There are no fireworks in Britannica's Introduction to Physics series, only straightforward text to explain the fundamentals of physics for middle- and high-school students. Some of the science topics here are easier to explain than others r instance, explaining binary numbers used in digitization is much easier than making Planck's quantum theory of heat understandable. For the most part, though, with their attractive, lively graphics, these will make good supplements in libraries needing lots of science-experiment background information. Electronics is the smoothest read of the series, discussing the familiar hands-on applications of physics in devices like iPods and video games; it wisely saves the history for the end, when the basic subjects are already understood. Students are often forbidden from using encyclopedias in writing research papers; this series offers the same overview in an acceptable format.