Using Mechanics to help with A level Maths

 Doing practical mechanics to help understand A level Maths. Playing with practical mechanics brings a level of realism to the Physics Maths problems, so the students can see and feel what is going on.

Newtons Second Law

 

One of my favourites - which ball will hit the ground first. Even with the evidence some students still don't believe it. Using a strobe to get the proof.

Using a prism

 Some brief bright sunshine through a crack in the curtains through a prism across the classroom wall The picture gave us about 15 different colours when seen as a jpeg #iteachphysics

Inverted test tube retains liquid

 Sometimes it is the little things that amaze students. During electrolysis they filled test tubes with solution, inverted them and were surprised when the liquid did not come out.

As to why this causes quite a discussion

Ticker Tape Timer

 Ticker tape timer. When introducing students to motion I find this is a great way to get the students to understand what is going on, make charts to stick in their book and then move on to electronic forms of recording. #iteachphysics

Electrical Choices

Which Fuse should I use? How safe is a UK Plug? What is a trip switch? - Frightening ideas and choices from students.

Drexel University chemical engineers create a new Li-S battery that outperforms rival Batteries.

A group of Drexel University chemical engineers have found a way to introduce sulfur into lithium-ion batteries which has improved the capabilities of the battery. The discovery is a new way of producing and stabilizing a rare form of sulfur that functions in carbonate electrolyte, which is the electrolyte gel used in commercial Li-ion batteries. This development would not only make sulfur batteries commercially viable, but they would have three times the capacity of Li-ion batteries and last more than 4,000 recharges. Previous versions of the Li-S batteries have already been shown to have improved performance in experimental settings using an ether electrolyte, rather than using the traditional carbonate. But these batteries are not be commercially viable. Replacing the cathode in Li-ion batteries with a sulfur one would alleviate the need for sourcing cobalt, nickel and manganese, which are toxic.