Marcus Wilson • Nov 30, 2009 •
Going back to my comments on the Karman line (100 km about the earth's surface), I think it's worth commenting a bit 'being in orbit' means. We are familiar with the fact that if we drop something it accelerates downwards and hits the ground. If we throw something away from us, it will still accelerate downwards and hit … Read More
Marcus Wilson • Oct 17, 2009 •
So, for those who want it in full, here is the joke I referred to earlier.A geneticist, a physicist, and a statistician are all asked by a gambler to advise him on which horse to place his money in the Melbourne Cup. Read More
Marcus Wilson • Sep 17, 2009 •
I've just been putting together a presentation for final year school children on the NZ scholarship physics exam. NZ Scholarship is awarded to the top 3% or so of students in a particular subject in a particular year, and there is some big money up for grabs.But the exam questions for scholarship are hard. Really. I find them hard (remember I lecture … Read More
Marcus Wilson • Aug 28, 2009 •
This morning we had a school group visit us from Whakatane - about 30 year 10 students (14 and 15 year olds) - they carried out some activities in Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics. I led them (as two groups) in a physics activity involving catapults.After doing the boring bit (talking about how energy is transferred from one form to … Read More