Physics of Everyday Life
Why do you take really short steps when you walk on ice? Why are hybrid cars more efficient for in-town driving? Why does a standard electric outlet have three holes, but many devices only use two of them? Why is the sky blue, and why are sunsets red? Why are new light bulbs so much more efficient than the old incandescent bulbs? These are examples of the questions that we’ll work out in this class. Each class, we’ll start with some hands-on experimentation to help us understand basic principles of motion, of electricity, of light, of sound of magnetism and other topics. And then we’ll discuss how what we’ve learned applies to everyday life. Come prepared to be active, to be social, and to be amazed! You don’t need any background in science—just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to engage and explore!
Week 1: Everything is Electric
We’ll make tinsel bundles fly through the air, and we’ll discuss why it’s safe, ⅔ of the time, to stick a fork in an electric outlet. (Please don’t try this!)
Week 2: Is it Magic, or is it Magnets?
We’ll learn how to magnetize nails, and we’ll discover why the dark side of a refrigerator magnet will stick to the fridge but the printed side won’t. (Try it and see!)
Key slides from the class are here
Week 3: On Your Wavelength: Electromagnetic Waves
We’ll see how to tell where a radio station is by changing reception, and we’ll talk about why it’s safe to stick light bulbs in the microwave. (Please don’t try this!)
Key slides from the class are here
Week 4: Physics of Sound & Music
Bring your musical instruments to class for an open-ended exploration of how the science of sound explains how music is made.
Key slides from the class are here
Week 5: Energy, Thermodynamics & The Arrow of Time
We’ll start by playing with toys to learn a bit about energy and heat—and then we’ll discuss how the second law of thermodynamics explains why hybrid cars are more efficient and why time goes the direction it does.
Key slides from the class are here
Week 6: Push and Pull: Force & Motion
We’ll start with a (rigged) tug-of-war contest, and discuss why you need to slow down on corners and walk with short steps on ice.
Key slides from the class are here
Week 7: Go With the Flow: Physics of Fluids
How do hot air balloons stay up? And why does your blood pressure go down when you exercise? We’ll talk.
Key slides from the class are here
Week 8: A Warm Planet in a Cold Universe: How the Earth Stays Warm, and Why It’s Getting Warmer
A very timely and relevant topic. We’ll learn what makes a gas a greenhouse gas, and explore why—in the case of these very useful gases—you can have too much of a good thing.
Key slides from the class are here
The class is led by Brian Jones. Brian taught physics at Colorado State University for over 30 years, he is the founder and former director of the Little Shop of Physics, and he has taught and worked with schools, students, and teachers all around the globe.