[Phys-L] Re: Looking for self-contained, active "Physics Challenges"

[betwys1 at SBCGLOBAL.NET (Brian Whatcott)]

The most popular/fun exhibit would be 2 or 3 air cushioned disks, driven
by shop vacs on overhead tether/power lines.

Some useful insights into low air pressure's lifting power,
and vehicle inertia, momentum..

Brian


At 07:16 AM 10/7/2005, you wrote:
> Hi,
>
> We're preparing for a department open house for the local community over
> the next month. In addition to posters, the standard demos and a few
> staged demonstrations, we're looking to have several "Physics Challenges"
> around the building.
>
> The idea is to have a task, preferably active, that helps people figure
> out something about physics while giving them a goal for which to shoot.
> These tasks would be 'staffed' by a physics student.
>
> One that we've done in the past is a bowling ball slalom, where the
> participant is asked to propel a bowling ball around several cones using a
> broom, run it in a circle twice around the end cone, and return. The
> object is to do it as fast as possible. Here participants quickly realize
> that a bowling ball has a lot of inertia, and that to get it to turn, you
> have to apply a force perpendicular to the direction of motion.
>
> This activity is something everyone can do (though not necessarily well),
> doesn't require much equipment, they have to 'figure something out' to do
> better, and it makes a decent physics point.
>
> Right now for a variety of reasons my creative juices are 'pbflt' (to use
> a technical term). Does anyone have suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Mark Lucas
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mark Lucas                                      email: lucasm@ohiou.edu
> 252D Clippinger Lab                             phone: (740)597-2984
> Department of Physics and Astronomy             fax:   (740)593-0433
> Ohio University
> Athens, OH 45701


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!