As a science geek, once of the coolest gifts I ever received was a copy of The Physics of Christmas, given to me by my grandmother only a few years before her death. In addition to some discussion of the thermodynamics of cooking turkey and the possible scientific explanation of the Christmas star, there's a great historical analysis of how Christmas has change over the years. One of the most fun parts for me was the chapter which discussed Santa. How could he travel the whole world in one night? Well, physics offers some ideas.
So if you're looking for an unexpected Christmas gift for a physics geek in your life, I think that The Physics of Christmas is a great idea for something to go under the tree.
Comments
I am shocked, and totally amused that their is any scientific
or physical relation to a made up of holiday for child like minds.
Your money making holiday, for people to get into debt and stressed out, may I ask for what.
Are you people either logical or rational, your ancestors who
were ignorant as well as naive made up this holiday.
How any educated scientist believes in this nonsense
bemuses me and now for me you are not credible
people just as that idiot Darwin said we came from monkeys. Just think if we evolved from apes then why are they still in existence. Think will you.
I shake my head, are you guys intellectuals with intelligence or what.
There is naiveté and there is just plain dumb as this post displays. Ironically, the writer is laying claim to some knowledge and gives him/herself away with the monkey bit.
I have asked physicist time and again, why not add a fifth very powerful basic force of nature to the famous four…that of ignorance.
Ignorance is a force to be reckoned with.