Why do golf balls have dimples?

January 26th, 2012

Ever wondered why golf balls have dimples or if bungee jumping can really make your eyes fall out – well, one award winning University science communicator thinks she has the answers.

Wendy Sadler from the School of Physics and Astronomy will unveil her latest book entitled: Why do golf balls have dimples? which sets out to answer some of the more obscure science related questions to help kick-start interest in reading.

Wendy Sadler, said: "Many people think science is something they can't do or aren't good at. However, everyone is curious about the world around them and I think if you can tap into that curiosity and explain things in a simple way then everyone has the potential to enjoy a bit of science.

"You don't have to be Einstein to get an understanding of how things work so hopefully I have been able to choose things in the book which will be of interest to a lot of people whilst not being too technical in how they are explained."

The book is part of the Quick Reads series of books supported by the Welsh Books Council and designed for people who want a fun, fast read, have lost the reading habit or find reading tough.

Wendy Sadler is the founding Director of science made simple - the award-winning company which specialises in making science inspirational and fun. She has written 19 books for children and is a contributor on BBC Radio Wales. Her company's science shows have toured in 22 countries and appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Her vast knowledge and expertise has led to slots on television programmes such as Tomorrow’s World and the Alan Titchmarsh Show, and a successful science theatre show which has toured the world.

Wendy adds: "The Quick Reads series is a fantastic opportunity to reach a whole new audience with the curiosity and passion I have for science.

"Most of the science presenting I do is verbal so when you finish the presentation it can feel like an intangible thing, a book is something completely different - you can hold it in your hands and keep it on a shelf to look at or show to other people over and over again.

"It was very difficult choosing which questions would be most interesting. I would start researching one question and it would usually lead me to about 10 others that I thought were fascinating.

"It is also very exciting to achieve a life-long ambition of writing a book that is illustrated by a very talented artist friend I have had since primary school - Liz Bryan - as we've always wanted to write a book together."

Delyth Humphreys, Head of the Children's Books and Reading Promotion Department at the Welsh Books Council, added: "The Quick Reads / Stori Sydyn campaign is gaining momentum and encouraging thousands of people across Wales – many of whom may not have read a book before – to give reading a go.

"The new titles for 2012 offer a fascinating mix of subject matters both real-life and fiction, which I’m sure will appeal to people of all ages and interests."

One of eight new Quick Reads titles for 2012 they were officially unveiled at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 25th January.

Provided by Cardiff University