
<p>It is book week here at<em> Physics World</em> and over the course of three days we are presenting conversations with the authors of three fascinating and fun books about physics. First up is my <em>Physics World</em> colleague Michael Banks, whose book <a href="https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/physics-around-the-clock/"><em>Physics Around the Clock: Adventures in the Science of Everyday Living</em></a> starts with your morning coffee and ends with a formula for making your evening television viewing more satisfying.</p>

<p>As well as the rich physics of coffee, we chat about strategies for finding the best parking spot and the efficient boarding of aeroplanes. If you have ever wondered why a runner’s ponytail swings from side-to-side when they reach a certain speed – we have the answer for you.</p>
<p>Other daily mysteries that we explore include how a hard steel razor blade can be dulled by cutting relatively soft hairs and why quasiparticles called &#8220;jamitons&#8221; are helping physicists understand the spontaneous appearance of traffic jams. And a warning for squeamish listeners, we do talk about the amazing virus-spreading capabilities of a flushing toilet.</p>
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<p>This episode is supported by the <a href="https://summit.aps.org/">APS Global Physics Summit</a>, which takes place on 15–20 March , 2026, in Denver, Colorado, and online.</p>
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Better coffee, easier parking and more: the fascinating physics of daily life

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