• Learn how things work

As this book explores the objects of everyday life, it gradually uncovers most of the physical laws that govern the universe. It reveals those laws as they were originally discovered: while trying to understand real objects. This book reminds students of these connections and is ordered so that later objects build on their understanding of concepts encountered earlier.

• Three-way approach to the equation of physics

The laws and equations of physics are presented in three different forms. The first is a word equation, identifying each physical quantity by name to avoid any ambiguities. The second is a symbolic equation, using the standard format and notation. The third is a sentence that conveys the meaning of the equation in simple terms and often by example.

• Illustrations and photographs are about real things

Whenever possible, artwork is built around familiar objects so that the concepts the artwork is meant to convey become associated with objects students already know. Many students are visual learners—if they see it, they can learn it. By lowering the boundaries between what the students see in the book and what they see in their environment, the artwork of this book makes science a part of their world.