Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Physics 101 !!!

This is a link to a concise and visual introduction (and one I find appealing) to the overall field of physics, with cartoon-type illustrations.  Thought it might help!

Dominic Walliman of Domain of Science uses a "map" approach to a lot of science areas.

youtube.com/watch?v=ZihywtixUYo


Monday, July 3, 2023

LEAFLET: Physics With Pizzazz! Part A

 

DID YOU KNOW THAT

YOU CAN LEARN PHYSICS

THROUGH SHOWMANSHIP?

Start to learn about some basic science involved in doing

demonstrations that are fun –

Physics With Pizzazz!

Part A

We look at the following questions:

 ·        How do I find the center of mass?

·        What is the 1st law of motion about, known as inertia?!

 

  http://sportscience-kathy.blogspot.com

GATEWAY TO SCIENCE:

SPORTS AND GAMES

Quincy, Mass.


Page 2

INTRODUCTION

Do you like to perform for people?

Try this!  A little showmanship goes a long way in this approach that leads people to physics in a fun way.   Here’s a script to get you started. 

 YOU:  THIS IS PHYSICS WITH PIZZAZZ!  Today we’ve got some games – a few challenges – for you!  Well, you may say, all I see are everyday objects.  You are right.  All it takes is everyday objects to help you understand physics.  Let’s go!

 You Need:  broom, spoon, pen, etc.

1st Challenge, can I balance this broom in its center with my finger?  Ask:  Who will show me the center of the broom?  (Volunteer points to center.)  Try to balance it – It’ll fall!

Explanation:  What I need to do now is find the CENTER OF MASS.  What is MASS?  Well, I think “stuff” is a good word for MASS.  Everything is made of some kind of stuff.  Everything  has  MASS,  whatever material it’s made of.  This broom   has more MASS at the brush end. 

Page 3

Find the place a little closer to that end where  you can balance it with your finger.  (Let the volunteer do it.) 

This is the CENTER OF MASS.  It’s also called the CENTER OF BALANCE or the CENTER OF GRAVITY. 

Do the same with the spoon, etc.

 

Next, You Need:  a chair with arms

YOU:    Now, let’s find the CENTER OF MASS in something else   You!    I need a volunteer  to  come  and  sit in this chair.  (The person is seated, arms on the armrests and feet next to each other on the floor.)   Press your finger on their forehead, and say,  “Stand up.”   (They will try to  but cannot.)

Explanation:  While sitting, our CENTER OF MASS is directly above our seat (demonstrate).  To stand up, we need to move our head forward first, and thus move forward and change our CENTER OF MASS.

Page 4

2nd Challenge,

You Need:  8x11 paper and e.g., an empty mug, measuring cup, toy car, tape dispenser, bottle of vitamins

YOU:  Notice these objects on the table resting on a piece of paper.  (Name them.)

I will pull out this paper, and nothing will fall down.  Do you think I can?  

(replies  of  Yes  and  No!) 

(Pull it out >>> Everything stays in place;  NOTE: you may need to practice doing this.) 


Explanation:   INERTIA (in-er-sha)  – there’s a big word! – is the tendency of an object at rest to stay at rest.  Those objects are resting, and they want to stay this way! 

This is Newton’s 1st law of motion.

 (Explaining the technique), Here’s how you do it:  Pull the paper out at a slightly downward angle, and do it quickly and smartly! 

(Your  audience  will be impressed.  Let more volunteers try it.)  


Challenges like these … are just one of endless ways to gain an understanding of physics and geometry.I hope this leaflet introduces you to seeing things you never saw before –    or wondered about but just didn't know where to start.

Physics and geometry  come into play in every activity and event going on around us.

Knowing how things work can add to your performance and to your fun.  So give it a try.  How?

        Start with the information here

        You  may  not understand  everything  in it right away, but for  now,  use  what you do understand

        Do an online search of your own

        See  what  books  or  videos  your library  has

        Share them  with friends,  your class, your team, your scout troop

        Read my blog and tell others:

                     sportscience-kathy.blogspot.com

                                                 Thank you!  

                                                                    Kathy Hogan


LEAFLET: Physics with Pizzazz! Part B

 

DID YOU KNOW THAT

YOU CAN LEARN PHYSICS

THROUGH SHOWMANSHIP?

Start to learn about some basic science involved in doing

demonstrations that are fun – 

Physics With Pizzazz!

Part B

 

We look at the following questions: 

·        How can I speed up and slow down a rotating chair with friction?

·        How can a football spinning on the ground stand up on its end –   

in other words, how can it change its axis of rotation?

  http://sportscience-kathy.blogspot.com

GATEWAY TO SCIENCE:

SPORTS AND GAMES

Quincy, Mass.


Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Do you like to perform for people?  Try this!  A little showmanship goes a long way in this approach that leads people to physics in a fun way.  Here’s a suggested script to get you started.

YOU:   THIS IS PHYSICS WITH PIZZAZZ!  Today we’ve got some games – a few challenges – for you!  Well, you may say, “What’s the big deal about a chair and a football?”  Well, let’s find out!

You Need:   a swivel chair  (one with no arms is preferable)

1st Challenge. Who would like to go for a spin on this swivel chair?  (Ask a volunteer to sit on the chair.)

Ask:  Does anyone think that this chair can speed up or slow down when it rotates?  And I mean speed up or slow down without any help from me.

(Optional:  If anyone says Yes, see if they can explain it.) 

Then have the seated volunteer place their hands on their lap.  Feet should rest on the base of the chair, not on the floor (see illustration). 

Give the seated person a good push. 

Then tell them to put out their arms >>>  slow down.

Tell the person to bring in their arms >>>  should speed up.


Explanation:  First of all, contact  of one  OBJECT  with another OBJECT produces friction.  (Demonstrate rubbing your hands.)

In this case, contact of an OBJECT with an outside FORCE produces friction, too. 

Air resistance is a FORCE caused by air.  (Blow on your hands.) 

Friction slows down things in motion.  So, putting the arms out gives more surface to be in contact with the air, and this increases the friction    (slows things down);

Bringing in the arms gives less surface in contact with air, and this decreases friction (speeds things up).

That’s why birds and airplanes – and footballs – have an aerodynamic shape.

Page 2

2nd Challenge.

 You Need:  a football – a proper football was found to work better than a small spongy toy football

YOU:  Speaking of footballs, I am challenging you to spin this football  on the floor so fast that it stands up on its pointed end.   Can you do it?

By doing this, you change the axis of rotation from a short one (when it’s lying flat) to a long one (when it’s standing up on its “toe”).  

# GEOGRAPHY REVIEW #

Remember how we say the Earth spins on its axis of rotation 

(an imaginary line through the center of the planet)?  Same idea!


Page 3

Challenges like these are just one of endless ways to gain an understanding of physics and geometry.      I hope this leaflet introduces you to seeing  things  you never saw before –    or wondered about but just didn't know where to start.

 Physics and geometry  come into play in every activity and event going on around us.

Knowing how things work can add to your performance and to your fun.  So give it a try.  How?

         Start with the information here

        You  may  not understand  everything  in it right away, but for  now,  use  what you do understand

        Do an online search of your own

        See  what  books  or  videos  your library  has

        Share them  with friends,  your class, your team, your scout troop

        Read my blog and tell others: 

                        sportscience-kathy.blogspot.com

                                                                      Thank you! 

                                                Kathy Hogan