Why doesn't honey flow out in all directions across your toast? What's the science behind the theory of 'six degrees of separation'? How do stones 'skip'? When visiting a new place, why does getting there always seem to take so much longer than returning home? In The Velocity of Honey, bestselling author Jay Ingram muses upon these and many more daily mysteries that puzzle and perplex. From mosquitoes to the Marvel Universe, baseball to baby-holding, Ingram's topics are diverse. He also makes startling connections. In some pieces, he relates anecdotes from the history of science and demonstrates their relevance to contemporary scientific debates. In others, he explores the science behind many of our proverbial expressions, common sayings such as 'time flies when you're having fun' and 'it's a small world after all.' In still others, he highlights intriguing links between the worlds of art and science. As in his hugely popular The Science of Everyday Life, Ingram makes the science of our lives accessible and fascinating.

Chock-full of peculiar puzzles, mind-bending mythbusters, and quirky questions, the fifth pop science book in the bestselling Science of Why series is perfect for anyone curious about the weird and wondrous world we live in. Have you ever wondered if octopuses are from outer space? What Mexican jumping beans are? Or if banana peels are really slippery? If questions like these are keeping you up at night, you can rest easy. Bestselling author Jay Ingram is here to answer all the whimsical and whacky wonderings that have baffled people since the dawn of time. From our bodies to our pets (and other beasts) to the natural world around us, Jay tackles science topics big and small, such as: Did dinosaurs sit on their eggs? What is our funny bone? Is there a specific muscle that makes dogs cute? Because who hasn’t pondered whether plants have feelings? Or if Robin Hood was a real person? Or what humans will look like in the future? Teeming with amusing answers to bemusing questions—and handy and hilarious illustrations—this latest volume separates fact from fiction, lesson from legend, and myth from marvel. Endlessly illuminating and entertaining, The Science of Why, Volume 5 is five times the fun for new and old readers of the series.

Back by popular demand: a brand-new volume of science queries, quirks, and quandaries in the mega-bestselling Science of Why series, sure to enlighten and entertain readers of all ages. Have you ever wondered why we close our eyes when we sneeze? Or how far underground things can live? Or if there’s a way to choose the fastest lineup at the grocery store? Yes? Then fasten your seat belts! Bestselling author Jay Ingram is here to take you on a rollercoaster ride through science’s most perplexing puzzles. From the age-old mysteries that have fascinated us to the pressing unknowns about our future and all the everyday wonderings in-between, Jay answers questions that confound and dumbfound, such as: Why do zebras have stripes? How many universes might there be? Can we live for 200 years? ...along with everything you ever wanted to know about alien civilizations, photographic memories, nanobots, poop, and (conveniently) toilet paper. Bursting with laugh-out-loud illustrations, jaw-dropping marvels, and head-scratching science fictions, The Science of Why, Volume 4 will give readers of all stripes a real thrill.

The newest volume in the beloved Science of Why series—full of fascinating science that will amuse and astonish readers of all ages. Have you wondered why you cringe when fingernails are scratched along a chalkboard? Or why some people are left-handed? Or if a shark can smell a drop of blood a mile away? Then you’re in luck! Bestselling author Jay Ingram is back to answer all those questions and more as he explores and explains the world around us in all of its head-scratching curiosity. From the smallest parts inside us to the biggest questions about our universe, Jay tackles pressing topics, such as: Could we use a laser to shoot an asteroid that was about to hit earth? What exactly was a dodo and why did it go extinct? What makes peppers spicy? Touching on everything from food to robots to space to the animal kingdom, The Science of Why 3 is perfect for anyone who has stayed up late into the night pondering the weird and wonderful world we live in. Full of captivating science questions (and answers!), this book is sure to surprise and delight science readers of all ages.

Ever wonder why onions make you cry? Or why lizards do pushups? Or why leaves change color in the fall? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Acclaimed science writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram wonders the same things. After a long career of asking important questions (Does time speed up as we age? How much Neanderthal is in me? Why do some animals throw their feces?), he’s here to put our scientific quandaries to rest. In this insightful, witty book for curious readers of all ages, Jay shares his favorite head-scratchers and mind-benders, settling pressing questions, such as... -What is déjà vu? -Why were Tyrannosaurus Rex’s arms so short? -Why are you plagued by mosquitoes while your friends aren’t? -Does your cat actually like you?* -What is déjà vu? ...along with everything you ever wondered about human echolocation, Bigfoot and farts (though not all at once). Whimsically illustrated and chock-full of fun science facts (and fictions), this book will delight and surprise your inner science geek. *SPOILER: She actually thinks you’re a larger, dumber version of her mother.

Jay Ingram takes us on a tour of the universe, and explores scientific wonders big and small.