Fundamentals of Physics

How can a dead rattlesnake strike a reaching hand?

The answer is in this chapter.

Because of their highly poisonous venom, rattlesnakes pose a danger to humans. When the snakes are discovered in residential areas, they are usually killed. However, the death of a rattlesnake does not immediately decrease its danger. Indeed, numerous people have made the error of reaching for a dead snake to remove it. Although the snake may have been dead for as long as 30 minutes, it can still strike a person, burying its fangs into a reaching hand and delivering its venom.

18-1   What Is Physics?

One of the principal branches of physics and engineering is thermodynamics, which is the study and application of the thermal energy (often called the internal energy) of systems. One of the central concepts of thermodynamics is temperature, which we begin to explore in the next section. Since childhood, you have been developing a working knowledge of thermal energy and temperature. For example, you know to be cautious with hot foods and hot stoves and to store perishable foods in cool or cold compartments. You also know how to control the temperature inside home and car, and how to protect yourself from wind chill and sunburn.

Examples of how thermodynamics figures into everyday engineering and science ...