As our knowledge of matter grows, so too do the number of materials. Metals saw early uses as swords, coins, and later, in the building of airplanes. The 20th century witnessed several new materials: plastic that is versatile enough to find use in everything from containers to automobiles, fibers that are strong enough to make bullet-proof vests, and early houses made of wood or stone that gave way to the towering skyscrapers we see today. ""Atoms and Materials"" is a book about matter at its most basic level - atoms and their components - but it also explores how people use material in technology and society. This intriguing title from the new ""Physics in Our World"" set enhances the reader's perception and understanding of the atomic world.