world • Why does my hair grow?: Hair, nails and blood • Why does medicine taste so bad?: Medicine and mould • How do surgeons know what to take out?: Surgery and anatomy • Why is bread full of bubbles?: Yeast and fermentation • Why do stars twinkle?: Stars and planets How was the earth made?: The ‘Big Bang’ and the Sun • What’s inside a black hole?: Space and the Universe • Why do sirens sound weird when they go past?: Sound and radio waves Why don’t aeroplanes fall down?: Flight and motion • How do we know the world is round?: Orbits and gravity • Why is the sea blue?: The ocean and deep-sea exploration • Where do mountains come from?: Plate tectonics and volcanoes • What makes thunder and lightning?: Weather and electricity • Could I live on Mars?: Space travel • Is ‘the cloud’ a real cloud?: Computers and robots • Why do i dream?: Sleep and the brain