• Reorganization of chapters and sections

How Things Work has been rearranged into 16 chapters rather than the 14 chapters of the second edition. How Things Work now concentrates on the exploration of each object and on the physics it portrays best. The result is a smoother, more coherent discussion with fewer digressions or jarring transitions.

• Wider coverage of physics concepts

This edition provides new or improved coverage of some important physics issues, including material phases and phase transitions, mechanical waves, quantum physics, physics of solids, atomic structure, vision, radioactivity and half-life, and relativity.

• Thoroughly updated

This edition reflects recent changes in technology, particularly in the sections on audio players, lasers and LEDs, and cameras.

• Common Misconceptions and Intuition Alert boxes added

These boxed features were added to help students resolve the number of common misconceptions and misleading intuitions that can easily confuse students and shake their confidence in what they are learning.

• Page references to chapter summaries and answers to questions

Readers seeking a more detailed introduction to a chapter are now guided directly to the chapter summary. Also page references have been added for the answers and explanations for the Check Your Understanding or Check Your Figures questions.

• Better visual cues for key points

Most key physics concepts and laws now appear in boxed statements. This highlighting calls attention to important concepts and makes the material easier to review.