Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home - But Probably Shouldn't [Hardcover]

Theodore Gray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2009

In the spirit of Discovery Channel's MythBusters and Smash Lab, Popular Science columnist Theo Gray demonstrates fundamental scientific principles through wacky, daredevil experiments that will have readers exclaiming, "Holy !!*$#!!" Witness as he makes subatomic radioactive particles dance in a cloud chamber, mixes sodium and chlorine to create a smoke that will salt a super-sized bag of popcorn, adds 500 pounds of quicklime to water to create a homemade hot tub, builds a liquid battery out of copper sulfate, launches a rocket with a Snickers bar, and uses liquid nitrogen to make a gallon of ice cream in record time. These are just a few of the 52 extreme experiments brought to life by Theo Gray in Mad Science.

Culled from his column "Gray Matter," which has been a favorite of Popular Science readers for years, these experiments have been expanded to include even more of the fascinating science behind them, as well as hundreds of additional images. Every experiment is accompanied by stunning full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to split-second chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. Gray's writing is fresh, hip, and makes the science exciting and easy to understand. Not only are the experiments visually arresting, each one explains a fascinating principle of elemental science in a unique and irresistibly compelling way.

Mad Science is the perfect book for anyone—of any age, who is fascinated by all things electrical, chemical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a fabulous book, and a real education, too – a beautiful introduction to hands-on chemistry. Theo Gray brings us dozens of experiments in minute, clear, and loving detail, and each one becomes a door onto the marvels of how chemicals react. Whether he is showing us how to make table salt from its violent elements, or, in a quieter vein, to make one’s own nylon thread or “lead” pencils, Gray’s encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms, while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun.”

—Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings, Musicophillia, Uncle Tungsten, and many others

(Oliver Sacks )

“I've spent 22 years working with Theo Gray on creating software, seeing him find simple ways to do the seemingly impossible.  You're in for a treat here when he applies the same creativity and insight to revealing the science of everyday things.”
—Stephen Wolfram, creator of Mathematica® and author of A New Kind of Science


(Stephen Wolfram )

“What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in. Every single photo shows not only a deep love of science in the abstract, but also a tinkerer's love of the STUFF of science; the tools and glass, the clay and metal, and all the things that make science accessible to everyone.”

—Adam Savage, star of MythBusters

(Adam Savage )

What good is this Nobel Prize around my neck if it doesn’t produce admiration for science writers such as Theo Gray, whose skillful work helps convert young students into serious researchers.”

—Leon Lederman, winner of the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics

(Leon Lederman )

“Theo's MAD SCIENCE is destined to inspire and spark the imaginations of the next generation of makers, tinkerers, engineers and mad scientists!”

—Phillip Torrone, Senior Editor of Make magazine

(Phillip Torrone )

“Theodore Gray has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire.”

—Cecil Adams, The Straight Dope

(Cecil Adams )

About the Author

Theodore Gray is the author of Popular Science magazine's “Gray Matter” column, the proprietor of periodictable.com and the creator of the iconic photographic periodic table poster seen in universities, schools, museums and TV shows from “MythBusters” to “Hannah Montana”.  In his other life he is cofounder of the major software company Wolfram Research, creators of the world's leading technical software system, Mathematica™. He lives in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers; 1St Edition edition (March 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579127916
• ISBN-13: 978-1579127916
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

More About the Author

Theodore Gray is the author of Popular Science magazine's "Gray Matter" column, the proprietor of periodictable.com and the creator of the iconic photographic periodic table poster seen in universities, schools, museums and TV shows from "MythBusters" to "Hannah Montana". In his other life he is cofounder of the major software company Wolfram Research, creators of the world's leading technical software system, Mathematica™. He lives in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comments from a 13-year-old and an 88-year-old retired physicist, April 16, 2009

By 

SocJan (Champaign, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home - But Probably Shouldn't (Hardcover)

Who among us hasn't wanted to blow something up? I lent my copy of this book to a very distinguished 88-year-old who made pioneering measurements of the properties of single crystal metals. A week later I dropped in to see him.

"I read the whole thing," he reported. "Every page. This guy is telling people how to do really DANGEROUS things! It's great! I just hope no one gets killed."

Reminded by Gray's alkali metals explosions, he was eager to tell me about the time he himself threw a chunk of sodium into the stream near his house. He was 12 years old. It was 1933. ("We could get that sort of thing then; kids today can't. I took it from my brother's chemistry set when he was off at college.")

"The explosion was enormous, much bigger than I expected. Glass pieces flew all around my head. I could have been killed." He paused, a big smile on his face. "I never told my mother."

The rest of our conversation focused on how today's kids just don't get to tinker and experiment with materials the way we did in his day, and even in mine. He thinks the best thing about this book is that the excitement gets captured in Theo Gray's words (which are often funny) and the GREAT pictures; maybe reading this book can give kids -- and even adults who missed this part of growing up -- a feel for what those of us who survived those childhoods remember most fondly about them.

Shortly after that conversation I was talking with a woman whose 13-year-old son bought a copy. He, too, read the whole thing. But he got mad when he realized that he couldn't really repeat these experiments in their kitchen. (I guess he'll just have to sign up for chemistry lab, if any school still has one.)

So there they are -- 75 years apart in age: both read it from cover to cover and want to tell all about it. What more recommendation do you need? You don't even have to hear what I think. (But I'll tell you anyway: this is THE ULTIMATE GIFT BOOK and you should start by giving it to yourself.)

Reading never killed anyone; the only way this book can kill you is from laughing. (And if you really must repeat any of the experiments, Gray is actually VERY CAREFUL to point out what the risks are and how to avoid them).

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "Experiments You'd Like to Do But Can't", September 9, 2010

By 

Babbles (NH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home - But Probably Shouldn't (Hardcover)

The subtitle of this book is, "Experiments You Can Do At Home But Probably Shouldn't." A better subtitle would be, "Experiments You Would Like to Do At Home But Can't."

The experiments look totally cool, so I bought the book. I wanted to make the proposed Lightning Pattern. But the first item on the supply list is"Van de Graff static electric machine." Oh well, next experiment: "How to Make and Break Glass." Cool! Supply list for this experiment: Glass maker's furnace! Next? "How to Make a Match." Sounds good. Supply list: Red phosphorous, a chemical which, the book warns, is a federal crime to have in private possession.

The few remaining viable experiments are quite cool to quickly read about, so it would make a good book to check out of a library rather than purchase.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars These experiments aren't done with household items, May 10, 2009

By 

Joseph G. Kim "J O" (Suwanee, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do At Home - But Probably Shouldn't (Hardcover)

It's a great book with great content--lots of large colorful photos and a variety of labs will definitely keep you interested. However, don't get too excited! You're not going to be able to do a majority of these experiments with common household items. Most of the labs require chemicals, metals, and parts that the average family would not possess. So if you're just curious and wanna play with chemistry, this isn't the best book for you. You'll be able to admire the concepts and pictures, but you won't get to carry out the actual experiments without access to some uncommon materials (which can be ordered online of course).

And this book is for those who "know what they're doing".