Flywheels and Gyros

Angular momentum is a property of an object in motion that depends on its mass, velocity, and distance from the axis of rotation. Students seem to find the concepts counterintuitive and almost magic.

 When an object rotates around an axis, it has angular momentum in the direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation.

In a gyro, a spinning rotor is mounted in a set of gimbals, which allow it to rotate freely in any direction. When the gyro is moved or rotated, the rotor resists the change in direction due to its angular momentum, causing the gimbals to move in a way that reflects the change in direction. This resistance to change in direction is known as gyroscopic stability.

Gyroscopes are commonly used in navigation systems, aircraft, and spacecraft to measure orientation and angular velocity. They are also used in stabilizing cameras, drones, and other equipment that needs to maintain a steady position in space.

Flywheels are often used as a form of energy storage because they can store energy in the form of rotational kinetic energy. This energy can be released quickly and efficiently when needed, making flywheels useful for various applications.

One of the most common applications of flywheels for energy storage is in electric or hybrid vehicles. When the vehicle is braking, the energy is used to spin up a flywheel, storing the energy as rotational kinetic energy. Later, when the vehicle needs to accelerate, the energy can be drawn from the flywheel, converting the kinetic energy back into electrical energy to power the vehicle's electric motor.

Flywheels can also be used to store energy in renewable energy systems, such as wind or solar power. The energy generated by wind turbines or solar panels can be used to spin up a flywheel, storing the energy until it is needed. This energy can be released quickly and efficiently, providing a reliable power source even when the wind is not blowing, or the sun is not shining.

Another application of flywheels for energy storage is grid stabilization. Fluctuations in power supply and demand can cause instability in the electrical grid, and flywheels can be used to smooth out these fluctuations by providing a buffer of stored energy that can be quickly released when needed.

Electrolysis Required Practical

Electrolysis Required Practical: When discussing electrolysis with a student who had not previously performed the experiment, observed a demonstration or watched a video on the topic, I instructed them to set up and conduct the practical on their own.

Mendel and Genetics

 I find this one of the hardest topics to teach because of the lack of practical work. Sure we can do some genetics at GCSE but it takes so much time and theory is so much better when based on some practical work. #ScienceEducation

Integrating parametric Functions

Teaching students how to integrate parametric functions using Desmos and Casio CG50 to display graphs and help them visualize. #MathEducation #ParametricFunctions #Desmos #CasioCG50

A parametric function is a mathematical function where the variables x and y are expressed as separate functions of a third variable, usually denoted as t. In other words, a parametric function describes the relationship between two variables in terms of a third variable. The parameter t is often interpreted as time, and the values of x and y at a given t represent the coordinates of a point on a curve or surface. Parametric functions are commonly used to describe motion and change over time in physics, engineering, and other fields.

From black powder to beautiful blue crystals

 Why I enjoy teaching Chemistry so much. Taking a black powder and making some beautiful blue crystals of Copper Sulfate

Simple refraction in a glass

 Watch an arrow bend in a glass with and without water! It's amazing to see the look of disbelief when students realize it's not magic, just refraction. Optics can be both fun and fascinating!

Teaching Maths online

 Maths teaching is a breeze online, unlike Science. Using Zoom we can handle large numbers of students and explain how to solve Mathematical problems, creating a Plan for solving each problem faced.