Blogs
Our community blogs
-
- 6
entries - 6
comments - 8688
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Kaleidoscopes Explained
Kaleidoscopes use light and mirrors to reflect objects that create patterns. There are multitudes of different varieties and types, but they all follow the same basic principles of physics. To make a kaleidoscope, you would need some type of round, hollow material and two to four mirrors to put inside of it. Aluminum foil can also be used as a reflector.
On one end of a kaleidoscope, there is an object container that holds the objects to be reflected. Then this can be closed off with plastic or glass. This layer of clear material not only holds the objects in, but also filters light through to reflect off of the objects. Some versions of the kaleidoscope toy rotate to easier change the position of the objects located inside.
When you look through the hole of a kaleidoscope, light filters through the glass or plastic on the end of the device and then illuminates the objects and reflects them off of the mirrors or other reflective material. Your eye then sees these bouncing reflections, which creates the patterns that you see. This simple, but fascinating toy has brought joy and wonder into the lives of people for hundreds of years.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 6
-
- 5
entries - 4
comments - 3423
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
How Airplanes Fly
I was thinking about going on vacation since it is now summer and that lead me to the question of how to airplanes fly. I have come to find that it is the result of Bernoulli's experiment that resulted in the founding that if air speeds up the pressure is lowered. This explains how the wings are lifted. As the air goes faster over the top of the wing,it creates the region of low pressure.
After finding out this informetion I came to the question of, why does the air go faster over the top of the wing? I came to the answer that the distance that the air must travel is directly related to it's speed.
The avergage speeds of the air over the top and under the wing are determined by measuring the distances therefore we can calculate the speed using our formulas. From Bernoulli's experiment it is stated that we can find the pressure forces and therefore the lift.
A wing generating lift is used through Newton's first and third laws. The first law states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion and object in rest tends to stay in rest unless a force is acted upon it. His third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Hope you enjoy this post!
- 5
-
- 0
entries - 0
comments - 1013
views
No blog entries yet
- 0
-
Latest Entry
Faster or Slower
What's better.....being faster or being slower? Obviously faster. Have you ever wondered why some people are faster than others though? Are there trends?
To understand the basics physics of running, you can think of your arms as pendulums. A pendulums velocity depends on the length of the pendulum, not the mass of the bottom. If the pendulum is shorter, the speed of the mass at the bottom is faster. Your mass at the end of the pendulum you can think of as your feet. Then proceed to assume that your legs are the pendulums. In order to shorten the pendulum...you have to bend your knees. Obviously you cannot run well with your knees locked, but you will run faster if your knees are bent.
You can also think of your arms as a second type of pendulum. If you bend your arms at a 90 degree angle and swim them in stride with your legs, you will then proceed to run even faster.
-
- 1
entry - 0
comments - 1123
views
No blog entries yet
- 1
-
- 5
entries - 4
comments - 14423
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Physics of Shooting a Sniper
In many of our video games and even in real life we sometimes come into contact with a hunting rifle or sniper rifle. For some games its just point and shoot and you hit him but for some games and in real life you have to compensate for the drop of the bullet. But did you also know that, that bullet you just shot and the case of that bullet as it flies out are hitting the ground at the same time? But back to the drop of the bullet when you fire. When you fire really any gun you have to aim a bit up from your target depending on the distance you are at. Gravity pulls the bullet down even if it might seem that it would take awhile as the bullet comes out of the gun gravity is acting on it and the bullet is being dragged down but slower that other objects because of the speed it is at. So next time you go hunting and you think that you are going to get the animal right in the sweet spot try aiming a little higher then where you want it to go, then it might be right on.But to come back to something, the drop of the bullet and the shell of the bullet. These two things drop and hit the ground at the same time. As you shoot the bullet goes flying off at high speeds, but when you pull the bolt back on the rifle and the case flies out and hits the ground, both parts of the bullet have hit the ground. They are technically experiencing the same thing its just the bullet shot is experiencing it over a greater distance with a greater speed.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 5
-
- 5
entries - 6
comments - 3594
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Reflecting On Physics Class
It seems like just yesterday I was beginning regents physics class, and now it's almost over. It's been a struggle, but somehow, I got through it. Since this is my last blog post ever, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on this year in regents physics, so here it goes.
