Roller Coasters, Rockets & Computers Plus the Odd Space Elevator

This book brings Year/Grade 11-13 (A-Level) physics and mathematics together in the context of technology that may inspire or excite the young. In so doing, it provides a wealth of valuable material for tutors and students of physics, maths and computer science (OCR, CIE, AQA, Edexcel). Applications in mechanics include roller coaster design, the Rocket Equation and the orbital tower, or "space elevator". Radiative equilibrium between Earth and Sun is explored, along with the "greenhouse effect" and the influence of weather on surface temperature. A mathematical appendix is added to explain all required mathematics beyond GCSE, including incommensurability and irrational numbers, the origin of Euler's number e, differentiation of polynomials and logarithms, and integration. The second half of the book is devoted to the nature, origins and construction of the digital computer, from mere switches via registers and arithmetic logic (including 'look-ahead' carry).