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
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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:
·
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.
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:
Kathy Hogan
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.
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?
# 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