When I first started this class, I knew right away I was going to have a hard time in it. I have never been very good at science, but I figured since physics involves a lot of math, it would not be too bad. I was mistaken. Usually in the beginning of a difficult class, I never understand anything at first. But one day, all of a sudden, I will just automatically understand it. That never happened for this class unfortunately.
Though this class was extremely hard for me, I did manage to learn a couple of things. There are some units I kind of enjoyed, and the catapult project was fun. A lot of the demonstrations were pretty cool too. The most valuable thing I learned this year was that your attitude can completely make a situation either better, or much, much worse. When I walked into class with a negative attitude, I never learned anything. But when I walked in with a semi-positive attitude, I actually picked up on a thing or two.
Though I will most likely never take a physics class again, I have to say that in a way, I'm glad I stuck with it throughout this year. Dropping did occur to me a few times, but if I had, then I knew whatever work I had put into this class would have been for nothing. In life, everyone has to go through things they might not want to, but in the end, things turn out to be not so bad. As many times as I might have said I hated this class, I guess it really wasn't so bad after all. And taking this class really made me admire anyone who goes into this field, because it is not easy.
To conclude my last blog post ever, I just want to thank Mr. Fullerton for putting up with my horrible test grades and negativity all year. Taking regents physics class was definitely an experience I will never forget, and I haven't really decided if that's a good or bad thing yet. Just kidding! Maybe.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 5
-
Latest Entry
The Physics of Throwing Darts
Dart throwing uses physics to get the dart to the bullseye and get the highest score possible or if you are playing different dart related games to get the numbers that you need. Throwing darts uses different parts of physics to have the dart hit the target in the area that you want it to. Projectiles and energy to have the dart move through the air and to the target.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkg2zI4qLuZQhKx--Y_UdKk5MaKRGFgmx59CgycvZwAWUIGoRImw
The darts are a projectile because they are thrown at an angle and you need to find the best angle with the correct initial velocity to get the dart to the board. The angle at which the dart leaves your hand is usually less than 45 degrees so that the dart goes toward the board and not at the ceiling. Even though the optimal angle for most anything else is 45 you need to change the angle and the initial velocity to get the bullseye. the gravity brings down the dart and this is why you need to aim 'higher' than the bullseye.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTb9a-28ZH2rwYKXkuDsWXqvIHDSGSg2riJ3jAWzUw8DlJL8IZmxQ
Also you use work because you move your arm which is the displacement and you force the dart to move forward toward the board. Darts use work to make their way to the target because they have to move and the force exerted by the person is on the dart. The darts use the work to make it to their destination. This shows that darts uses physics, by using different equations you can find out everything you need to know.
-
- 0
entries - 0
comments - 706
views
No blog entries yet
- 0
-
- 0
entries - 0
comments - 778
views
No blog entries yet
- 0
-
- 0
entries - 0
comments - 735
views
No blog entries yet
- 0
-
Latest Entry
physics on roller coasters
Everyone enjoys the thrill of roller coasters, but not everyone takes the time to realize how they relate to physics. Roller coasters relate to physics because of the potential engery and the kinetic energy they use. As well as gravity, and using forces.
A roller coaster uses both potential energy and kinetic energy. It stores the energy as the roller coaster is inclining up the hill because of the gravity that is pulling it down creating a greater distance. As the potential energy is released once it has reached the top of the hill, kinetic energy takes over as it is going up the hill. Roller coasters tend to be converting potential energy and kinetic energy throughout the entire ride. For example, when there is a small hill somewhere on the ride, the train will store potential energy again as it is going up that hill until it goes back down. Gravity tends to do the same thing throughout the entire ride, but in different ways. If the roller coaster were to be moving up the hill, then gravity will be pulling the back of the train so it decelerates. If the roller coaster were to be moving down the hill, then gravity will be pulling the front of the train so it accelerates.
