2nd Law: the more force you put on an object the faster it moves. But if you put the same amount of force on a bigger object, it will move slower. For example, if you push Albert Einstein on a swing, he will swing a lot slower than if you push me, Max, because grown-up Albert is a lot bigger (more mass). Force = Mass x Acceleration.
3rd Law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Okay, let’s do an experiment. Stand up and push on the ground with your legs. You jumped in the air, right? That’s because the force you applied to the ground also propelled you into the air.
Theory of Relativity
This is my favorite Albert Einstein theory—but you probably already knew that! It’s actually two theories: One is called “special” relativity and the other is called “general” relativity.
Special Relativity
Scientists discovered that light is really cool and weird—it doesn’t act like anything else in the universe. No matter how fast you move and no matter what direction you go, the speed of light is always the same. This was very confusing to scientists, and it took Albert Einstein to figure out how this could be true: It’s only possible if time slows down!
Scientists call this time dilation. Whether you’re riding a horse, driving a race car, or piloting a fighter jet—you measure the speed of light to be exactly the same. So time must move slower the faster you move! That’s why astronauts on the International Space Station, who are zooming around the Earth at 5 miles per second, age slower than people on Earth. Whoa.
General Relativity
Einstein’s other theory of relativity says that gravity (the powerful force that keeps us on planet Earth and not floating into space) and inertia (an object in motion tends to stay in motion) are pretty much the same. For instance, when an airplane speeds down the runway, the inertia pushes you against your seat in a way that feels just like gravity. This is why future spacecraft designs often have large spinning cylinders attached to them—it’s manufactured gravity for astronauts. Heavy stuff.
Photoelectric effect
A photon is a bundle of electromagnetic energy. It is the basic unit that makes up all light. In some cases, a photon can be absorbed by stuff (scientists call it matter) and the result is extra energy released as heat. Have you ever walked barefoot on pavement? Hot, hot, hot! That’s because blacktop absorbs the sun’s rays (i.e. photons) and releases heat.
Sometimes, when photons interact with matter, it can release electrons, and this is called the photoelectric effect. That’s how the solar panels we installed in the Congo are able to convert light into electricity. Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. I think the Change Makers should win a Nobel Prize in friendship!
Select content was created by Room 228 Educational Consulting, with public school teacher Michelle Assaad as lead teacher.
BE THE CHANGE!
Max is asked to be a part of a very special team—the Change Makers Institute (CMI). The purpose of CMI is “to make significant changes to save this planet and the humans who inhabit it.” Now it is your turn to make a difference. Create your own Change Makers Club in your school or community!
Gather a group of kids who are interested in making change. Remember to create a team like Max did where everyone brings a different skill to the club.
Find an adult to be an advisor or helper for your club.
With your club, think about a change you would like to make in your school or community to help improve it in some way. Try some Thought Experiments to get those brainstorms going! For example, create a program to reduce bullying in your school.
Make a plan! Some things to think about…
What role will each person take? (What roles existed on Max’s team? What personalities fit each role? Something to think about!)
Who are the people you need to talk with to move your plan along?
What materials will you need?
Put your idea into action and make that change!
Don’t stop there… reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Remember, even Albert Einstein made mistakes! Make those changes and plan your next problem to solve with your new Change Makers Club!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community from the National Book Foundation. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers, including Middle School, I Funny, and Jacky Ha-Ha, and his books have sold more than 385 million copies worldwide. A tireless champion of the power of books and reading, Patterson created a children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson Books, whose mission is simple: “We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say, ‘PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.’” He has donated more than three million books to students and soldiers and funds more than four hundred Teacher and Writer Education Scholarships at twenty-one colleges and universities. He has also donated millions of dollars to independent bookstores and school libraries. Patterson invests proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.
Chris Grabenstein is a New York Times–bestselling author who has collaborated with James Patterson on the I Funny, Jacky Ha-Ha, Treasure Hunters, House of Robots, and Max Einstein series, as well as Word of Mouse, Katt vs. Dogg, Pottymouth and Stoopid, Laugh Out Loud, and Daniel X: Armageddon. He lives in New York City.
JIMMY PATTERSON BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
James Patterson Presents
Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen by Merrill Wyatt
How to Be a Supervillain by Michael Fry
How to Be a Supervillain: Born to Be Good by Michael Fry
How to Be a Supervillain: Bad Guys Finish First by Michael Fry
The Unflushables by Ron Bates
Sci-Fi Junior High by John Martin and Scott Seegert
Sci-Fi Junior High: Crash Landing by John Martin and Scott Seegert
Scouts by Shannon Greenland
The Middle School Series by James Patterson
Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life
Middle School: Get Me Out of Here!
Middle School: Big Fat Liar
Middle School: How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill
Middle School: Ultimate Showdown
Middle School: Save Rafe!
Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck
Middle School: Dog’s Best Friend
Middle School: Escape to Australia
Middle School: From Hero to Zero
Middle School: Born to Rock
Middle School: All Stars
The I Funny Series by James Patterson
I Funny
I Even Funnier
I Totally Funniest
I Funny TV
I Funny: School of Laughs
The Nerdiest, Wimpiest, Dorkiest I Funny Ever
The Treasure Hunters Series by James Patterson
Treasure Hunters
Treasure Hunters: Danger Down the Nile
Treasure Hunters: Secret of the Forbidden City
Treasure Hunters: Peril at the Top of the World
Treasure Hunters: Quest for the City of Gold
Treasure Hunters: All-American Adventure
The House of Robots Series by James Patterson
House of Robots
House of Robots: Robots Go Wild!
House of Robots: Robot Revolution
The Daniel X Series by James Patterson
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
Daniel X: Watch the Skies
Daniel X: Demons and Druids
Daniel X: Game Over
Daniel X: Armageddon
Daniel X: Lights Out
Other Illustrated Novels and Stories
Ali Cross
Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment
Max Einstein: Rebels with a Cause
Dog Diaries
Dog Diaries: Happy Howlidays
Katt vs. Dogg
Unbelievably Boring
Bart
Not So Normal Norbert
Laugh Out Loud
Pottymouth and Stoopid
Jacky Ha-Ha
Jacky Ha-Ha: My Life Is a Joke
Public School Superhero
Word of Mouse
Give Please a Chance
Give Thank You a Try
Big Words for Little Geniuses
Cuddly Critters for Little Geniuses
Bigger Words for Little Geniuses
The Candies Save Christmas
For exclusives, trailers, and other information, visit jimmypatterson.org.
JAMES PATTERSON BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SERIES
A Young Adult Library Services Association Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
A Children’s Choice Book Award Nominee for Author of the Year
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A #1 Indiebound Bestseller
A Nēnē Hawaii Children’s Choice Award Winner
An Association for Library Service to Children Summer Reading List Book
A Delaware Diamonds Book Award Winner
An Oregon Children’s Choice Award Winner
An Oregon Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
A Wisconsin Golden Archer Award Nominee
A Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
A Wyoming Soaring Eagle Book Award Nominee
THE I FUNNY SERIES
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Winner
A Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Nominee
A Colorado Children’s Choice Award Nominee
THE JACKY HA-HA SERIES
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A Parents’ Choice Award Winner
A National Parenting Products Award Winner
THE TREASURE HUNTERS SERIES
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
THE HOUSE OF ROBOTS SERIES
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
THE DANIEL X SERIES
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award Nominee
A Florida Sunshine State Young Readers’ Award Nominee
WORD OF MOUSE
A Young Hoosier Award Nominee
A New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award Nominee
A Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award Nominee
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Rebels With a Cause Page 16
