Category: Physics

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

Step Response

Step Response

Step Response

08/21/17

“What is the reaction to an abrupt change in conditions for a system?”

 

Complex systems are easily controlled by external forces, such as the flip of a switch. And when these forces do cause change, they can be quite quick and drastic, changing all of the conditions of the system. And since the reaction to such changes can be very quick and drastic as well, engineers and scientists have decided to term these changes as the step responses to the system. An example of a step response includes a mechanical body’s friction to moving forces.

Polytropic process

Polytropic process

Polytropic process

08/16/17

“What process in Thermodynamics holds the pressure and volume to a constant?”

 

Thermodynamics is known for its intense reliance on processes. Some of the most important types are classified as Polytropic processes. In polytropic processes, the pressure and volume are held to the constant given by the relation pv^n=c, where p is pressure, v is volume, n is the polytropic index, and c is a constant. A process is polytropic if it obeys the ideal gas law and if the heat to energy transfer as work at each infinitesimal step of the process is kept constant

 

Duty Cycles

Duty Cycles

Duty Cycles

08/15/17

“What described the on and off period for a digital signal?”

 

Digital signals have only two modes: on and off. And sometimes they cycle through each at a constant period. So how can we describe this phenomenon? Well, after much research, engineers have come up with the concept of a duty cycle. A duty cycle determines for what time periods the signal is on duty and can be quantified by the percentage on vs off (for example, a signal that is active for 3/4ths of the time has a duty cycle of 75%)