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Author: Brain, Marshall How Chess Computers Work 
 This site illustrates how a computer program plays chess and diagrams how it calculates all possible moves using a formula called the minimax algorithm and a technique called alpha beta pruning. Information is also available on "Man vs. Machine" contests, IBM's Deep Blue, Deep Junior, international chess champion Garry Kasparov, and more. http://www.howstuffworks.com/chess.htm Topics: Games & Puzzles Last updated Feb 3, 2003 How Stuff Works
Explains simply, with excellent diagrams or pictures, how many common appliances, machines, and technologies work. Also covers health, animals, and the home. A small sample of topics covered includes: smoke detectors, remote controls, UPC bar codes, bread, digital clocks or watches, compasses, microwave ovens, fuel cells, hybrid cars, Boolean logic, lock picking, and more. Many have links to Web sites or related articles for further reading. Some of these articles might be useful for background for science projects. http://www.howstuffworks.com/ Topics: Business, Science, Technology Last updated Jun 11, 2005 How Power Grids Work
Describes the distribution of electrical power from the power plant and distribution grids to the private home and fuses and circuit breakers. From How Stuff Works. lii.org Record of the Month for September, 2003. http://science.howstuffworks.com/power.htm Topics: Electrical Energy, Technology Last updated Nov 1, 2009 How Gyroscopes Work
This site describes functioning and applications of the gyroscope, a spinning wheel on an axle. Gyroscopes are used for measuring or maintaining orientation and are "extremely important in everything from your bicycle to the advanced navigation system on the space shuttle. A typical airplane uses about a dozen gyroscopes in everything from its compass to its autopilot." Topics include causes of precision and uses of gyroscopes. From How Stuff Works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/gyroscope.htm Topics: Technology Last updated Nov 29, 2006 How Time Works
Brief answers to questions such as "why, for example, there are 12 months in a year? Why are there 30 days in September? Why are there time zones and what's with daylight-saving time? Why are there 86,400 seconds in a day?" Also includes discussions of time's origins, clocks, and B.C. and A.D. From How Stuff Works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/time.htm Topics: Ready Reference & Quick Facts Last updated Aug 24, 2008 How Pawnshops Work
This feature provides an explanation of the workings of pawnshops, which lend small amounts of money in exchange for collateral, and buy and sell used merchandise. It includes an example of a pawnshop transaction, an example of how a pawnshop is regulated in one state, details about paperwork and interest rates, description of what types of bargains might be found in a pawnshop, and related material. From HowStuffWorks. http://money.howstuffworks.com/pawnshop.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Dec 2, 2008 How Computer Viruses Work
Introduction to the operation of the computer virus, "a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs," and the worm, "a small piece of software that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself." Topics include virus origins, virus history, virus evolution, email viruses, worms, and how to protect your computer from viruses. Includes links to related material on subjects such as computer firewalls and 10 worst viruses. From HowStuffWorks. http://www.howstuffworks.com/virus.htm Topics: Computers Last updated Jan 29, 2009 How Laughter Works
This article considers laughter: "what it is, what happens in our brains when we laugh, what makes us laugh and how it can make us healthier and happier. You'll also learn that there's a tremendous amount that no one understands yet." Topics include the brain's limbic system ("a network of structures located beneath the cerebral cortex"), and the three traditional theories about what we find humorous (incongruity, superiority, and relief). From HowStuffWorks. http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-nature/emotions/other/laughter.htm Topics: Social Science, Sports, Recreation, & Entertainment Last updated Sep 14, 2009 |
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