The Basics of Heat
Part of the Core Concepts series
We often automatically equate heat with temperature to such a degree that we may not take the time to consider what heat really is. Heat refers to the energy that is transferred from one body to another that is at a lower temperature. This transfer occurs often without us knowing it, but it is ever-present and crucial to all life. This volume examines the basics of heat and the related concept of temperature. Detailed diagrams help illustrate such concepts as specific heat capacity and latent heat. Clear text explains the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation, as well as emitters, absorbers, and more.
The Basics of Light
Part of the Core Concepts series
Though we take light for granted, the world's greatest scientists have long puzzled over its nature, properties, and behavior. Its incredible speed, mysterious frequency, relationship to color, form of travel, and uncanny ability to reflect, refract, diffract, and be absorbed altogether make light the ever-elusive quarry of science's greatest hunters of knowledge and understanding. This is the enthralling account of their investigations and discoveries, their conclusive insights and ongoing questions, enhanced by full-color photographs and explanatory visual aids. If you thought you knew everything there is to know about light, think again and read on.
The Basics of Nonmetals
Part of the Core Concepts series
While nonmetals might not sound as intriguing as metals, this engaging title will reveal they are just as fascinating and essential-from hydrogen providing a basis for star formation to carbon allowing all life to exist on Earth! This exciting title includes explanatory text that introduces readers to these elements and many others that make life on Earth as we know it possible. Dynamic sidebars enhance comprehension of the text with descriptions of key topics, definitions of important terms, and ideas for hands-on activities. Each spread also offers two eye-catching images, including colorful photographs and diagrams, to help readers understand nonmetals and make connections to their everyday lives. This volume concludes with an inspiring biographical overview of the life of the scientist who discovered hydrogen, Henry Cavendish.
The Basics of Metals and Metalloids
Part of the Core Concepts series
What do a paperclip and the wings of an aircraft have in common? They are both made from metals, the planet's most common elements. This intriguing title offers a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of metals and metalloids, including their properties and many uses, from preventing sunburn to measuring temperature. Each dynamic spread includes multiple images that enhance the explanatory text, including vivid photographs and engaging diagrams. To further reader comprehension, a variety of sidebars are also found throughout the text that offer descriptions of key terms and topics, and ideas for hands-on activities. The vital information in this title is sure to help budding scientists understand and appreciate the many forms and everyday uses of metals and metalloids!
The Basics of Matter
Part of the Core Concepts series
Understanding the basics of matter is a core piece of the science curriculum. This guide to matter is an interesting, colorful introduction to these concepts in the field of science, including bright photos, fun facts, and basic experiments that allow readers to have an informative and complete hands-on learning experience. Biographical information on some of the great minds in this field of science is also included, adding a detailed timeline and an interesting and engaging historical element to the text.
The Basics of States of Matter
Part of the Core Concepts series
An understanding of the states of matter is one that we take for granted every day-when we cook, when we breathe, when we use technology. This title explores the basics of states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. It delves into the history of some of the
The Basics of Evolution
Part of the Core Concepts series
This compelling text examines evolution, its definition, and the scientific evidence that evolution has taken place. Readers explore the concepts of natural selection, Darwin's Origin of Species, genetics and evolution, population genetics, patterns in evolution and species concepts, the story of life and geological time, and human evolution. Easy-to-follow narratives offer students additional biological information in sidebars, such as "Closeup" boxes that give details about main concepts and "Try This" boxes that provide safe experiments for readers to perform. The text serves as a must-have resource on modern thinking about evolution and the history of evolutionary theories.
The Basics of the Human Body
Part of the Core Concepts series
In this stunningly comprehensive roadmap to the human body, readers experience a vividly compelling account of the long history of the study of anatomy and the many breakthroughs that inform our current notions of the human body, health, and disease. The text addresses cutting-edge research, treatments, and procedures that continue to advance our understanding of the body, its possibilities, and its limitations. Full-color photographs, illustrations, diagrams, archival images, and intriguing fact-filled sidebars make this resource perfectly suited to both the biology classroom and the high-interest section of the library.
The Basics of Heat
Part of the Core Concepts series
Heat is not just a temperature. Heat refers to energy transferred from one body to another that is at a lower temperature. This transfer occurs often without us knowing it, but it is ever-present and crucial to all life. This volume examines the basics of heat and the related concept of temperature. Detailed diagrams help illustrate such concepts as specific heat capacity and latent heat. Clear text explains the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation, as well as emitters, absorbers, and more.
