Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Amanda Smith
A Newtonian Poem
This is just an overall picture of
the playground. Included is a
sandbox with two gummy bears
fighting, a swing, a see‐saw and a
slide, where gummy bears collide
at the bottom!
This is the swing. I chose this to
represent two concepts: tension and
centripetal acceleration. Additionally, the
swing can act as an object undergoing
rotational motion. The forces involved
became very evident when I tried to
make the swing stay up without falling
off. I had to create a tension in the candy
ropes that offset the weight of the
gummy bear + the weight of the
chocolate seat. If I had done this while
the swing was swinging, the tension
would have not just been the weight
(mass*gravity), but would have also
included the mass times the centripetal
acceleration, defined at Fc=mv2/r
For this part of the slide, I wanted to
demonstrate conservation of total mechanical
energy. The mechanical energy of the gummy
bear is conserved as he slides down the slide,
such that: mgh0 + ½mv02 = mghf + ½mvf2. If he
starts from rest, and we give his final height a
value of 0, then his velocity at the bottom of
the slide is (2 gh0). We can also use his final
velocity to determine the height of the slide.
For this part of the slide, I wanted to
demonstrate an inelastic collision. At the
bottom of the slide, the green gummy bear
hits the red gummy bear and they continue to
move together. The red gummy bear is at rest
and the green gummy bear has a velocity as
defined above. Total momentum is conserved
during this collision, so the mredvred0 + m
greenvgreen0 = (mred + mgreen)vf. If they did not
move together after the collision, it would be
elastic and both momentum and kinetic
energy would be conserved.
I wanted to demonstrate friction in the sand
box. The green gummy bear, clearly the bully,
is pushing the yellow gummy bear. However,
there is a coefficient of static friction between
the gummy bear and the sand. The force
applied to the yellow gummy bear must be
greater than the fsmax (FN+us) in order for the
yellow gummy bear to slide across the sand.
Alternatively, the green gummy bear could try
to knock the yellow one over. In the case, the
force applied creates a torque, where the feet
are the axis. Since torque=Force*lever arm,
the farther away from the feet he pushes, the
less force it will take to knock the bear over.
The see‐saw exemplifies torque and lever
arms. Both gummy bears have the same
mass, and so the force applied (weight=mg)
is the same for both. The axis is the fulcrum
(black Dot). The gummy bear on the right
causes a negative torque and on the left
causes a positive (counterclockwise)
torque). The bar would be straight and both
gummy bears would be balanced at the
same height. If the gummy bears were at
the same distance (“l”) from the axis, the
net torque would be Fl + ‐Fl, which would be
zero. However, as seen the gummy bear on
the right has a greater lever arm. This means
it has a greater torque, thus making it lower
and the gummy bear (left) with the smaller
level arm exert a lesser torque and e higher
in the air.
Well, that’s my project. It really helped me to visualize the forces that we learned about, and constructing
everything showed be first hand out the forces play out – trying to keep everything together proved rather
difficult, because for a lot of this I was working against the force of gravity, which was trying to make all the
gummy bears fall.
Click on video to view dance
Biannely Diaz
pfZ. UV^O- c
K
1 ■ \/e?^\ocx
_ distance
AX
Physics Video Competition 2008
Physics Video Competition 2008
• Real Life: I
Real Life: I'm
m in Physics Rehab
in Physics Rehab
• Physics Prince of Pittsburgh
• Mighty Ducks Physics
i h k h i
• Real Life: Problems with Physics
• Physwatch
• Physics Hits of the 80s
Physics Hits of the 80s
• Winner: Physics Prince of Pittsburgh
Wi Ph i P i f Pi b h
JORDAN ROHAUS
RS# 3416637
Physics XCRED
It was 11:00pm. Josh had his second physics midterm in less than twelve hours. "How
am I going to (earn all of this material by 8am tomorrow?" worried Josh. Due to distractions in
his Tower A dormitory, Josh packed up his physics book and Wiley Plus homework
assignments, grabbed an energy drink from his roommate's fridge, and headed toward Hillman
Library. Becoming more and more worried about his upcoming exam as each second passed,
Josh quickly sal himself down in a cubicle and opening his Physics textbook up to Chapter 5
entitled, 'Dynamics of Circular Motion'. The hours crept by as Josh willed his eyes to stay open,
"Just a few more hours until my exam is over," he told himself. The diagrams, illustrations, and
examples in the text became blurry, causing Josh to decide lo rest his eyes for only 5 minutes. He
set his phone alarm for 1:20am and laid his head down on the desk.
