The science answer book II

THE HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK The Handy Answer Book™ Series The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) The Handy Bug Answer Book The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book The Handy Geography Answer Book The Handy History Answer Book The Handy Ocean Answer Book The Handy Physics Answer Book The Handy Politics Answer Book The Handy Religion Answer Book The Handy Science Answer Book The Handy Space Answer Book The Handy Sports Answer Book The Handy Weather Answer Book THE HAN DY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK ™ CENTENNIAL EDITION Compiled by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Edited by James E Bobick and Naomi E Balaban Detroit THE HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK™ Centennial Edition Copyright 2003 by The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Since this page cannot legibly accommodate all copyright notices, the credits constitute an extension of the copyright notice This publication is a creative work fully protected by all applicable copyright laws, as well as by misappropriation, trade secret, unfair competition, and other applicable laws No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine or newspaper All rights to this publication will be vigorously defended Visible Ink Press™ 42015 Ford Rd #208 Canton, MI 48187-3669 Visible Ink Press is a trademark of Visible Ink Press LLC Most Visible Ink Press books are available at special quantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations, organizations, or groups Customized printings, special imprints, messages, and excerpts can be produced to meet your needs For more information, contact Special Markets Director, Visible Ink Press, at www.visibleink.com Art Director: Mary Claire Krzewinski Typesetter: Graphix Group ISBN 1-57859-140-6 Cataloguing-in-Publication data is available from the Library of Congress Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved 10 Contents INTRODUCTION XI ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CREDITS XVI XV PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY Energy, Motion, Force, and Heat Light, Sound, and Other Waves Matter 12 Chemical Elements, etc 17 Measurement, Methodology, etc 27 SPACE Universe 33 Stars 36 Planets and Moons 48 Comets, Meteorites, etc 60 Observation and Measurement 64 Exploration 68 v EARTH Air 81 Physical Characteristics, etc 83 Water 87 Land 95 Volcanoes and Earthquakes 105 Observation and Measurement 113 CLIMATE AND WEATHER Temperature 119 Air Phenomena Wind 122 127 Precipitation 138 Weather Prediction 143 MINERALS AND OTHER MATERIALS Rocks and Minerals 147 Metals 156 Natural Substances 162 Man-made Products 168 vi ENERGY Non-nuclear Fuels 181 Nuclear Power 190 Measures and Measurement 195 Consumption and Conservation 198 ENVIRONMENT Ecology, Resources, etc 205 Extinct and Endangered Plants and Animals 216 Pollution 224 Recycling, Conservation, and Water 235 BIOLOGY Cells 245 Evolution and Genetics 249 Life Processes, Structures, etc 263 Classification, Measurement, and Terms 264 Fungi, Bacteria, Algae, etc 269 vii PLANT WORLD Physical Characteristics, Functions, etc 273 Trees and Shrubs 275 Flowers and Other Plants 280 Gardening, Farming, etc 289 ANIMAL WORLD Physical Characteristics, etc 305 Names 313 Insects, Spiders, etc 317 Aquatic Life 328 Reptiles and Amphibians 333 Birds 335 Mammals 344 Pets 356 HUMAN BODY Functions, Processes, and Characteristics 367 Bones, Muscles, and Nerves 383 Organs and Glands Body Fluids 386 392 Skin, Hair, and Nails 397 Senses and Sense Organs viii 400 HEALTH AND MEDICINE Health Hazards, Risks, etc 407 First Aid, Poisons, etc 416 Diseases, Disorders, and Other Health Problems 423 Health Care 440 Diagnostic Equipment, Tests, etc 445 Drugs, Medicines, etc 447 Surgery and Other Non-drug Treatments 459 WEIGHTS, MEASURES, TIME, TOOLS, AND WEAPONS Weights, Measures, and Measurement 465 Time 474 Tools, Machines, and Processes 489 Weapons 496 5600' BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES Buildings and Building Parts 505 Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels 513 Miscellaneous Structures 519 ix ... Book The Handy History Answer Book The Handy Ocean Answer Book The Handy Physics Answer Book The Handy Politics Answer Book The Handy Religion Answer Book The Handy Science Answer Book The Handy.. .THE HANDY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK The Handy Answer Book? ?? Series The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) The Handy Bug Answer Book The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book The Handy Geography Answer Book. .. Handy Space Answer Book The Handy Sports Answer Book The Handy Weather Answer Book THE HAN DY SCIENCE ANSWER BOOK ™ CENTENNIAL EDITION Compiled by the Science and Technology Department of the Carnegie