Physics:
Everyday Examples in Engineering
Lesson Plans
This section contains lesson plans and solutions, most of which have been prepared using the principle of the 5Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate (1).
Particle Kinematics
Particle Kinetics
Rigid Body Kinetics
Thermodynamic Laws
- First law of thermodynamics - System properties & substances: coffee-maker, exploding soup
- First law of thermodynamics - Chips, Classroom Air-Conditioning, Photosynthesis, iPod
- Second law of thermodynamics - large fan, cup of tea, geothermal heat engine
- Second law of thermodynamics - Entropy: balloons, turbines, milky coffee
- Second law of thermodynamics - Exergy: candy, death, air-powered cars, ‘destructive’ walls
Vibrations and Waves
Demonstrations
This section provides examples of demonstrations—and includes directions for building and using the demonstrations.
Particle Kinematics
Particle Kinetics
Video Demonstrations of Everyday Examples
Ideas for Lesson Plans
This section lists ideas that could be used to illustrate engineering concepts. Consider these ideas as you create your own lesson plans.
Particle Kinematics
- Bicycle, Skateboard*
Particle Kinetics
- Avalanches*
- Bicycling*
- Dance*
- Energy Skate Park
- Hair Dryer (Fan Speed Affects the Air Flow Rates*
- Hammering In a Nail
- Spider-Man: The Death of Gwen Stacey
- Superman: Leaping Tall Buildings in a Single Bound
- Swimming, Scuba Diving*
- Teeth*
Rigid Body Kinetics
- Ice Skating*
- Unscrewing Bottles*
Thermodynamic Laws
Vibrations and Waves
- Flash Creating a Sonic Boom When He Runs
- House of Mirrors*
- Laser Pointers*
- Movies - Use of Light*
*Source: Ilene Busch-Vishniac, Tom Kibler, Patricia B. Campbell, Eann Patterson, Darrell Guillaume, Jeffrey Jarosz, Constantine Chassapis, Ashley Emery, Glenn Ellis. Horace Whitworth, Susan Metz, Suzanne Brainard & Pradosh Ray
(1) Atkin, J.M. and Karplus, R. (1962). Discovery or Invention? Science Teacher, 29(5):45.