[NEIU Physics Students] Recap of SPS meeting April 6 2007

[Papiewski, John]

Dear Students,

 

We had an SPS meeting last Friday, April 6.  

 

Physics student Ray Rodriguez has been curious about the physics of the
gymnastic back flip, especially, how much force is exerted on landing
and how much it would stress his knees.  Dr Paulo Acioli had some ideas
for 'ballparking' the timing and the range of forces.  I pulled out a
Force Plate - a gadget that looks like a bathroom scale, measures forces
up to 3500 N and plugs into the Vernier interface.  We were able to see
what kind of force peaks result when Ray jumps on the force plate with
"hard" and "soft" landings, that is, if he bends his knees or not.

 

More talk of flying things brought us to the world of kites.  Proposed
for Monday, April 23 (weather permitting) is a "Fly Day" where SPS
members and public are invited to bring kites to fly on the campus
grounds - probably between the Science and "B" buildings .

 

No further officer nominations were presented.  Elections will be held
next meeting - Friday April 20th.

 

Thanks

 

John Papiewski

 

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