The Basics of Light
Part of the Core Concepts series
The world's greatest scientists have long puzzled over the nature of light. Its incredible speed, mysterious frequency, relationship to color, form of travel, and uncanny ability to reflect, refract, diffract, and be absorbed altogether make light the ever-elusive quarry of science's greatest hunters of knowledge and understanding. This is the engaging account of their research and breakthroughs, their conclusive insights and ongoing questions, enhanced by full-color photographs and explanatory visual aids.
The Basics of Plant Structures
Part of the Core Concepts series
There are hundreds of thousands of plant species on Earth, from liverworts less than an inch tall to giant redwood trees that reach hundreds of feet into the sky. With their great variety of forms, plants have adapted to nearly every type of habitat. This title provides a strong introduction to plant biology, clearly explaining how plants' structures enable them to make food, grow, survive challenging environments, and reproduce. The text highlights the life of Carolus Linnaeus, whose plant taxonomy influenced classification in biology from his own era to the present day. The text helps readers learn the meaning of key terms as they are used in biology, as well as develop coherent understandings of important biological processes.
The Basics of Nuclear Physics
Part of the Core Concepts series
Nuclear physics has many practical applications beyond warfare, including in the fields of nuclear medicine, materials engineering, geology, and archaeology. The history of nuclear physics is full of fascinating figures--Rutherford, Geiger, Bohr, Einstein, Oppenheimer--and highly dramatic experiments, triumphs, and tragedies. Capturing both the promise and the peril of this most fascinating science with compelling, comprehensible text and full-color photos and explanatory visual aids, this volume introduces readers to the most transformative science of the modern era.
The Basics of Reproduction
Part of the Core Concepts series
This volume offers readers a comprehensive study of animal and plant reproduction, how the pollination process works, vertebrate and invertebrate reproduction, Darwin's theories on evolution, and so much more. Further, readers explore the mechanics of reproduction including the passage of genetic information from parent to offspring, cell division, and the structure of DNA. Each topic is aligned with curriculum standards for science, as eye-catching imagery and diagrams of this dynamic resource make the topic approachable yet authoritative.
The Basics of Mechanics
Part of the Core Concepts series
Aligned to the science curriculum, this stimulating volume explores mechanics by examining measurement, mass and weight, falling objects, force and acceleration, stability and equilibrium, energy, vectors and scalars, work and power, loads and levers, inclines and friction, and pulleys and gears. The text concludes with a chapter on Nicolas Copernicus, who developed the heliocentric model of the universe. Colorful diagrams explain difficult concepts and the workings of machines.
The Basics of Sound
Part of the Core Concepts series
Hearing sound is one thing, but understanding exactly how it works and what its properties are is another altogether. Answering questions concerning supersonic speed and breaking the sound barrier, how the human voice and ear work, and the age-old question of whether a tree falling in the forest unobserved makes any noise, this volume provides an accessible yet detailed and amply illustrated guide to the science of sound. The book concludes with the biography of perhaps the most important scientist to study sound-Alexander Graham Bell.
The Basics of Atoms and Molecules
Part of the Core Concepts series
This is a detailed introduction to matter, the elements of the periodic table, atoms, electrons, reactions and bonding, and radioactivity. This volume provides young adults with chemistry examples that reflect their real-world. Key terms, easy experiments
The Basics of Magnetism
Part of the Core Concepts series
Page after page, this title proves that the power of attraction is undeniable. Readers move beyond a simple fascination with the power of magnets to a clear understanding of the science behind magnetics. Natural magnets, Earth's magnetic field, and the ties between electricity and magnetics are all featured, in addition to the creation and use of magnets in commercial and everyday applications. Information about the life and work of physicist Joseph Henry, a leading electromagnetics pioneer, and a timeline of important dates in the field are also included.
The Basics of Electric Charges
Part of the Core Concepts series
Electricity might seem like a modern convenience that provides us with light, heat, communications, and power, but readers will learn about the history of electricity, from its ancient discovery to the present. The text includes a full chapter extolling the important contributions by the one and only Benjamin Franklin and a handy timeline for visual reinforcement. In this instructive volume, readers learn how electricity is produced, whether it's simple static electricity, bolts of lightning, or the movement of ions. Step-by-step projects give readers the chance to see new concepts in action.