"Josh, wake up! Josh we need you right now, get up!" Josh opened his eyes to a familiar
face shouting at him. "Professor Levy, what are you doing in the library?" asked Josh.
"Professor Levy? Who is Professor Levy? I am Captain Jeremy and you arc Commander
Josh. Now wake up before our satellite crashes into the Earth's surface, it is up to you to save the
Josh looked at his surroundings. "This can't be right!" thought Josh, "Where am I?!" He
rubbed his eyes, blinked, slapped his face, and again looked at the steel spaceship he was
enclosed in. "I need to stop waiting until the last minute to study for my physics exams," though!
Josh, "'Maybe then my physics professor will no longer wear an astronaut suit while screaming
my name!"
Captain Jeremy grabbed Josh's arm and pulled him off his bed while explaining their
deadly situation, ''Our satellite is has fallen off of its path of orbit and as we speak we are
hurtling towards the Earth's surface! We must set the engines to a precise speed in order for our
satellite to go back into orbit! It is up Co you, Josh, to calculate this speed and to help save the
"Are you out of your mind?" asked Josh. "Why am I the one who must calculate this
speed'.' Isn't there some physics nerd on board who can easily determine the correct speed?"
'■Unfortunately, all of our physics nerds are in a state of shock and panic due to the fact
that we will most likely crash into the Earth's surface within the next 60 minutes," explained
Caplain Jeremy, "So, you Josh, are the only one able to save all of us, our fate rests in your
hands!"
"Oh no," thought Josh. "Why didn't I pay attention to Professor Levy's lectures on
satellites in circular orbits!?" Josh thought back to the Chapter 5 material in his textbook, "There
is only one speed that a satellite can have if ihe satellite is to remain in an orbit with a fixed
radius. Why don't I know the physics equation needed to calculate the correct speed?!"
"Captain Jeremy, I am going to need a calculator and the orbital radius of this satellite,"
yelled Josh.
"Our orbital radius is 6.38xl0A6!" yelled the Professor as he handed Josh the notebook.
"Okay I think I remember this equation now," said Josh. "What is the Mass of the Earth
Just as Captain Jeremy told Josh the numbers needed for the calculation, an alarm
sounded over the loud speaker of the satellite. "Hurry Josh!" yelled the captain.
The power of the satellite went out as the satellite shook, tossing the captain and Josh all
around the ship. Josh opened his eyes, finding his face pressed up against his physics textbook
and his graphing calculator in hand. He quickly computed the correct speed for the satellite and
yelled for Captain Jeremy. "Captain Jeremy, Captain Jeremy, the satellite needs to travel at a
However, Captain Jeremy was nowhere to be found and he was now surrounded by the
three walls of his cubicle. "On no!" thought Josh, I just yelled in the middle of the library.
Extremely embarrassed from his outburst in the library, Josh decided to finish studying in his
dormitory and quickly gathered his books and headed back to Tower A for the night.
The next day, Josh walked in to his physics exam at 8am, completely worried lhal he was
about to fail a very important exam. However, as he flipped through the page and realized that
the essay problem worth thirty points was based on the equation V= , Josh was no longer
worried. If he could correctly find the velocity of the satellite for Captain Jeremy, he could
15
WHAT
Tyler Wilhite I'd had enough; it was all I could take.
