Dot Physics – Page 17 – Esoteric news

August 4, 2016

The Mesmerizing Math of a Wind Turbine on Fire

This video shows a wind turbine on fire making a crazy helix. Here's how to model this motion in 3D. The post The Mesmerizing Math of a Wind Turbine on Fire appeared first on WIRED.

August 2, 2016

The Physics Behind a Madman’s Parachute-Free Skydive Into a Giant Net

In this stunt, Luke Aikins jumps from a plane and lands in a net without using a parachute. Here are some physics questions and answers. The post The Physics Behind a Madman’s Parachute-Free Skydive Into a Giant Net appeared first on WIRED.

July 27, 2016

It’s Hot, But the Heat Index Means It Feels Even Hotter

What is the heat index and how do you calculate it? The post It's Hot, But the Heat Index Means It Feels Even Hotter appeared first on WIRED.

July 25, 2016

The Physics of Trying to Crash Into the Sun

Why is it so difficult to crash into the Sun? This numerical calculation in python shows just how difficult it can be. Homework questions included. The post The Physics of Trying to Crash Into the Sun appeared first on WIRED.

July 19, 2016

No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math

People are complaining about the size of the Death Star in the Rogue One poster. Here's how you could actually make that picture. The post No, the Death Star Isn’t Impossibly Big in the Rogue One Poster. We Did the Math appeared first on WIRED.

July 18, 2016

Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot

Here is a stunt that launches humans into the air with a giant slingshot. The humans then parachute down. It's a great introductory physics problem. The post Hey Let’s Do the Physics of a Crazy Person Launching From a Huge Slingshot appeared first on WIRED.

July 12, 2016

How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics

I recently facilitated two workshops for high school teachers to introduce them to python in physics. Here are my lessons learned. The post How to Use Python to Teach High School Physics appeared first on WIRED.

July 11, 2016

Here’s How Fast Harry Potter‘s Treasure Trap Would Kill You

In this scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a magical trap creates treasure that continuously multiplies. How long would it take to fill a room? The post Here's How Fast Harry Potter's Treasure Trap Would Kill You appeared first on WIRED.

July 7, 2016

Physics Says The BFG Shouldn’t Just Look Like a Giant Human

In the movie The BFG, a giant looks like a human but just bigger. But big things are not the same as small things. The post Physics Says The BFG Shouldn't Just Look Like a Giant Human appeared first on WIRED.

June 30, 2016

If Y’all Keep This Up, Every Baby Will Be Named Rhett by 2020

I have noticed an increase in the use of "Rhett" as a name. This leads to the question: When will all children be named Rhett? The post If Y’all Keep This Up, Every Baby Will Be Named Rhett by 2020 appeared first on WIRED.