Physics Innovative Uses

Video analysis of a golf swing Casio recently developed a set of high-speed cameras. These cameras are actually still digital cameras, but they have the ability to capture high-speed video. The capture rates vary from 210 frames per second (fps) to 1200 fps. The price range is from $300 to $1000 per camera. These cameras…

Subjects: Physics

There are so many powerful features available in our Logger Pro software, it is easy to miss one. One such feature is the ability to display vectors using an Animated Display meter. Data from accelerometers, force sensors, and motion detectors are perfect for creating a 2-D animated vector display. You can even display an animated…

Subjects: Physics

Hooke’s law with hoop spring Position vs. time for cart launch Force vs. time for cart launch Work done to compress spring The hoop spring bumpers in the Bumper and Launcher Kit are excellent examples of Hookean devices; that is, the length of the hoop spring is directly proportional to the force applied. To investigate…

Subjects: Physics

Study sheds light on merchandise appeal using spectroscopy Have you ever noticed that the bananas you bought look different in the store than they do when you get them home? This is because not all lights used in grocery display cases are the same. The main reason for having different lighting is to improve shelf…

Subjects: Physics

Logger Pro 3.7 has an exciting new feature for use in conjunction with our new Vernier GPS Sensor. If connected to the internet, Logger Pro can export location data to Google Maps, something it has done for a while, but it can now color code a line of data from a sensor or any data…

Subjects: Physics

As part of Project Lead The Way engineering courses, Ken Kessenich at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee, WI started teaching a new unit that involves simple machines. He wanted his student to see REAL problems instead of simulations to demonstrate effort force and mechanical advantage. To measure the force exerted by screws, he uses…

Subjects: Physics

Ron Bowerman at St Wendelin High School, Fostoria, Ohio, knows how to motivate students: competition. In his physics class, students compete for a high stakes simulated contract with an airline. Physics and engineering skills are put to the test as students work in engineering teams that try to design the lightest and strongest wing spar…

Subjects: Physics

Richard DeLombard of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has come up with a unique way to get students to analyze acceleration graphs from amusement park rides. Over the past six years, he has had a booth during Physics Day events at a couple of amusement parks. In the booth, he displays a poster that…

Subjects: Physics

Brian Lamore, physics teacher at the Chinquapin School, Highlands, Texas, has his students build a “Beakman’s” Motor to study electromagnetic induction. This simple motor can be built in a single class period and the activity is always a favorite of his students. But nothing makes an activity more interesting than a little competition, so Brian…

Subjects: Physics

Clarence Bakken, a retired physics teacher from California, explored insulating capabilities of different wall materials. Clarence used an Infrared Thermometer (order code IRT-BTA, $159) to study the rate at which heat is transferred through the walls in a model house. He used a simple cube that students built out of wood, glass, or plastic. During…

Subjects: Physics