Physics thus far seems vague and bizarre, "What concept of physics is he now
construing?"
But Jeremy Levy, I've learned, is a star.
Head down on the desk, clutching my clicker. The same can be said of that strange, funny
man.
Only to realize that I'd missed the joke. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. FRIENDS DON'T LET
FRIENDS DRINK AND CLICK.
WV\(i-(- (AW, it
\AMJ(iAJff].
\ o-f
.,
Ode to Physics
Its 2:15 am, and I rri just getting in.
Physics Thursday nights, rny head can't help but spin.
Twenty-five points is the ultimate goal.
For that quantity, I would sell my soul'
From kinematics to forces, to energies, and speed,
Each problem seems so different. V'/hich equation do I need?
It seems when all is lost, kinematics are key.
Gut the next thing I know. I'm finding the torque of a '.veight on a knee.
Too many equations! Is momentum conserved?
For just keeping all these concepts straight, an AI deserve.
So when I rest my blood-shot eyes and climb into bed,
f
•i \
*' ■ \
Soj-f eft 3
Aiyson Michalak
Physics 0110
Art XCRED
Equations of kinematics
In dimensions of one or two
Can help you when you calculate
The time it takes to throw a shoe
Fluids, temperatures
Gas laws and heat
Physics is a subject
That just can't be beat!
Maggie Ryan
Art S Physics
TTH230
4 December 2008
Concepts of Force
Physics X-CRED
(! rounded
n
fvttttj fWjSKS
J
Til
4^"
fL
p njhv wt* kb \k
And i- kd flu k&« m
Ute'lt fccbJ -rust w# Shcii0 <f€>
A I A
he
m it
So f^ki »f all in
Io dun i« ^>u; Wmh/n -h -/W tffc/* TO&
Thn dud:
777/5
±1 wakmqq mj
if 5 ■h
Let'*
-h, V(P>
kj2jL/>)H fn-t
A
wm
e
Sf 0"
Ho a
6
if r a,»e u-pj
y,/i hint
To
fco Sc,\yU
Ut s do Sotnjt w ith
Ltfsdb
IS
Lef mi hu
(T
TV X
a
To ft
l ktnJ
<k
I-fl L&*
4 fftC&kC at cCuhQ of
0 •
Richard Barnhart Peoplesofttf 3364774
The pulsation of the alarms sprang up as the monitor system streamed to life. My
heart accelerated faster than a rocket as the sonorous alarms pounded my head
with a battery of foreboding salience. The monitor was even and sinusoidal void
from any normal pattern that reigned supreme among the other monitors in the
nurses station. I rushed down the hall towards the crash cart with my nametag
swinging ferociously back and forth like a pendulum in perfect harmony with the
strut of my feverous pace. As I reached the cart, the rubber on my Crocs gripped
with friction on the shiny smooth opalescent floor as I ensured to unplug the red
cart from the wall. My muscles contracted creating a steady force on the cart as it
rumbled down the long hallway. Faster and faster it went as its momentum picked
up. The intercom dismally called out the condition A as I reached the room. The cart
wanted to keep going down the hall but I tugged it until it made the sharp curve into
the room. The nurse began CPR as 1 was instructed to grab the resuscitation bag and
mask. I unraveled the tubing and connected it to the wall mounted oxygen nipple. I
cranked up the flow rate to 15L and the pressure inflated the external bag and
created a taut seal. We worked in tandem as I squeezed the bag forcing the breath of
life into his lungs as the nurse exerted rhythmic impulses of force on his sternum.
More people rushed into the room slapping on monitors and placing the viscous
defib pads on the apex and sternum. The defibrillator concurred our assertions as
syringes were being unwrapped. The doctor charged the machine to 300 Joules.
