Have you ever wondered how to brew the perfect cup of coffee, how to select the best seat on a plane or how to rid your garden of slugs and snails? Or even what physics has to say about love and divorce? Even if you haven’t considered these particular dilemmas, there are a whole host of others addressed in a new book, released last month by local author, Michael Banks.
Physics Around the Clock – Adventures in the Science of Everyday Living answers all of the above and much more with a humorous and accessible journey through the science of daily life and how many aspects of life can be explained – and even enhanced – through physics. It follows the routines and activities of a typical day, from breakfast to bedtime, bound together with an entertaining look at what science can reveal about our everyday situations.
This is Michael’s second popular-science book, following on from his 2022 publication, The Secret Science of Baby, which examined the surprising physics behind conception, pregnancy and babyhood.
In his ‘day job’ as the news editor of ‘Physics World’ magazine – the international monthly publication from the UK Institute of Physics, which has its publishing house in Bristol – Michael has written numerous articles on the latest developments in physics, along with editing and writing reviews and blogs, and news pieces for outlets including ‘Nature’ and ‘BBC Focus’.
Of his second book publishing success, Michael, who lives in Henleaze with his wife and two children, said: “I’ve always been interested in science that is relatable to everyday life, which was one of the reasons for writing my first book.
“With this latest book, I really wanted to get across that physics isn’t just an abstract subject about subatomic particles or mind boggling equations but is something that is all around us and relevant to everything we do day in, day out.
“I also use the science to offer tips and tricks including how to cook perfect pasta, pour the ideal glass of champagne or give you the best chance to win at Monopoly, so hopefully it has something for everyone and it was certainly a lot of fun to write.”
Physics Around the Clock is available from Max Minerva’s bookshop in Henleaze, as well as the usual outlets such as Amazon, Waterstones and WH Smith. A US version will be published in April 2026, with traditional Chinese translation rights very recently sold to a publisher in Taiwan.