KING@KESTREL@sri-unix.UUCP (09/22/83)
From: Richard M. King <KING at KESTREL> My kid is getting to be that age. I'd like to give her a concise description of how they worked out that matter has atoms. Can anyone recommend a book for a 9-yr old? Dick -------
Shinbrot.WBST@PARC-MAXC.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP (09/23/83)
Yes, Yes, Yes. George Gamow wrote several books on physics, biology and chemistry for novices, replete with cute sketches. For Biology, see Dr. Tompkins Inside Himself. For History of Physics, see Thirty Years that Shook the World. For "atoms" and the like, see Mr. Tompkins in Wonderland. This is a books which includes short (~20 pages) stories about various topics as advanced as general relativity, but also as mundane as atomic physics. If her precise interest isn't reflected in one of these, let me know & I'll dig up names of some other likely books. If you go to the library & look under Gamow, I think you'll not be disappointed. Good luck. - Troy Incidentally, I also know of some genetics, evolution and even calculus comic books.
gwyn@brl-vld@sri-unix.UUCP (09/24/83)
From: Doug Gwyn (VLD/VMB) <gwyn@brl-vld> The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. I has an explanation of evidence for the atomic nature of matter that should be understandable without needing to know mathematics or physics. It is far preferable to the simplistic treatment given in books targeted specifically at younger folks. It is also an excellent book to have around as one grows up.
mark@umcp-cs.UUCP (09/27/83)
How they worked out that matter has atoms is not such an easy topic
to explain. It was not very easy to work out, and for a long
time much had to be taken on faith (until isotopes explained
all the strange numbers and suddenly everything fit exactly).
However, the periodic table is a pretty interesting animal, and
perhaps there is an nice intro-to-science book all about the periodic
table. That is what I would suggest. If anyone hears about
such a book I would like to know about it.
--
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