Physics at Home Archive

Konigsberg Bridge - Sep 1, 2010

If you enjoy solving puzzles, try the seven bridges challenge.
- This problem helped lead the mathematician Leonhard Euler to develop new mathematical fields, graph theory and topology. See Konigsberg Bridge to learn more.
- Also see the Wikipedia page for variations on this problem.

Splash (fluid mechanics) - Aug 16, 2010

Investigate splashes by dropping different-sized objects into containers of water. Also, you can squeeze drops out of a medicine dropper to make splashes on hard surfaces or on water or milk. (Be sure to do this activity with an adult.) To find out what happens if you drop a half-brick into water, see the photograph at the bottom of Splash (fluid mechanics).

Water on the Move - Aug 1, 2010

Using the instructions on Water on the Move, you can create a model with everyday materials that shows how the water moves as a wave passes by. To visualize the movement of all the water in a wave, see the third animation on this Kettering University page.

Soap Bubbles - Jul 16, 2010

Playing with soap bubbles can be fun and educational for people of all ages.

- Try this PBS activity to see what kind of soap films you can make inside of a geometrical wire frame.  
- Also see this album for photos of big bubbles.

Investigation 4 - Erosion - Jul 1, 2010

Try Investigation 4 - Erosion for a hands-on simulation of erosion to learn how wind and water change the land. For more information and photographs, see this Kansas State University webpage.

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