Science Infoblog » physics

Its Physics jim but not as we know it…..Rainbows End 2009

john west — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:47:55 +0000

Physics can be truly weird and often counter intuitive. Everyone will be familiar with the reference to Star Trek in the title of this post and be aware that Klingons are very nasty extra terrestrials.

It turns out that Physics is stranger than fiction and Newtonian mechanics which describe the world around us (speed =distance/time for example) become hopelessly inadequate as you approach the speed of light. Einsteins Theory of General Relativity predicts time dilation or stretching. If you take a summer holiday on a beach near a black hole, time is dilated and the vacation lasts longer. As a consequence you return younger than friends who stayed at home using botox to slow ageing. G P satellites take time dilation into account when they compute accurate positions. Strange but true.

Ye canna change the laws of physics, laws of physics Jim

The laws of physics at Rainbows end…….. feel the force

…….and finally the worksheet for anyone who has lost the original. Eric and Bonita would appreciate feedback on the field trip. Any questions?

Rainbows End 2009

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Motion and graphs, acids and bases, more from Shelley Dudley’s class

john west — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:44:24 +0000

Year 10 students studying NCEA level science this year have made a number of 5 minute tutorials that cover aspects of their course. Have a look at them. The first video deals with acids and bases.

The second video covers motion and distance time graphs. Do you find these tutorials useful. Why don’t you pick a topic with some friends and make your own video.

Phun…….have a look at this software and enter the competition

john west — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:57:54 +0000

Phun lets you move objects around in 2D obeying the laws of physics. You can control gravity, how things collide, friction and the strength of motors. Download the software and see if you can make a simulation like this one on YT. Enter the competition

Competition:

1 Tell Mr West you want to enter the competition (three categories, junior, senior and interested parents/members of the community.

2 Download Phun (see previous post to dowload the software or Mr West for a copy)

3 Use the software to produce a simulation/cartoon (you will have to interact with some physics as you do this!)

4 See Mr West or Mr Duff if you need help to get started.

5 Email your simulation to Mr West (john.west@greenbayhigh.school.nz) or bring it along to E11 on a memory stick.

Entries must be in before the end of term 1

A very handsome trophy will be awarded to the winner in each category.

Have phun….get physical or use your artistic talents and get creative.

Grand Theft Auto 4….PHUN….Science I.C.T. Challenge trophy

john west — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:57:35 +0000

Have you ever wondered how cars, bikes helicopters and people move around in games like Grand Theft Auto 4.

Objects that move around in the real world follow Newton’s laws of motion. To develop software that mimics the real world you need to understand the physics of motion.

Rockstar North is the developer behind Grand Theft and they are based in Edinburgh Scotland. They are currently advertising for a physicist and people to test their games to check that they are realistic!

Phun is an educational, entertaining and addictive piece of software for designing and exploring 2D multi-physics simulations in a cartoony fashion and you can download it for free.

ICT Challenge trophy

Release your artistic and scientific skills. Dowload PHUN and use it to illustrate a physics concept (friction, gravity, collsions, billiard table etc)

There are three different categories for junior and senior students and a separate category for enthusiastic parents.

email mr West as an expression of interest and for further details ( john.west@greenbayhigh.school.nz ). Have PHUN