Paul W. Zitzewitz graduated from Carleton College with a
B.A. in physics and received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from
Harvard University, also in physics. After post-doctoral posi-
tions at the University of Western Ontario and Corning Glass
Works, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan—
Dearborn, where he taught and did research on positrons and
positronium for more than 35 years.
During his career the university awarded him distin-
guished faculty awards in research, service, and teaching and
named him emeritus professor of physics and science educa-
tion in 2009. Zitzewitz has been active in local, state, and national physics teachers
organizations, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Section of
the American Association of Physics Teachers, and has been honored as a Fellow of the
American Physical Society for his work in physics education.
Zitzewitz is presently treasurer and member of the executive board of the Ameri-
can Association of Physics Teachers. He is the author of the high school physics text-
book Physics: Principles and Problems and is a contributing author to four middle-
school physical science textbooks.
Zitzewitz enjoys classical music and opera and attending plays. His hobbies are
collecting stamps of scientists (especially physicists), genealogy, and computers. He
and his wife live in Northville, Michigan, but enjoy their summer cottage in Traverse
City, especially when their children and grandchildren visit.
i
, Also from Visible Ink Press
The Handy Anatomy Answer Book The Handy Ocean Answer Book
by James Bobick and Naomi Balaban by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E
ISBN: 978-1-57859-190-9 Svarney
ISBN: 978-1-57859-063-6
The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents)
by Judy Galens and Nancy Pear The Handy Philosophy Answer Book
ISBN: 978-1-57859-110-7 by Naomi Zack
ISBN: 978-1-57859-226-5
The Handy Astronomy Answer Book
by Charles Liu The Handy Politics Answer Book
ISBN: 978-1-57859-193-0 by Gina Misiroglu
ISBN: 978-1-57859-139-8
The Handy Biology Answer Book
by James Bobick, Naomi Balaban, Sandra The Handy Psychology Answer Book
Bobick and Laurel Roberts by Lisa J. Cohen
ISBN: 978-1-57859-150-3 ISBN: 978-1-57859-223-4
The Handy Dinosaur Answer Book, 2nd Edition The Handy Religion Answer Book
by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E by John Renard
Svarney ISBN: 978-1-57859-125-1
ISBN: 978-1-57859-218-0
The Handy Science Answer Book®,
The Handy Geography Answer Book, Centennial Edition
2nd Edition by The Science and Technology
by Paul A. Tucci and Matthew T. Rosenberg Department Carnegie Library of
ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9 Pittsburgh
ISBN: 978-1-57859-140-4
The Handy Geology Answer Book
by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E The Handy Sports Answer Book
Svarney by Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom and
ISBN: 978-1-57859-156-5 Roger Matuz
ISBN: 978-1-57859-075-9
The Handy History Answer Book, 2nd Edition
by Rebecca Nelson Ferguson The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book
ISBN: 978-1-57859-170-1 by David L Hudson, Jr.
ISBN: 978-1-57859-196-1
The Handy Law Answer Book
by David L. Hudson Jr. The Handy Weather Answer Book, 2nd Edition
ISBN: 978-1-57859-217-3 by Kevin S. Hile
ISBN: 978-1-57859-215-9
The Handy Math Answer Book
by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E
Svarney
ISBN: 978-1-57859-171-8
Please visit the Handy series website at handyanswers.com
, THE
HANDY
PHYSICS
AN SWE R
BOOK
S ECON D E DITION
Paul W. Zitzewitz, PhD
Detroit