Physics is Phun! And Projectiles are the Icing on the Cake

Really, what boy doesn't like projectiles - particularly throwing his own projectiles. Now, just imagine the excitement that comes from CREATING something that can launch projectiles! That's what I call homework. Incidentally, that's what Alison calls homework, too.

In her 10th grade physics class a few weeks ago, she had them all do a project where they needed to create a catapult that could project a ping-pong ball at least 50cm. I'm not sure what the unit was - probably something to do with motion and projectiles (she has thus informed me that "projectile motion" was the name of the unit. I get an "A").

The students had a good time doing it, and I was duly impressed with the projects and posters hanging in Alison's classroom. The students obviously worked very hard on these. If you look closely at two of the pictures, you can even see the pingpong ball being launched. Much further than the required 50 cm. You can see four of the catapults in the pictures below.*

So to all of her students - congratulations on fantastic projects! Yes - that's right. I know you read this blog. There are more pictures, and if you're interested, tell Ms. Alison and I'll post the rest of them on my picasa site (see link on the right), and you can download them yourself.

Setting up the catapult just so.

Watching carefully as the ball is launched.

I must say - that's quite a large catapult!

Small, but obviously very effective.

This makes you want to teach or take a physics class, doesn't it!
*You will notice an equal amount of pictures of boys and girls. This is to highlight the fact that we are equal opportunity teachers. We believe that both boys and girls have the same potential to do fantastic things in physics and we encourage all of them to go on and be famous scientists that will revolutionize the world with their inventions. I also believe they will all make stellar economists in 12th grade!