The Basics of Electric Current
Part of the Core Concepts series
A compelling introduction to electric current, this volume investigates the conducting properties of various materials and goes on to describe ways of producing electric currents. It also describes how electricity is used in the home, in industry, and in the world of communications. Aligned to the Common Core science standards, the text explains moving charge, current and stored charge, resistance and power, direct and alternating currents, and electricity from machines, among other subjects. Nine activities help students understand practical applications. A chapter about Thomas Alva Edison honors his electric light bulb invention and the beginning of the electric age.
The Basics of Mechanics
Part of the Core Concepts series
Mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with forces and movement. Aligned to the science curriculum, this stimulating volume explores topics such as measurement, mass and weight, falling objects, force and acceleration, stability and equilibrium, energy, vectors and scalars, work and power, loads and levers, inclines and friction, and pulleys and gears. Nine projects help readers grasp a key scientific principle, such as cheating the force of gravity, inertia, and centripetal force. The text includes a chapter on Nicolas Copernicus, who developed the heliocentric model of the universe. Colorful diagrams explain certain concepts and the workings of machines.
The Basics of Electronics
Part of the Core Concepts series
Modern life makes extensive use of electronics. On a daily basis, we use smartphones, computers, and TVs in the home and robots in industry and commerce. This title outlines the development of electronics, from early vacuum tubes to today's microchips. It explains how semiconductors work at the atomic level and how they are made into solid-state devices essential for the Internet and other applications. A biographical chapter on J. J. Thomson, who discovered the electron (the key to electronics), rounds out the text. Science projects readers can try at home illustrate principles of physics.
The Basics of Nuclear Physics
Part of the Core Concepts series
When we think of nuclear physics, we often think of the fraught issues of nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons. However, nuclear physics has many other practical applications, including in the fields of nuclear medicine, materials engineering, and geology and archaeology. The history of nuclear physics is full of fascinating figures--Rutherford, Geiger, Bohr, Einstein, Oppenheimer--and highly dramatic experiments, triumphs, and utter tragedies. Capturing both the promise and the peril of this most fascinating science with compelling, comprehensible text and full-color photos and explanatory visual aids, this volume introduces readers to the most transformative science of the modern era.
The Basics of Sound
Part of the Core Concepts series
Ticking clocks, claps of thunder, the human voice-sound is anything that can be heard. Hearing sound is one thing, but understanding just how it works and what its properties are is quite another. Answering these questions and others concerning supersonic speed and breaking the sound barrier, how the human voice and ear work, and the age-old question of whether a tree falling in the forest unobserved makes any noise, this volume provides an accessible yet detailed and amply illustrated guide to the science of sound. Also included are several fun projects, which allow readers to explore in a hands-on way the nature, quality, and behavior of sound.
The Basics of Cell Biology
Part of the Core Concepts series
This text provides readers with a comprehensive study of the mechanics of cell biology. Topics covered range from the different types of cells-plant and animal, eukaryote and prokaryote, and stem cells-to the components of the cell such as the cell wall, DNA, and plasma. The text also discusses cell locomotion and the cell cycle including cell division, mitosis, and meiosis. Finally, the topic of cancer, when cells divide uncontrollably, is addressed. This title offers a biography section of the pioneers of DNA research, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, and James Watson, whose research led us to understand the structure of DNA. Along with authoritative content, this title offers eye-catching and informative images and illustrations to help keep readers engaged.
The Basics of the Periodic Table
Part of the Core Concepts series
The periodic table of elements is a simple chart, but it can be seen as a dictionary for the elements that make up everything in the universe! Students will learn about this vital chart with this comprehensive yet approachable title. The curriculum-aligned explanatory text covers how the periodic table is organized in addition to key concepts related to atoms. Engaging sidebars throughout also offer definitions of important terms in addition to more information about significant topics, such as chemical symbols. This comprehensive title also features fascinating information about the periodic table's history, including a biography of its creator, Dmitri Mendeleev. This text is sure to inspire students to appreciate the periodic table's many contributions to and uses in modern science!
The Basics of Biology
Part of the Core Concepts series
This engaging survey of biology contains awe-inspiring discoveries and a rare glimpse into biologists' working methods. This factual information is complemented by stunning full-color photos, illustrations, diagrams, and primary source images, as well as intriguing sidebars that detail do-it-yourself experiments. The text relates failed theories of the past; discusses current debates, disagreements, and discussions; and reveals the practical applications of scientific research. This is a comprehensive survey of biology, life on Earth, and how it all works.
