The Flipping Physics Blog

The Classic Bullet Projectile Motion Experiment

6/20/2014

I don’t normally toot my own horn, however, I am quite proud of this video. This is a demonstration of the Classic Bullet Projectile Motion Experiment. I don’t have the budget of Mythbusters, so I used a lacrosse ball instead, which actually allows for a split screen, slow motion visualization of the answer to which bullet lands first.

A Range Equation Problem with Two Parts

6/19/2014

The last of our Range Equation videos. We solve a problem involving two steps and solving for the launch angle, which can be a difficult step for some students.

Flipping Physics Correspondents!

6/17/2014

2014.06.17: I have a crazy idea. Okay, I know what you are thinking. “Aren’t all of mr.p’s ideas crazy?” And while that may be true, I guess I have another one. I am looking for Flipping Physics Fans who live outside the United States who would enjoy having a small role in one of my videos as a “Flipping Physics Correspondent from (Your Country)”. The idea is that I would give you a line or two and have you video yourself saying them. For example:

mr.p: Let’s go to Vardan Patni our Flipping Physics Correspondent from India. Vardan is going to show us that Newton’s 1st law of physics still works in India. Vardan?
Vardan: Thanks mr.p. Why don’t you all take a close look at this rock with me. Do you see how it isn’t moving? (pause) And it’s still not moving? That’s because an object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by a net external force, even in India. This is Vardan Patni reporting for Flipping Physics from (insert city name), India. Back to you mr.p.
mr.p: Thanks Vardan.

My anticipated timeline is wide open. I’d like to do it sometime in the next few months, probably.

There you go. If you live outside the United States, have access to a video camera and are interested in being a Flipping Physics Correspondent, please let me know. email, tweet, FB message, whatever...

Deriving the Range Equation of Projectile Motion

6/16/2014

If you are going to use the Range Equation of Projectile Motion, you should know how to derive it.

Understanding the Range Equation of Projectile Motion

6/10/2014

Ah, the Range Equation of Projectile Motion. A simple equation that, when understood, can be extremely helpful in determining distances of projectiles. Plus, I stood on a ladder and threw a basketball into a basket. :)

Congratulations Bogdan!

6/4/2014

By concisely and comedically describing Dark Matter, or "Unexplained Gravity" as he called it during his 3 minute time farm, Bogdan successfully qualified for the finals of FameLab. Congrats Bogdan! He was able to think well on his feet by answering questions and was even able to bring up WIMPs. Awesome job. Enjoy his speech and wish him luck in the finals on Thursday, which you can see live, hopefully even with audio (unlike the 1st semi-final.)

Sir Issac Newton?

6/4/2014

Sir Issac Newton posted on my FaceBook Page today. Amazing. Especially considering he died 287 years ago.

Nerd-A-Pult #2 – Another Projectile Motion Problem

6/3/2014

Yes, another projectile motion problem. But why? Isn’t one enough? In a word, No. I changed very little in the problem and it changes the math significantly.

FameLab International

6/2/2014

A friend of mine, Bogdan Ghiorghiu, will be representing Romania in the International FameLab competition tomorrow. Scientists representing more than 20 countries compete in giving 3 minute presentations about science. They are allowed to use small props, however, "no electronic media including slides or charts are allowed." The idea is to be able to effectively communicate your scientific ideas using words and your body. The semi-finals start tomorrow at 3:30 PM EST and will be show live on YouTube. It would be a really cool thing to do in class as the year is winding down.