Description
This How Things Work eBook from 3D-LABS is written for engineers and students who want a clear, practical reference they can apply immediately.
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 explains engineering and science inside everyday objects – smartphones, elevators, MRI, Wi-Fi, jet engines – in clear illustrated language with accurate technical facts and Indian examples.
What technologies are explained?
Smartphone touchscreen (capacitive, finger changes 10-30 pF grid to +-1 mm accuracy), elevator (counterweight reduces motor load ~50%, IS 14665 safety governor at 1.25x rated speed), MRI (1.5-3 Tesla, Larmor f=gamma*B0/(2*pi)), jet engine (Brayton cycle), and Wi-Fi (802.11n OFDM, 2.4 GHz).
What Indian technology examples are used?
Mumbai Metro CBTC driverless system, BHEL steam turbine (Rankine cycle ~40% efficiency), ISRO Chandrayaan-3 Pragyan rover (solar-powered, lunar regolith), Indian Railways WDG-4 diesel (GM 710G, 16-cylinder, 4000 HP), and Srinagar Zero Bridge suspension cable tension T=wL^2/(8d).
How is this book aligned with CBSE curriculum?
Each technology tagged to NCERT Science Grade 6-10. MRI to Magnetic Effects (Grade 10 Ch. 13), elevator to Force and Pressure (Grade 8 Ch. 11). Supports CBSE board application questions and NTSE technology awareness section.
How do I access this book after purchase?
eBook PDF: Instant download via email and 3D-LABS dashboard. Paper Book: Printed and shipped to India.
What’s Included
An instant PDF download covering the core concepts, practical examples, and key references — ready to read on any device.
Related Reading
- Electronics for Curious Kids — Ages 8 to 14
- Why Does It Work? — Ages 7 to 12
- Picture Physics — Ages 10 to 16
Download the How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 e-book from 3D-LABS — instant PDF access with lifetime re-downloads.
About How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is part of the 3D-LABS STEM series — a focused e-book library for STEM students, early-career engineers, and educators. This title covers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fundamentals with real-world applications, with worked examples and industry-current best practices drawn from real STEM education projects.
Written by practising 3D-LABS engineers and reviewed by senior specialists, How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is designed to move you from concept to competence quickly — not to be a comprehensive academic reference, but a working reference you actually use.
Who How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is for
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is written for STEM students, early-career engineers, and educators. If you are:
- An early-career engineer wanting to accelerate your practical knowledge in STEM education.
- An experienced practitioner looking for a compact reference on current practices.
- A student preparing for engineering exams, interviews, or your first professional role.
- A manager or team lead wanting to level-set your team on STEM education fundamentals.
Then How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 will earn its price back in the first project or exam you apply it to.
What is included in your download
- The complete PDF e-book — DRM-free, fully searchable, print-friendly formatting.
- Worked examples — real-world calculations, drawings, or case studies interspersed through the text.
- Reference charts and tables — quick-lookup material you will return to on the job.
- Further reading recommendations — curated pointers to codes, standards, and complementary resources.
- Free updates — when we revise the book, you get the updated PDF at no extra cost. We notify you by email.
Pricing and delivery
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is priced at ₹599 (USD equivalent shown in cart). Delivery is instant — after payment, the download link is emailed to you and available in your account. No subscriptions, no hidden fees, no expiring access.
Payment methods: Cashfree (Indian customers) or PayPal International (customers outside India). Bulk licensing available for corporate training programmes and educational institutions — contact sales@3d-labs.com.
How to get the most out of How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14
- Read the introduction and structure first — every book has a "how to use this book" section that maps chapters to the reader you are.
- Work through the examples with pen and paper — passive reading is 10% retention; working the calculation yourself is 70%+.
- Cross-reference with the 3D-LABS spreadsheet library — 680 Excel calculation tools that pair naturally with our e-books.
- Apply the concepts to a real project immediately — the book will pay for itself the first time you avoid a design error.
- Come back to the book after 6 months — with real project experience, you will read the same chapters differently.
Related titles and services
Readers of How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 typically also work with:
- Other titles in the STEM book series — currently 12 titles.
- The Online Training — for projects where you need experienced STEM education engineers directly.
- Our 680 engineering calculation spreadsheets — Excel tools that complement the theory in this book.
- Our online training courses — instructor-led programmes on STEM education topics.
Frequently asked questions
What format is How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 delivered in?
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is delivered as an instant-download PDF file. The PDF is DRM-free, works on any device (desktop, tablet, phone, e-reader), and is fully searchable. Print-friendly formatting so you can print for offline reading.
How is this different from a paper textbook?
This e-book is a focused, practical guide — targeting a specific engineering skill or knowledge area. Unlike a 600-page academic textbook, it moves quickly to real-world applications with worked examples, industry practices, and current code references. Priced accordingly.
Who wrote this book?
Books in the STEM series are authored by 3D-LABS engineers and reviewed by senior specialists in the field. Every author has hands-on industry experience — this is not academic theory, it is applied practice from working engineers.
Can I use the material for teaching or training?
Purchase includes single-user rights. For classroom use, corporate training programmes, or bulk licensing, contact us at info@3d-labs.com — we offer institutional licensing and custom-branded editions for training programmes.
What if the content does not meet my expectations?
We offer a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. If How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 does not deliver the value you expected, email us within 7 days of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked — we would rather have satisfied customers than unhappy ones.
About 3D-LABS engineering e-books
How Things Work — Ages 8 to 14 is one of 115 titles in the 3D-LABS e-book library — the largest collection of practitioner-authored engineering e-books available anywhere, spanning 14+ series from engineering fundamentals to future technology and urban air mobility. Every book is written and reviewed by 3D-LABS engineers who use the concepts daily on real client projects across the globe.
Browse the full e-book library, or explore other content options: 680 spreadsheets, 19 online courses, or our full engineering services.
Why buy from 3D-LABS
Published by a working engineering practice
Our titles are written and published by 3D-LABS, an engineering design practice working since 2003 for operators and EPC contractors across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
- 2003Engineering since
- 12Countries delivered into
- 50+Named client organisations
- 14Design codes worked to
Codes our engineers design to
- ASME
- API
- AWWA
- TEMA
- PD 5500
- AISC
- IS 800
- EN
- IBR
Questions on anything in the book? Write to us — a working engineer answers, not a support desk.Design and detailing for Larsen & Toubro, Emerson, PetroFac, Qatar Petroleum, ADCO and Samsung Engineering since 2003.

