equilirium
Dot Physics
Category archives for equilirium
What is Arnold made of?
Posted by Rhett Allain on June 21, 2010 Of course I am talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger. After looking at how many bullets he carries in Commando, I remembered this scene (also from Commando) (warning: maybe some not great language and some killing. You have been warned) If you don’t want to watch that clip, here is a shot (sorry for the quality). Clearly…
Experimental Rope Logarithms
Posted by Rhett Allain on June 1, 2010 Sue from Math Mama Writes… sent me an email about wrapping a rope around a pole. In that post, Sue thinks about rope looped around a post. When you wrap a rope around a post, the friction between the rope and the post can help you hold something (like a horse) that is much stronger…
Stratos Jump for Mere Mortals
Posted by Rhett Allain on May 24, 2010 Crazy, but I was on CNN Saturday night. They contacted me at the last minute to talk about the Red Bull Stratos Jump. Here is a screen shot to show that I am not making this up (or that I have awesome photoshop skillz). Looking back, maybe I looked like an idiot. Really though, it…
Oak Trees are awesome
Posted by Rhett Allain on April 2, 2010 In this part of the world, we have oak trees. Technically they are called live oaks – but I don’t get it. Of course they are alive. I was at a soccer game and this is the tree I always look at. Look how far those limbs extend horizontally. That branch is about 12 meters…
Yo-Yo: Rolling, sliding, pulling
Posted by Rhett Allain on January 27, 2010 This is actually been sitting around for a while waiting for me to post it. Here is another short Christmas-toy demo. I am going to pull this yo-yo at different angles and on two different surfaces. Check it out. What is going on here? Let me look at the first case where I pull the…
The physics of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk
Posted by Rhett Allain on June 26, 2009 Was the moonwalk fake? No, not the Apollo landings. I am talking about Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. You got to admit, he had a big impact on a lot of stuff and this is my way to give him respect – physics. I am sure you know about the moonwalk. Maybe you can even do the…
Friction Demo with a meterstick
Posted by Rhett Allain on February 21, 2009 This is one of my favorite demos. Easy to do and doesn’t really require any equipment. The basic idea is that you support a meter stick horizontally with two fingers. Slide your fingers in and they will both meet at the center of mass. Here is a video. Meterstick friction demo from Rhett Allain on…
The Physics of Baby Carriers
Posted by Rhett Allain on December 1, 2008 This is something I have thought about for some time. It is also something I (as a father of 4) have a lot of experience with. The problem is these infant car carriers. In the car they are not a problem. The problem is out of the car. Not sure what I am talking about?…
The Iron Cross – or: Why is Gymnastics so Darn Difficult?
Posted by Rhett Allain on August 26, 2008 I know the olympics are basically over. Really, I should have posted this earlier. Anyway, the gymnastics feat that always impresses me is the Iron Cross (I think that is what it is called). I know you have seen this, but here is a picture from wikipedia:  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_(gymnastics)) Why is this so impressive?…