What are some suggestions for a 11th grade Classical Mechanics project?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for an 11th grade Classical Mechanics project, focusing on experimental verification of principles, calculation of constants, or construction of demonstrative machines. Participants seek practical and insightful project ideas that can be executed with limited resources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire for project ideas that are instructive and insightful, specifically mentioning the need to experimentally verify principles or calculate constants.
  • Another participant suggests an experiment involving a helium-filled balloon tied to a string while on a moving train to observe the balloon's behavior during acceleration.
  • A participant questions the feasibility of the suggested experiment, noting difficulties in obtaining a helium balloon and suggesting an alternative of running with the balloon instead.
  • There is a proposal to compare the behavior of a helium balloon with a regular air-filled balloon during the experiment, with a humorous suggestion to use a water-filled balloon for further comparison.
  • One participant seeks clarification on what they would observe during the experiment, hypothesizing that the rope would deviate from vertical and the balloon would oscillate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of feasibility regarding the suggested balloon experiment, with some agreeing on the idea while others raise concerns about practical execution. No consensus is reached on the specifics of the observations or the best approach to the project.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations in accessing materials like helium balloons, which may affect the execution of proposed experiments. There are also unresolved questions regarding the conditions necessary to observe the intended effects.

dx
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We have been studying Classical Mechanics this term (11th grade) and I will have to do some project in it when I go back to school for the second term (perform an experiment, construct an instrument etc.). I would like to do something which is instructive and insightful. If you can suggest something, I would be grateful.
 
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http://www4.umdnj.edu/camlbweb/scifair.html

Zz.
 
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Thanks for the link ZapperZ. I've looked through the site, but I need to pay for most of what they offer. The type of thing I need to do is to experimentally verify some principle or calculate some constant (like g) or build some machine which clearly demonstrates something (like atwoods machine or an air trough). I would appreciate it if some one could give me particular examples of possible projects. I don't want things that are just cool to look at.
 
What about getting a helium filled balloon, tie a string to it, get onto a train, and while holding on the other end of the string, watch it as the train starts to move (accelerate) forward. You'll see something puzzling that you can write about and explain.

Zz.
 
Hm.. I really can't get onto a train right now. And I am not sure where I can buy a helium filled balloon. Mybe ill try it standing on a car if I find a balloon. But just for now, to think about it, can you tell me what ill see?
 
dx said:
Hm.. I really can't get onto a train right now. And I am not sure where I can buy a helium filled balloon. Mybe ill try it standing on a car if I find a balloon. But just for now, to think about it, can you tell me what ill see?

Nope. You just have to do it yourself.

Zz.
 
Would it be ok if I held the balloon and started running? or does it have to be a gradual acceleration to percieve the effect?
 
dx said:
Would it be ok if I held the balloon and started running? or does it have to be a gradual acceleration to percieve the effect?

No, this will not work.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
What about getting a helium filled balloon, tie a string to it, get onto a train, and while holding on the other end of the string, watch it as the train starts to move (accelerate) forward. You'll see something puzzling that you can write about and explain.

Zz.
This experiment would be even better by first using a balloon filled with regular air for comparrison. Nice idea, Zz.
 
  • #10
z-component said:
This experiment would be even better by first using a balloon filled with regular air for comparrison. Nice idea, Zz.

Or go all the way and fill it with water!

:)

Zz.
 
  • #11
Please tell me what ill see, its not easy to get helium baloons where I live. I am guessing that the rope will deviate from the vertical and the balloon will oscillate. is that right?
 

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