Everybody clear he calmly stated as 1 lifted the mask of the man's face. The surge of
energy penetrated the man's body instantaneously. Respiratory arrived and 1 was
shuttled away from my position. I was now left to simply watch and be told to grab
supplies. There was no change as the sinusoidal waves persisted like a greedy
prisoner of death. I watched and time slowed down as commands were being
shouted and as scurrying people went about. Entropy increased. Syringes were filled
and emptied smoothly into the IV line like the flow of a summer's breeze. The
sphygmomanometer was registering 40 palp the nurse informed the room, and the
cascade of events continued—shock, drug, compression, breath. The monitor then
subtly changed to asystole. No sinusoidal waves but simply a flat melancholy line.
They grey hue permeated the man's body as the paddles were put down but the
drug antics were increased. Epi, dopamine, atropine swirled around in the veins
voraciously as I watched the second hand of the clock went around with constant
negative angular velocity. After -IOtt radians of the second hand, the time of death
was pronounced: 18:37. The furry was over as people dismally left the room
gathering up the harem of equipment they brought in. I left with the veil of somber
thoughts. After another -30tt radians of the second hand I returned. I had the gloves
on and the white body bag in hand. The nurse was with me as we began the death
care procedures. It took much torque to put the man in the bag as his mimsy head
flailed around. His body was cool as the thermodynamic rules reigned supreme-
energy doesn't pardon the dead.
device
bell rolls
pnyt'W ie
'CUrlte
m ice
fw
<b <b g
v - —
I*
Allison Sherman
Professor Levy
Physics Art Extra Credit
December 2, 2008
Dr. Levy
Physics I
I stare at my exam
There once was a girl who had it set in her head that physics was worthless, stupid,
and impossible to understand. It all started in high school. She had a teacher who was one
of the most intelligent people she ever met. Mr. Collier was his name; he taught physics
for many years. Many students loved this teacher, but there was one in particular he just
didn't seem to get along with. Her name was Tori. She always did well, and math and
science just came easy to her. Physics seemed like it would come as easy as the rest of her
science classes. Her first couple classes they learned about the introductory topics.
Kinetics seemed easy to comprehend. Mr. Collier would often ask questions, and Tori
would raise her hand. Mr. Collier would call on everyone, except Tori. Even when she
was the only one with her hand raised, he would look through her and then finally just
answer the question himself. This girl never had any teacher act this way towards her.
This teacher made the class pretty simple let die students work together on everything,
even exams. Since this teacher seemed to have something against her, Tori blocked out
everything she learned. Her goal was to get through the class with an A, and never have to
deal with it again. This is what she did, but little did she know, this information would be
After two years at the University of Pittsburgh, she had to take physics class for
requirements for a Biology major. She got into class and she dreaded every minute. Her
new teacher seemed more dedicated to his students, and really seemed to be concerned.
Kinetics came first; the six equations all seemed to make sense. The teacher did many
class demonstrations. They were entertaining, but yet still made a point about kinetics.
Tori thought to herself, "this is easy, but I know it will get bad." She continued through
this class thinking, "even though I understand it, the next thing will he hard." Then it
finally happened- Torque. It just didn't make sense to her. It's the same as force, but it
didn't make the same sense. Torque is the product of Inertia and angular acceleration?
How is that even related to Force is the product of mass times linear acceleration? It just
didn't make sense in her head. Here it was, what she had been waiting for- the roadblock.
She was ready to give up; she talked to her classmate about possibly just dropping the
class. I mean changing her major is a huge deal right? Then her classmate offered to take
her to die Physics Exploration Lab to try to explain it. Tori was very reluctant, but finally
gave in. Once there, her classmate started to explain it step by step. She first started by
showing how linear Force is similar to circular Torques. Then it was time to use the door
demonstration. Torque is equal to the product of the Force time the radius time sin of the
angle. This is why when you push on a door from a lBO-degree angle it won't open.
"Okay, I kind of understand it, but it has to be harder than that," Tori thought. The
classmate started going over the homework and slowly Tori realized it is not that difficult
when you understand the basics, you just simply have to learn to apply it in different ways.