I've learned many things in physics and relating them to things I would of never thought about makes the topics so much more interesting!
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
Latest Entry
physics on swimming
Now that summer is practically here and watching my parents open the pool, I decided to do this physics blog on swimming. Swimming relates to physics a lot more than you think. Newtons first, second, and third laws play a huge part in the physics of swimming.
Newtons first law shows the difference between static and dynamic forces and why it takes extra forces to get through two different forces. A static forces is when a body is at rest it stays at rest. The movement you feel once you get your body to move it you overcoming the static force. A dynamic force is when a body in motion wants to stay in motion. Newtons second law gives us the explanation as to why someone can swim faster than others. For example, if someones mass is equal, then it would be all about the amount of force they use to take off. Newtons third law states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When swimming and doing the breast stroke,the water moves down the side of you. The equal reaction would be pushing the water back on you while the opposite reaction would be the reason why you are moving forward.
This proves that physics is everywhere, no matter what you do!
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
Latest Entry
physics on softball
Sports are a huge part of most peoples daily lives. When I was younger softball was always something I wanted to do but I chose other activities over it. I decided to take a minute and learn how softball relates to physics since it's one topic I am interested in.
Pitching in softball is related to physics because of the velocity. Pitching can be very difficult because you need to know all the different curve techniques. In softball, there are six main pitches, the fastball, change-up, curve, screw, rise, and drop. The fastball is supposed to stay on a straight path at a constant height to the ground. This would mean that the softball would need to go at a constant velocity as well. The change-up which is a slower pitch that occasionally drops right at home plate, would need to have a velocity the decreases rapidly. The curve, screw, rise, and drop are moving pitches, meaning they will bend in a different direction. The curve and screw bend in different directions which would mean that velocity would change with direction. The rise and drop would bend up and down, so their velocities would change for the same reasons as the curve and screw. Velocity is one main component of physics that effects softball.
With doing research on this topic I learned more about the sport as well as how physics is involved with every step of this sport.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
Latest Entry
physics on bike riding
Since in the summer all I mostly do is ride my bike I thought why not see how physics relates to bike riding. When I ride my bike, I find myself doing no work at all at times and then actually having to do work. After taking physics I finally realized why this is.
Gravity, is one main factor while riding a bike. When you are to go down a hill, gravity is doing all the work for you pulling the front of your bike down the hill. Gravity will always be greater than the friction, and weight you are fighting through. Friction when going down the hill is very minimal between the spinning tire and the ground. But when you are going up the hill you are doing a lot more work because you are fighting between friction, gravity, and weight.
Gravity will always be something you have to fight through no matter what your doing because it will always be there.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
- 11
entries - 5
comments - 22155
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Monopoles: What Are They?
In working through the Magnetism unit, one really good question came to surface; Is it possible to have a magnet with only one pole? What would it mean to have a monopole after all?
Monopoles are essentially a theoretical particle, an isolated magnet with only one magnetic pole. This would mean that the particle would have a net magnetic charge. What would that mean in simple terms? The notion that the magnetic field has zero divergence would be proven wrong; in fact, magnetic particles would most likely behave even more similarly to electric particles, in that not only would magnetic particles have two opposing charges, but, in the same manner negatively and positively charged particles exist, north and south pole magnetic particles would also exist; the "south pole magnets" and "north pole magnets" would not have to cancel out, a rule already accepted in physics today.
What do you guys think? What would the discovery of a monopole (if one exists) mean for what we already understand about electromagnetism?
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 11
-
- 15
entries - 12
comments - 9341
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Music and waves and parties
Music is cool. speaking of music, listen to this for some ambiance.
