Extra!! Extra!! Read all about it! Finally the secret behind the death-defying "Sphere of Fear" explained!

Have you ever been to a circus, amusement park, or stunt show? Well, all of those air defying and gravity smashing stunts are just good applications of physics and an understanding of motion. Not to say that these tricks are not dangerous and don’t risk life and limb, they do. However, the physics principles behind them are rather simple. Take for example the “Sphere of Fear,” “Globe of Death,” or “Circle of Doom” that is a staple in many circus acts. The stunt is fundamentally composed of a large spherical metal cage with one or more motorcycles and riders driving around on the inside. Created by Herb “Daredevil” Durkin after WWII, he and his wife believed that the public would pay good money in order to see the death defying “double loop.” For more than 30 years, they continuously added new tricks to their repertoire such as sidecars, more riders, and eventually, they decided to cut off the bottom half of the sphere in order to increase the risk and make it more exciting for the audiences. In the early 70s, Herb Durkin and his wife retired and left their “Sphere of Fear” to rust into scrap metal. From then on, fresh and innovative performers, entertainers, and daredevils have created similar acts and amazed audiences with their fearless acts of bravery.

Now onto the Physics!!!
Here is a “Prezi” that can explain everything: "The Sphere of Death" - Prezi
 In this "Prezi," you will find a description and analysis of the motion of the riders and motorcycles when riding in the "Sphere of Death." It includes a detailed description of both vertical and horizontal loops, what would happen if the riders go too fast, too slow, or just the right speed, and multiple FBDs and diagrams in order to help you understand what is the physics behind this amazing feat. To navigate the "Prezi," move the mouse to the bottom right of the "Prezi" and use the arrows to step forward or backward in the path.

Now that you know how it works, test you skills with the Homer Simpsons "The Ball of Death Game".


Attributions:
Pictures:
Filmstrip: http://www.accoll.se/default.aspx?id=1249
Black and Blue Colorful Fractal: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-43038823/stock-photo-colorful-abstract-fractal-background.html
Blue and White Waves: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-32752504/stock-photo-animated-waves.html
Dark and Gloomy Sphere of Death: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3_vtdoqr_isY-Q69Qq8o6w
Green Sphere of Death in Motion: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerollerson/3332074252/
Blurred Motorcycle in Motion: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerollerson/3344932877/in/pool-fairgrounds
Sphere of Death in Daylight: http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/03circular-motion/sphear/
Inside Sphere of Death: http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/03circular-motion/sphear/
Bright Colorful Blue Fractal: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=41864677
Roller Coaster: http://sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects/forces/
Softball: http://softballtips.wordpress.com/category/softball-pitching/
Diagrams: http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/03circular-motion/sphear/
LED Circle: http://hacknmod.com/hack/goliath-killing-led-bola-slingshot/
Snail Cartoon: http://www.toonpool.com/cartoons/Globe%20of%20Death_9499#
Specific Tricks: http://www.acmecompany.com/Pages/Urias.html
Videos:
YouTube Long: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVaKxNDNF-Q
YouTube Short: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3nqUUGWx4o&feature=related
Information:
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/03circular-motion/sphear/
http://www.physics.uni.edu/chanceyclass/GPI/Chapter%206%20part%202.ppt
Game:
Homer Simpson Ball of Death Game: http://www.gamesplz.com/play/457/homer-simpsons-the-globe-of-death.html

Reflection: Newton's Second Law of Motion including Friction

In this Prezi (a "digital napkin/ presentation tool" if you will), I give my reflections on Newton's Second Law of motion including friction and describe some of what I learned, some of my difficulties during this unit, and some of my problem solving skills as well.



Attribution for Prezi: http://prezi.com/

Physics Carol

In this glog is the lyrics for a song "Wondrous Physicsland" written by me, sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland."  I hope that you enjoy!
 Wondrous Physicsland Carol Lyrics Glog

PS: I also wrote a short carol entitled "Hark - Newton's Second Law of Motion" written by me, sung to the tune of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing."  It is short, but it is sweet!


"Hark - Newton's Second Law of Motion":
Newton’s second law of motion,
Describes how objects accelerate,
Sigma f equals ma,
That is what helps us to say.

That the intensity of a force,
Depends upon the mass of course.

The cause and effect linked in a definite way,
That is what this law can say,
Understanding bodies moving away,
The second law now saves the day.

Reflection: Newton's First Law of Motion

During this lesson about Newton's First Law of Motion, I have learned numerous concepts which are expanded upon in the following Glogster.  The Glogster contains information about some of what I have learned about this lesson, what I have found difficult to understand, my problem-solving skills, and some connections between the learned concepts and real world situations.

Newton's 1st Law of Motion & Translational Equilibrium