The Basics of Genetics
Part of the Core Concepts series
The recent developments in the revolution in modern genetics represents one of the most amazing expansions of knowledge in the history of science. Incredible advances such as the mapping of the human genome are continuing to unlock the mysteries of heredity. This title gives students the power to understand the essential topic of biology by starting with the basics. The science behind each concept is explained with clear text combined with illustrations, color images, and sidebars. Biographical material on Gregor Mendel, the first person to describe how traits are passed from generation to generation, shows readers how the genetic revolution began. The text helps readers synthesize textual and visual information into a coherent understanding of genetic processes.
The Basics of Ecology
Part of the Core Concepts series
Studying ecology today is more valuable than it has ever been because of pollution and other environmental factors continuing to be a mainstream issue of concern across the globe. This volume engages the reader with bright images of animals and other life in their natural settings and informs readers on what is being done to preserve life. Sidebars and biographies of important figures helps make this a well-rounded learning experience. It is a valuable resource for any reader concerned about the environment.
The Basics of Chemical Reactions
Part of the Core Concepts series
Chemical reactions shape the world we live in. Some reactions are simple, and some are complex, which is at the very core of this informative text. This title explores the simplicity of basic chemical reactions and then builds to the more complex, giving
The Basics of Biochemistry
Part of the Core Concepts series
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur within living things. Many great scientific minds have researched this crucial topic for hundreds of years. This detailed volume not only explores the history and study of biochemistry and how
The Basics of Organic Chemistry
Part of the Core Concepts series
Chemicals can be inorganic or organic. Organic chemicals are important to comprehend because they make up many everyday objects, including plastics, medicine, and all life forms on Earth! This comprehensive yet accessible title offers explanatory text that covers key concepts of organic chemistry, including carbon atoms and bonding in addition to hydrocarbons and carbon chains. Sidebars titled "Chemistry in Action" allow readers to think critically about the connections between concepts in this book and their experiences. Other fact boxes and sidebars define key terms and even offer ideas for hands-on activities involving organic chemistry concepts. Complete with vivid photographs and diagrams on every spread, and facts about the life of the father of organic chemistry, Frederich Wohler, this title is sure to inspire a lasting appreciation for this important field of science.
The Basics of Animal Systems
Part of the Core Concepts series
In this text, readers can attend to the precise details of explanations and descriptions about animal diversity and investigate feeding differences. Animal locomotion, habitats, methods animals use to defend themselves, reproduction, and animal associations and symbioses (such as mutualisms, commensalism, and parasitism) are explored in depth. This captivating narrative also provides students with informative sidebars to help clarify concepts and includes a biography on Charles Darwin and a timeline.
The Basics of Microbes
Part of the Core Concepts series
Microscopic life holds the key to understanding many larger concepts and has even led to some amazing scientific breakthroughs. Through the pioneering efforts of people like Joseph Lister and Robert Koch, we have a greater understanding of human life and disease than ever before. This volume takes readers through the history of the research of microorganisms, and is filled with descriptive charts, sidebars, and photos for a more engaging and informative read.
The Basics of Magnetism
Part of the Core Concepts series
Page after page, this title proves that the power of attraction is undeniable. Readers move beyond a simple fascination with the power of magnets to a clear understanding of the science behind magnetics. Natural magnets, Earth's magnetic field, and the ties between electricity and magnetics are all featured, in addition to the creation and use of magnets in commercial and everyday applications. Information about the life and work of physicist Joseph Henry, a leading electromagnetics pioneer, and a timeline of important dates in the field are also included.
The Basics of Chemistry
Part of the Core Concepts series
Chemistry might seem like just another subject to take in school, but it is essential to the survival of all humans on the planet! It allows people to meet their needs of nutrition, shelter, clothing, and clean air and water. This comprehensive yet approachable title allows students to learn about the important role chemistry plays in our daily lives, including its use in extracting valuable metals and fossil fuels in addition to creating renewable energy and life-saving pharmaceuticals. Students are guided in their understanding of technical language, in addition to other curriculum-aligned concepts, with engaging sidebars in addition to eye-catching images and diagrams. This title also provides inspiring biographical information about Linus Pauling, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 for his research of chemical bonds.