The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science 50 Experiments for Daring Young Scientists

'œWARNING: This Book Contains Detailed Information About the Most Dangerous Scientific Discoveries of All Time! Read At Your Own Risk!'� (And learn a thing or two while you're at it).Yes, these experiments are actually safe to do in the comfort of your own home'”now'”but the scientific inventions and/or discoveries that inspired them were far from 'œsafe'� in their day. From the dawn of history, when our ancestors first began carving their tools (and weapons) out of stone, to the colossal Hadron Collidor of today, which promises to recreate the original Big Bang (and could, inadvertently, unleash a black hole that will swallow up the earth), mankind has been experimenting with science of the 'œpotentially catastrophic'� kind in one form or another. In The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science, Sean Connolly catalogs mankind's most revolutionary discoveries in the world of science, from the taming of fire to the smashing of atoms'”and gives kids 48 amazing experiments based on the scientific principles at the root of those discoveries.Learn about Robert Goddard's breakthroughs in jet propulsion by building your own rocket, or what Ben Franklin discovered about electricity by generating lightning in your mouth. Make slow-motion fireworks based on the ancient Chinese alchemist's formula for preparing gunpowder (discovered accidentally while looking for an elixir of immortality), or your own 'œmicrowave oven'� inspired by Theodore Maiman's first studies in laser technologies. Every truly great scientific innovation has come with some peril, whether to the scientists themselves or the world around them. With The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science kids will not only about learn these discoveries (and the times and people behind them), but gain firsthand knowledge of the science behind them.

Sean Connolly is the author of the Totally Irresponsible Science series and dozens of other books for both children and adults. A father of three, he is in an ideal position to explain the nuts and bolts of these experiments. He lives in England.