Dominos
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SCIENCE CONCEPT
Kinetic energy or energy of motion, and potential energy are two main forms of energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of an object and how it moves. Potential energy is the energy stored up inside of the object relative to its position and other factors. Potential energy becomes kinetic energy when the object is set in motion. This is why dominos fall.
Dominos falling is a perfect example of kinetic and potential energy in action. Standing the dominos up in rows gives it potential energy because of its position. When the domino is pushed over and begins falling, the stored up potential energy is converted to kinetic energy because of the domino's motion. As their bottoms slip against the surface and as they slide against each other, friction takes place. This results in some of the energy being converted into heat and sound. In conclusion, dominos falling is a physical representation of kinetic and potential energy in operation. |
APPLICATION
There are many applications of potential and kinetic energy. One of these is a bicycle at the top of a hill. At the top, its energy is stored up into energy called potential energy. When the bicyclist is on the top of the hill, the only energy he possesses is potential. As it rolls down the hill, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy because of the bicycle's motion. Now at the bottom, all of the energy is kinetic. There is no potential energy. This may be one demonstration of how potential and kinetic energy are used in everyday life, but there are many more.
Potential and kinetic energy are found everywhere. Some examples are roller coasters ascending to the top of the ride's slope and plummeting downwards, stretching and then releasing a rubber band, and holding and shooting a basketball. In all of these, the object has stored up energy because of its position. That energy is then released by the object's motion and turned into kinetic energy. Many applications can be seen that show how potential and kinetic energy work in everyday life. |
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CAREER
The type of scientist that studies kinetic energy, potential energy, and energy of motion, is a physicist. A physicist is someone who “explores the fundamental properties and laws that govern space, time, energy, and matter,” says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So in short, they basically study the universe. Their work can range from studying the basic laws of nature to developing tools and instruments.
The job of a physicist is one that can range over a number of things. One could help develop medical devices and instruments, broaden our understanding of physical properties and the natural world, and so on. There are many career paths one could take when considering if they should be a physicist. Since there is a wide range of classes in their education, and a high demand for their knowledge, aspiring physicists can go into almost any field. They could work in a finance firm, defense company, college or university, and many more. Of course, there are more research related and more jobs concentrated on just physics that one could go into besides those. This just goes to show that if someone is wanting to become a physicist, there is a plethora of options. |
SCIENTIST
A famous physicist who excelled in their field, and was arguably one of the most prominent scientists of his day and currently, is Albert Einstein. Albert was born on March 14th, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. He moved many times during his childhood, going from Ulm to Munich to Italy, where he entered the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. His intent was to become a teacher in physics and mathematics. When he graduated he received his Swiss citizenship, was unable to gain a teaching position, so he accepted a position as a technical assistant at the Swiss Patent Office. This is where he did most of his remarkable work.
Albert Einstein was a person who gave the world of science new dimensions of energy, space, time and matter. He was a scientist who interpreted and discovered new theories about physics. He is best known for his equation e=mc2. Some of his other notable works were Avogadro's Number, Quantum Theory of Light, General Theory of Relativity, and many more. As well he received a Nobel Prize for his advancements in physics and for his discovery of the law of photoelectric effect. Albert Einstein was a man who made great contributions to the field of physics, that set him apart from other physicists. |
ESSAY
The project I chose to research was the science behind falling dominos. I learned many things over the course of my research. I found that two energies are at work, one when the domino is standing and one when it is falling. These are potential and kinetic energy. Additionally, I found many ways that these energies can be applied in everyday life. A domino is just one of the various examples of potential and kinetic energy displayed.
For my demonstration, I started by setting the dominos up in a straight line. I used black and white dominos my family already owened. I shot the demonstration on our dining room table, as it was a flat clean surface to showcase in my video. As the dominos were stood up and lined in rows, they gained potential energy. Before, when laying flat, the domino held no potential energy. Potential energy is energy stored up inside of an object relative to its position and other factors. The dominos exhibited this because of the position they were in. When the domino is pushed over it creates kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy or energy of motion is the energy of an object and how it moves. So when I pushed the domino over, its potential energy was converted to kinetic energy. As the dominos fell, they gained more and more kinetic energy. The first domino transferred its kinetic energy to the second one, and the second one to the third one, and the third one to the fourth, and so on. The kinetic energy is was then turned into heat and sound, and, as the domino laid dormant, it had absolutely no potential or kinetic energy.
The only thing that went wrong in the duration of my project was finding a place to film. Additionally, it took some time to figure out what words I wanted to say. This took a few takes, but eventually I got it down. I didn't necessarily have anything go wrong within my demonstration. This was due to the simplicity of my project. Thankfully, everything else went smoothly, and I was able to set the dominos up successfully each time.