Why is music so cool though?
Because waves.
A wave is pretty much the movement of energy. If thats so, than what is sound?
Sound is a type of wave caused by a vibration.
In the case of music an instrument, or ones own vocal chords, can produce vibrations which then travel through the air as waves eventually reaching your eardrum.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 15
-
- 29
entries - 6
comments - 18665
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Tornadoes
The physics of tornadoes is very interesting. It all has to do with pressure and angular momentum. When air is heated it expands causing the density to decrease. This decrease in density combined with the higher density air around it causes the heated pocket to rise. The surrounding air then rushes in to fill the void and a tornado is born. The tornado is perpetuated by its own angular momentum.To learn more check out http://outreach.phas.ubc.ca/phas420/p420_04/sean/
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 29
-
- 3
entries - 3
comments - 1917
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Physics of blogging
Don't spend your life trying to find a place where fisics doesn’t apply because it doesn't exist. Not even when you are blogging. When blogging you are most likely sitting at a chair and typing on a keyboard. This applies to Newton’s third law that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. As you sit in the chair to blog you apply a force, your weight, to the chair and the chair pushes back up at you with an equal force. This also happens when you press on the keys to type. As you push on the keys they push back with an equal force. If this law wasn’t true blogging would be fairly difficult considering you would fall through chairs and break keys on the key board. Existence in general would be hard without this law. This isn’t however the only fisics to blogging because inside a computer is almost every subject to fisics ranging from thermodynamics and fluids in the cooling system, magnetism and energy in the wiring of it, waves because there is light and sound waves emitted, circular motion in the fan and modern fisics due to the atoms that build and keep the computer together.
- 3
-
Latest Entry
The first of many...
Greetings fellow physics students and/or insane persons (yes, I mean you),
Well, so much for senioritis, eh? Taking AP Physics-C kind of prevents me from doing nothing. So why take the class if it prevents me from, well, enjoying, my last year? You know, that is a question I've asked myself multiple times, and I've narrowed it down to three answers. It may be one or a combination, but here they are:
1) I enjoy science and math.
2) I need physics for my major and I want to get it over with as soon as possible, and it looks great for college nevertheless.
3) I'm out of my mind.
I would normally gravitate (heh, get it? It's gravity, heh, physics. You know what never mind) towards that third answer there, but actually, now that I think about it, those first two seem like legitimate reasons, considering that I do want to go to college and major in neuroscience - you know, all that brainy stuff. I have always enjoyed science and math, and have always wanted answers - and precise ones - not just random riddles and nonsense (ahem). Anyway, this class will give me answers, and I'm looking forward to them, though I suspect that I will get answers to questions that I really don't want the answers to. Sure, it may not click right away, I don't expect it to, but I'm sure it will come...eventually. I also do need physics for my field of interest, and I'd rather get it over with now than in college. I'm not saying that that's my only reason and I'm forcing myself through this, but, yeah, it's up there. Lastly, I'm just simply crazy. Taking this class is definitely not the only reason, but it is one of the biggest ones. I had only heard nothing but complaints about the class and how difficult it was. Now, since I took AP-B last year, I could've decided not to take another physics class, and just relax. I actually had a choice, and for some reason I chose the hard work and the suffering over blissful sleep, and ignorance, I guess. Now that I am in the class, I realize that I am anxious about the whole class, and passing the exam. It will definitely be a great challenge, but I will push on through every challenge, like I always do. Hm, maybe that says something deep and important...nah, who am I kidding, I'm just crazy XD
But really, in all the seriousness I can muster, I'm looking forward to this class, despite all the challenges. It will definitely enlighten me, teach me not only the material, but valuable life skills, and it will help me in the future - in college and farther still.
So, wish me luck!