Suddenly Tori's eyes opened up to physics. It wasn't as hard as it seemed. It
wasn't so terrible. When you have an instructor, and classmates who care enough to
fcAAT)t
Pt^ |',1 -t^, \\tA*VUX*\ "feed*
><nk>
At p
^i is it id j^
I J
■i D 4 i -l
y
fS
VijfL,
'th
Ua.
Physics Phun Theme Park is a place
What causes that sinking feeling?
where physics and fun are combined into
one. Many people call it "air time." This is
right after inertia has pulled the train up
We have many
and gravity begins to pull it down, the
roller coasters,
result: You lift right out of your seat! You
wooden and metal,
feel the ride with your whole body
twists and turns,
because each part of your body is moving
and big drops that
with the same acceleration. When the
will make your
seat pushes your muscles, your muscles
stomach fall to your
push organs and those organs push other
feet!
organs, thus creating the sinking feeling
inyour stomach.
HOW DOES PHYSICS COME INTO THIS YOU Why Don't You Fall Out When On
MAY ASK?
the loop-the-loop?
inertia, gravitational and centripetal forces pushes you toward the center of the loop,
but inertia pushes you back into the cart.
to drive themselves. Throughout the
This creates a false gravitational force at
roller coaster's track, potential energy is
the bottom of the cavt floor. In most loop-
converted to kinetic energy when going
the -loops you
down the hills, it is converted back to
potential energy when it is at the top of wouldn't need
between the train and the track. Physics Phun Theme Park. It's so fun you
won't know you are learning physics'
A Poem of Physics
Physics is the science of matter, energy, force and motion
We learn lots of things including the tides of the ocean
Using a lever, riding a train
How hard the drops feel when
You’re hit by the rain
UUIDE
m viing,
Ree
ORMAL
*-—
EIGHT
KJFC1S
L
es
here we see
Suir-I
ThtxodJt
nohon
«e dimebhon is
Cynthia Bou-Abboud
Physics 1
Jeremy Levy
Art Physics XCRED
December 02. 2008
Farewell Physics
y ©
1 2
r/iT/}
\ l/I
W//>' """'"'
An Ode to Physics
Michelle McMeans
3175198
Tuesday 5:00pm
Grounded
No matter the season, he is with me
Even when I fall he makes me feel free.
I can always feel him upon my back,
The security of his presence is something I will never lack.
When something is lost in the sky above my head,
He brings it back without a tear shed.
In the spring he brings the rain that I feel on my skin,
And in the winter he brings the snowflakes that melt on my chin.
During softball season he gives my riser the perfect fall,
That not even the ump knows how to call.
His name is Gravity and he is my dear friend,
He will always keep me grounded until the end.
Titilope Akinlose
December 4, 2008
PHYS 0110
Art& Physics XCRED
MY PHYSICS LOVE POEM
(An ode to Physics)
My dear Physics,
How great is the electromagnetism of our love
It is like a burst of energy and bliss
Somehow my love for you remains constant
Our souls intermingle like cations and anions
You are the proton to my neutron
What natural science defines our love?
Is it Chemistry or Biology?
No, it is simply you
You charm me at a subatomic level
These wavelengths that are beyond our vision
Remain visible with the color of our love
You are more extraordinary than relativity
I hope our love never split into X and Y components
Oh dear Physics,
The universe is ever expanding
Like my love for you
Signed,
Your favorite Neutron
Titilope
Alyssa Rittenhouse
PS# 3404642
Recitation: Th. 1:00 with Patrick
Art and Physics XCRED
Bumper Car Rumbles
It was the day of the big race: the most important, exciting day of the summer season
for the bumper cars of Kennywood Park in Western Pennsylvania. It is an annual tradition that
produces bumper car stars as well as bumper car scars, for those that can’t keep up with the
fierce competition of underground bumper car racing’s biggest competition, the Kennywood
100, that is, 100 daunting lengths of the park.
