The Magic of Science and the Science of Magic "Magic's just science that we don't understand yet." --Arthur C. Clarke, writer and inventor. "If you're scientifically literate, the world looks very different to you." --Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist. I've loved doing science experiments since I was little. When I was about ten, my parents encouraged this passion by taking me to science museums, such as the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto and the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I had a marvelous time pressing buttons, lifting levers, cranking gears, creating sparks, and so much more. Around that age, I also became very interested in magic and loved to perform card tricks, make balls float, and cause coins to vanish. I even performed shows at birthday parties as the Amazing Nadroj (my first name backward) and the Great Jordini (after my hero, Houdini). So, many years later, when I was asked to write a book for kids on physics that featured entertaining "magical" experiments, I jumped at the chance. What is physics, anyway? It's a branch of science that explores topics such as motion, energy, magnetism, electricity, light, and sound. Physicists study itty-bitty things, like atoms, as well as super big objects, like stars, planets, and even galaxies. Physicists ask mind-blowing questions such as, "What if there were no gravity?" "What if you could travel at the speed of light?" and "What would happen if I dropped this watermelon off a tall building?" As you play around with physics in this book, you'll learn some amazing science-based tricks and experiments that you can share with your friends and family. I also hope that you'll enjoy showing off what you learn in "the Science Behind the Stunts." It's time to turn things over to the host of this book, a curious and enthusiastic scientist and showman whose enthusiasm for physics is unmatched. I present to you the one, the only . . . Dr. Dazz! Excerpted from Science Stunts: Fun Feats of Physics by Jordan D. Brown All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