-
Latest Entry
A Generational Approach To Student Loan Debt
While physics is not for everyone, there are hundreds of students in high school who genuinely love it. It is one of the more difficult subjects to get through, but it can feel very rewarding when you start to learn and understand what it's really all about. Many of these students come to enjoy it so much that they desire to go on to further schooling in college to earn a degree in physics.
For these students, and anyone applying for college, the tuition costs can be mind-boggling. Because of this, almost twelve million Americans attending school use some form of student aid to pay for school. However, if you do not know how to use financial aid properly, it can translate into a lot of loans, which then means thousands of dollars in debt. For students just coming out of high school, this is the last thing that they want to be hearing. Instead of becoming part of the statistics, find out more with this infographic and get informed on student loan debt.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
Latest Entry
Physics Boarding
So i was chillin with my boi shabba, when we were like yo lets go longboarding. So we grabbed our yatchs and headed to the local chapel hill. Now while pushing we can hit a speed (according to the speed gauges in the road) of about 15 miles per hour. Which is roughly 6.7056 meters per second. Which is relativly fast. Also, courtesy of the speed gauges, that at the end of the hill we hit speed of 33 miles per hour, which is roughly 14.75 meters per second. We were disapointed that we couldnt even hit the speed limit of 35 miles per hour, but whatevs. Using this information and the principle of conservation of energy, we can find out the hieght of chapel hill. So check this out, conservation of energy states that mgh= 1/2mv^2. Sooooooo if we plug in our values for velocity and gravity, mass becomes negligable, and we end up with a hieght of 11.1 meters. Now that seems short because i did not take in account the friction between the wheels and the pavement considering we haven't learned rolling friction. Not to mention the friction within the bearings oin the wheels themselves. So the hills A LOT taller as im sure many of you can attest to. I guess at those speeds Shabba and I best be careful.
The Danskster out.
-
Latest Entry
AED
When saving someones life using an AED is a good idea but only if you do it right. You put the pads on the upper right and lower left. You do this because the shock wants to go the ground. The shock comes out of both pads and wants to travel to the other pad. The heart can only take so much current before it shorts out and cannot be revived. The current that passes through the heart of an AED is just enough to get anyones heart going as long as you get there in time. After the shock is administered then the AED monitors the body to see if there are any vibrations and to check the frequency of the waves to see if they are in rhythm, it they are you saved there life, if not do it again.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
-
- 6
entries - 6
comments - 4687
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
rochester driving weather
it is obvious that our winters are not like those in miami. We can have some very harsh weather and it is important to be prepared when driving from place to place in the ice and snow. To be safe, car maufacrures must consider the elements of friction. This is why many cars have for wheel drive: for better traction on the ice. A car going down the road would qualify as kinetic friction and since the ice has little friction so the nature of the ice must be balanced. Another way to prevent accidents on an icy road would be by putting salt on the road to change the nature of the ice and create a greater frictional force.
- 6
-
- 11
entries - 2
comments - 12517
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Star Wars and Physics
It's been quite a while since I've seen a Star Wars movie, but I still remember the necessities from all the movies. It doesn't take a physics prodigy to understand that there are many physically-impossible aspects of the series, but its good to use the imagination every once in a while and ignore these impracticalities. Nonetheless, I can use my knowledge of physics thus far to analyze certain parts of the series. First of all, when the tie-fighters and x-wings explode in the movies, they make a tremendous amount of noise. However, knowing that sound cannot travel through a vacuum (in space) we know that the explosions would be silent. George Lucas, being a smart man, probably already knew this, but nobody wants to watch space ships silently explode. Furthermore, the concept of hyperspace is introduced in the fourth film. Through breakthrough special effects, the audience is encouraged to believe that the characters travel enormous distances in matter of seconds. Knowing that the speed of light, the fastest thing in the universe, (more so than the Millennium Falcon), is only 3.00 x 10^8 m/s, it seems highly unlikely that the characters could transport so fast.
- Read more...
-
- 0 comments
- 11
-
Recently Browsing 0 members
- No registered users viewing this page.
