Penguin Books Australia

Every year, many unsuspecting high school and college students enrol in physics only to find out on the first day of class that they and Professor Proton aren't exactly on the same wavelength. A few lumens later, and these poor saps find themselves on the verge of spontaneous combustion!

No worries! As an easy, approachable companion to this dreaded subject, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Physics ...

Earth's magnetic shield is essential to life on Earth because it deflects the sun's violent and toxic rays. Magnetism itself has been, throughout human history, the main method of navigation –  and is even used by migrating birds and animals.

But what is the source of Earth's magnetism? What mysterious force makes compass needles point to the poles, and dangerous particles from the sun veer...