Entertaining Science. Physics. Mechanics. Astronomy

Yakov Isidorovich Perelman (1882–1942) — a Russian and Soviet physicist and mathematician, creator of a special genre in popular science literature — "entertaining science." "Entertaining science," wrote Y. I. Perelman, "aims to present familiar things, long-known phenomena that have lost their interest in our eyes, from a new, unusual, and sometimes unexpected angle. Novelty provokes interest, and interest helps to focus attention and awakens the work of thought." In the rich literary legacy of Y. I. Perelman, it is customary to highlight ten main books that formed the foundation of "entertaining science." This edition includes five of them, which discuss physical laws and phenomena, principles of mechanics, cosmic space, and interplanetary travel. Curious readers will be introduced to many fascinating experiments, intriguing stories, ingenious puzzles, amusing problems, and paradoxes, as well as learn about the projects of the first scientific dreamers that made journeys beyond Earth possible.