Solibaga, Nathaniel Joseph R.

Dr. Ma. Josephine De

Luna
2013-12011
Physics 72
Science Fair Entries Personal Evaluation
CHEMISTRY ENTRY
. SEEING SOUNDS THROUGH CYMATICS
Even though they deserve to be in the Physics category, I view them as the most
interesting and newest heard experiment.
According to the posted literature beside the exhibit, cymatics is the study of visible
sound. Cymatics is pioneered by the Swiss Medical Doctor, Hans Jenny. Cymatics come
from the Greek word kyma meaning billow or wave. Typically, the surface of a plate,
diaphragm or membrane is vibrated and regions of maximum and minimum displacement
are made visible in a thin coating of particles, paste or liquid.
Non-Newtonian fluids are fluids that do not obey Newtons models for fluids. Its viscosity
changes depending on the stress applied to it. In the exhibit it is made of cornstarch
dissolved in water. Since the non-Newtonian fluid experiences stress through the sound
waves produced by the speaker, it changes its properties accordingly with music,
becoming solid or liquid and forming shapes depending on the tune.
Why did I choose this exhibit? Lava lamps are simple application of high school chemistrycolloids. Human battery is just a demonstration of the conductivity of human body. It is
thus not a human battery but only a human conductor as electrons flow from one plate to
another. Bleeding iron heart is quite interesting and its the second best for me. It
showcases the color change in a reaction of iron producing bloody red thiocyanate.
We also found out that fractals can be produced by sound similar to fractals in nature.
PHYSICS ENTRY
Evidently, most of the entries are Physics entries and thus a good competition resulted.
. AMAZING PENDULUMS specifically HARMONOGRAPH
Shallow to judge but cool design are created by this mechanical drawing machine.
Harmonographs are mechanical devices that trace out the resultant of two or more simple
harmonic motions, typically along mutually-perpendicular axes. The key to successful
operation of any harmonograph which relies on stored mechanical energy is low friction.
Superimposed on all of the motions is an overall damping factor which eventually brings
the pendulum to a halt. If this damping is too large, the lines drawn by the pen are too far
apart, and the figure is uninteresting.
MATH ENTRY
I have not inspected all of the Math exhibits so I chose the one where I won the game with
a gift certificate and the other one as aesthetic Mathematics.
. PROJECT ALMANAC I won the game here.
. BEAUTY SYMMETRY
We can relate physical beauty to science and the subjectivity of beauty now becomes
objective.
Physical attraction depends on ratio.
Our attraction to another person's body increases if that body is symmetrical and in
proportion. Likewise, if a face is in proportion, we are more likely to notice it and find it
beautiful.
Scientists believe that we perceive proportional bodies to be healthier
Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the human body emphasized its proportion. The ratio of
the following distances is the Golden Ratio:

(foot to navel): (navel to head)

Similarly, buildings are more attractive if the proportions used follow the Golden Ratio.
This mask of the human face is based on the Golden Ratio. The proportions of the length
of the nose, the position of the eyes and the length of the chin, all conform to some aspect
of the Golden Ratio.