Tutorial Tuesday: Mallow Catapult

Download the following images to build your own mallow catapult.

(To Download)
Right click on image
Select "Save Image As"
Select location
Hit Save, and then print.

Or, save a tree, and just follow the instructions on this page.

Why This Works:

Catapult physics is basically the use of stored energy to launch a projectile in motion without the use of an explosive.  The catapult has proven to be a very effective weapon during ancient times. Check out the following link for some more examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG2c9e7UAXY&feature=autoplay&list=PL3FEB012A54AC5039&lf=results_main&playnext=2

Comic Monday: Motion

A neutron walks into a bar and asks, "how much for a drink?"
the bartender replies, "for you, no charge"



And here's a stop-motion animation:

Song: Ready, Able by Grizzly Bear

Word of the Day

Motion: a change in position on an object with respect to time. It is typically described in terms of velocity, acceleration, displacement, and time.

Test Your Knowledge Friday: Gravity

That post title is a lie actually. No test today. But we do have another activity for you to try. Give it a shot.

The Super Glue Chair:

• Sit in a straight-back armless chair, keeping your back against the back of the chair and your feet flat on the floor.
• Fold your arms across your chest.
• Keeping your feet flat and your back straight, try to stand up.
• Are you glued to your chair?

Why This Works: In this sitting position, the center of gravity is at the base of your spine. By trying to stand up with your back straight, you prevent the center of gravity from moving to a position above your feet, which would be necessary to stand up. Therefore, you remain glued to your chair!

Here are the Answers to last week's quiz-ola:
1. the sun
2. evaporation
3. the clouds
4. precipitation
5. the ocean

Have a great weeeekend.

An Important Lesson

Thursday Study Guide: The Impossible Leap

Here's a funny video of astronaut bloopers:

Try this at home...although, you'll need to counter-act the forces of gravity. 

Here's How (it's easy, just two steps!):

1. While standing up, bend over and hold your toes with your hands, keeping your knees slightly bent.

2. Try to jump forward in this position without removing your hands from your toes while you are jumping. 

Why This Happens!

In this position, you can jump backwards from one end of the room to the other, but you won't be able to jump forward even a single leap! When we jump, we first shift our center of gravity in the direction we want to jump, and then we move our support base in the same direction to regain our balance. When you are holding onto your toes, jumping backwards is not a problem because you can use your heels. But to jump forward, you would have to use your toes... and your fingers are in the way.