Category: Physics

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

09/08/17

“How can we slow down a fluid while increasing its pressure?”

 

When working with fluids, we often want to modify its properties in some meaningful way. This could include changing more than one at once, such as slowing down its velocity while increasing its pressure. So how exactly can we accomplish this? Well, what if we were to just get a machine to do this? This is the exact idea behind a diffuser, which is the basis of operation for multiple types of HVAC systems.

Deadband

Deadband

Deadband

09/05/17

“Do some control systems have a zone with no feedback?”
Ideal controls systems are available to take in all possible frequencies. Some controls systems have a zone where the input frequency will return nothing. This region is known as the deadband and can be used to prevent unwanted side-effects.

How to solve farsightedness using physics

How to solve farsightedness using physics

How to solve farsightedness using physics

09/04/17

“How can we correct farsightedness using scientific knowledge?”

 

Although not as pervasive as near-sightedness, far sightedness is becoming an increasingly common problem, with 5-10 percent of Americans experiencing such a diagnosis. Nearsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is caused when the focal length of an individual’s eyeball is too large, causing the incoming light rays to focus on a point behind the eye (Make a link to how images form in the eye), which in turn will cause a fuzzy image. To correct this, we can insert a positive lens in front of the eye of an individual, which will cause the light to refocus at the back of the eye, enabling normal sight.

How to solve nearsightedness using physics

How to solve nearsightedness using physics

How to solve nearsightedness using physics

09/03/17

“How can we apply our knowledge of science to help nearsightedness?”

 

Nearsightedness is a pervasive phenomenon in modern day society, with nearly 40% of Americans being affected by the issue. This phenomena, also known as myopia, is caused when the focal length of individual’s eye ball lens is too short, causing its focal length to decrease, which causes these incoming light rays to be focused on a point in front of the back of the eye, which in turn will cause a fuzzy image to be received by the brain. So how can we use our scientific knowledge to correct this medical issue? Well, let’s think about it. Well, we know that we can change the direction of light using lenses. Furthermore, if we use a negative lens, then the incoming angle will go out in a higher direction. So what if we were to place a negative lens in front of our eye and let the light come through? Well, it turns out that this method can be found in nearly every single pair of eyeglasses, and is a prime example of how to solve nearsightedness using physics!

Undamped oscillations

Undamped oscillations

Undamped oscillations

08/26/17

“What are steady oscillations called?”

 

Many physical systems exhibit oscillating behavior. However, the natures of these oscillations can be different from one another. And in the most ideal oscillations, the amplitude is constant and unchanging. These oscillations are known as undamped oscillations and are rarely found outside equations and simulations.

Resonance Disaster

Resonance Disaster

Resonance Disaster

08/24/17

“What happens when a system’s oscillations actually destroy it?”
Mechanical systems have a tendency to oscillate until stability when their bodies are deformed. However, sometimes the oscillations are so powerful that they actually end up destroying the system itself! This phenomenon is known as a resonance disaster, and a most unfortunate example is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge when high-speed winds actually caused a bridge in the American State of Washington to shake into rupture.

The State Postulate

The State Postulate

The State Postulate

08/23/17

“What is the minimum amount of properties do we need to specify a thermodynamic system?”

 

In Thermodynamics, systems need to be specified by properties. But what is the minimum amount of properties do we need to specify a thermodynamic system? Well, after many hard years of research, Thermodynamicists have developed something known as the state postulate. With the State Postulate only two independent intrinsic variables are needed to specify a system. Once we have these variables, everything else can be derived through relationships.

Resonance

Resonance

Resonance

08/22/17

“What is the maximum amplitude of an oscillating system?”

 

In the physical world, systems can vibrate at different frequencies with different outputs. But when the system achieves maximum vibration at a certain frequency, it is called a resonance. Resonance has large impacts on the design of systems, from constructing electrical circuits to achieve certain characteristics to analyzing vibrational characteristics of bridges

Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse

08/21/17

“What happens when the moon totally blocks the sun?”

 

Every so often a very rare phenomenon happens. Under the right conditions, the path of the moon will pass completely in front of the sun and block all of the light, leaving only a glorious image of the Sun’s corona. After many millennia of research, Astronomers and Astrophysicists have termed this occurrence a total solar eclipse. While magnificent, total solar eclipses can also be quite dangerous, since looking directly into it without any protection can lead to permanent eye damage. An interesting consequences of total solar eclipses is that since the sun is absent from the sky, solar energy generation experiences a large drop, which can have devastating power consequences for regions that rely heavily on solar such as California