In between 11‐hour day shifts made up of playfully “love tapping” each other, as the
cars refer to it, while the children in their passenger seats gleefully scream, the cars turn a 180
and transform into competition‐thirsty vehicles as they practice for the Kennywood 100. They
show no mercy as they traverse from the Logjammer to the Exterminator, colliding with each
other whenever a car stands in their way of glory. The cars practice several hours every night,
obtaining only a few hours of sleep before a long day of work in the park, all in preparation for
the most celebrated race in underground bumper car racing.
The meanest and most notorious of all the bumper cars was undisputedly the reigning
champion, the green car, aptly named Mean Green. Do not be fooled by his glittery emerald
paint, for there is nothing sparkly about this bad‐tempered vehicle’s style of racing. He plays
rough, violently bumping into components every chance he gets, even when it is not logical or
helpful to him. He shows no mercy, and because of it, bumper cars from all over the nation
fear and respect him.
On the night of the race, bumper cars from all over the region showed up. There were
cars from Six Flags, Cedar Point, Idlewild, Hershey Park, and many other amusement parks.
Still, the one to watch was Mean Green, and everyone—both competitors and spectators—
knew it.
When the race started, Mean Green got off to an early lead, as predicted, and kept it
safely until the 90th length. Somewhere between the Thunderbolt and Noah’s Ark, Smooth
Blue, an extremely kind‐hearted and talented bumper car from Idlewild, caught up to Mean
Green, and with a surge of acceleration, collided with last year’s champion. This had never
happened before to Mean Green, and a gasp went up throughout the spectators.
Mean Green, who is not a very good sport, was perhaps the most surprised and angry of
all. In an attempt to rid himself of his only true competition, Mean Green complained to the
officials: “Did you see that?!? That was a completely inelastic—not to mention illegal—collision!
I lost all of my kinetic energy! Half of it was converted into heat because of friction, and the
other half was spent in damaging my beautiful body! Throw that cheater Smooth Blue out of
the competition!”
But the officials, one of which was Dr. Jeremy Levy of the University of Pittsburgh, knew
that Mean Green’s claims were not completely true. Levy said to Mean Green, who was now in
second place since he lost time complaining, “That’s just not true. The collision wasn’t
completely inelastic and you did not lose all of your kinetic energy! Sure, it definitely wasn’t
elastic, and you lost a good bit of kinetic energy from the friction and some distortion, but you
definitely have enough kinetic energy left to finish the race and maybe even win still, though
Smooth Blue is quite far ahead of you…and he actually deserves to win.”
By this time, several cars had passed Mean Green, and it did not look good for the
racecar. Fans along the race cheered for Smooth Blue to win, so that the Kennywood 100’s
champion would actually be deserving of the trophy this year. However, Mean Green
miraculously caught up with Smooth Blue and won the race by a hair.
As Mean Green obnoxiously celebrated by himself and Smooth Blue and his fans sadly
contemplated how Mean Green was able to catch up to him, Levy noticed that something was
not right. He ran to Mean Green, and after inspecting the bumper car’s wheels, he said, “Aha! I
knew there was no way you could have won this race fairly!”
The crowd looked confused, and Mean Green’s face turned a slight shade of red as he
looked nervous. Levy continued by saying, “Look, all the cars have a maximum angular velocity,
but Mean Green here increased the radius of his wheels, which gave him a greater linear
velocity and an unfair advantage, according to the equation v = rω. He is disqualified, and
Smooth Blue is the new Kennywood 100 Champion!”
A cheer erupted from Kennywood Park. That night, good had prevailed over evil. As
Mean Green slowly walked out of the park, ashamed and angry at being found out, the fans
reveled in the fact that sometimes the good guy doesn’t finish last, and in this case, the good
bumper car had finished first.
Andrea Burns
This is a picture of the sculpture that I made showing a woman on both the earth and moon. With no
physics knowledge, she is much happier on the moon because her weight is less (and she doesn’t realize
that her mass is still the same!).
Ellen Pullekines
Ode to Physics I