"The Fastest Ice on Earth" - Conservation of Momentum in Short Track Speed Skating

On February 12, 2010, the stunning opening ceremonies to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics were held at BC Place in British Columbia. This ceremony opened the 21st Olympic Winter Games in which the USA was awarded over 37 medals and Canada got its first gold on home land (over 14 golds, leading the gold count for the Olympics). For me, one of the most exciting sports to watch and one that I knew little about was Short Track Speed Skating. These athletes need to have speed, agility, athleticism, and aggression in order to excel in the races. Not only is Short Track exciting to watch, but it is also filled with physics, like all of the other sports in the winter Olympics.

Below is a link to and an embedded "Prezi" that gives a little history of Short Track, describes its rules, equipment, winners, and illustrates how the Conservation of Momentum and the Conservation of Energy apply to the sport that moves at a lightning speed:

Link for full screen:  Short Track Speed Skating "Prezi"

I could not have done this project without my partner Cyrus. Thanks so much for your help and collaboration. It was such an enjoyable experience. Here is his Blog: "A Phlight Through Physics"

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/