Some people spend hours building, planning and executing huge projects of constructing domino patterns. One man in 1979, Michael Cairney, holds the world record for the number of dominos he set up. In just two weeks, he set up more than 150,000 dominos at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Before this, this record was believed to be set by two high school students the previous month.
The reason these people were so successful in their building was because they kept going. Michael had numerous setbacks. One of these was when a gust of wind came in through a open door. This resulted in a few thousand dominos toppling over. He didn't make his goal, which was 200,000, but still broke the previous record.
After watching videos and reading about these people, they make me think about my own project. Though nothing went wrong, I didn't challenge myself as much as I could have. Given the opportunity to do this project again, I would do it on a much grander scale than I ended up doing. I can’t wait to try it more at home and push myself to build like these dedicated people.
I learned a lot about some of the most important and fundamental energies that drive the universe. As previously stated, these are kinetic energy and potential energy. I was able to research their definitions and attributes. In my findings I found that potential energy is the energy of an object relative to its position and that kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. I found that, not only are they the forces behind why a domino falls, but many other things we see in our world.
These energies can be found almost everywhere. For example, a bicyclist at the top of the hill has potential energy because of its position. As the bike goes down the hill, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. This change in energy is caused by the bike's motion, because kinetic energy is also the energy of motion. Additionally, there are many more ways such as a basketball in the hands of someone about to shoot it. As they shoot, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. A bowling ball is also a prime example, as well as a person on a trampoline.
To conclude, my project was finding the science behind why a domino falls, and what is happening when it does. I was able to learn a lot about the subject, and that it is beneficial to our everyday lives. That it can be seen almost everywhere. Potential and kinetic energy are some of the most important forces that are in our universe.
For my demonstration, I started by setting the dominos up in a straight line. I used black and white dominos my family already owened. I shot the demonstration on our dining room table, as it was a flat clean surface to showcase in my video. As the dominos were stood up and lined in rows, they gained potential energy. Before, when laying flat, the domino held no potential energy. Potential energy is energy stored up inside of an object relative to its position and other factors. The dominos exhibited this because of the position they were in. When the domino is pushed over it creates kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy or energy of motion is the energy of an object and how it moves. So when I pushed the domino over, its potential energy was converted to kinetic energy. As the dominos fell, they gained more and more kinetic energy. The first domino transferred its kinetic energy to the second one, and the second one to the third one, and the third one to the fourth, and so on. The kinetic energy is was then turned into heat and sound, and, as the domino laid dormant, it had absolutely no potential or kinetic energy.
The only thing that went wrong in the duration of my project was finding a place to film. Additionally, it took some time to figure out what words I wanted to say. This took a few takes, but eventually I got it down. I didn't necessarily have anything go wrong within my demonstration. This was due to the simplicity of my project. Thankfully, everything else went smoothly, and I was able to set the dominos up successfully each time.
Some people spend hours building, planning and executing huge projects of constructing domino patterns. One man in 1979, Michael Cairney, holds the world record for the number of dominos he set up. In just two weeks, he set up more than 150,000 dominos at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Before this, this record was believed to be set by two high school students the previous month.
The reason these people were so successful in their building was because they kept going. Michael had numerous setbacks. One of these was when a gust of wind came in through a open door. This resulted in a few thousand dominos toppling over. He didn't make his goal, which was 200,000, but still broke the previous record.
After watching videos and reading about these people, they make me think about my own project. Though nothing went wrong, I didn't challenge myself as much as I could have. Given the opportunity to do this project again, I would do it on a much grander scale than I ended up doing. I can’t wait to try it more at home and push myself to build like these dedicated people.
I learned a lot about some of the most important and fundamental energies that drive the universe. As previously stated, these are kinetic energy and potential energy. I was able to research their definitions and attributes. In my findings I found that potential energy is the energy of an object relative to its position and that kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. I found that, not only are they the forces behind why a domino falls, but many other things we see in our world.
These energies can be found almost everywhere. For example, a bicyclist at the top of the hill has potential energy because of its position. As the bike goes down the hill, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. This change in energy is caused by the bike's motion, because kinetic energy is also the energy of motion. Additionally, there are many more ways such as a basketball in the hands of someone about to shoot it. As they shoot, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. A bowling ball is also a prime example, as well as a person on a trampoline.
To conclude, my project was finding the science behind why a domino falls, and what is happening when it does. I was able to learn a lot about the subject, and that it is beneficial to our everyday lives. That it can be seen almost everywhere. Potential and kinetic energy are some of the most important forces that are in our universe.
