Everyday experience with physics

[Bmop]

Hello all, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.
At the moment, I'm writing the essay for my college application (I know, I know, but please read on). I'm transferring from a community college, and I decided to transfer as a physics major.

In a nutshell, I'm trying to come up with examples of everyday experiences everyone has that involve physics.
Here are some examples I've written so far -

"I've driven a car."
"I've been in a car accident."
"I've ridden a roller coaster."
"I've flown in an airplane."
"I've been punched in the face."

This is the prompt -
Q. What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Basically, I decided to become a physics major after taking a class last semester, so I have no experience in the field... except for examples like I've given.
YOUR task, if you would like to help, is to come up with more examples similar to mine; the cleverer the better.
Unfortunately, I can't cite you when I turn in my paper, so if you post it, it's up for grabs. Thanks!

 

[lincs_b]

Hello all, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.
At the moment, I'm writing the essay for my college application (I know, I know, but please read on). I'm transferring from a community college, and I decided to transfer as a physics major.

In a nutshell, I'm trying to come up with examples of everyday experiences everyone has that involve physics.
Here are some examples I've written so far -

"I've driven a car."
"I've been in a car accident."
"I've ridden a roller coaster."
"I've flown in an airplane."
"I've been punched in the face."

This is the prompt -
Q. What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Basically, I decided to become a physics major after taking a class last semester, so I have no experience in the field... except for examples like I've given.
YOUR task, if you would like to help, is to come up with more examples similar to mine; the cleverer the better.
Unfortunately, I can't cite you when I turn in my paper, so if you post it, it's up for grabs. Thanks!

All of your examples are considering motion. Physics is a broad subject and the best description I can think of is that Physics is understanding the way in which everything from atoms to the universe behaves. For me my interest in Physics started at a young age as I have always been curious about the world around me.

 

[robphy]

I've used a ramp.
I sit on a chair (and it doesn't collapse into pieces or diffuse into a gas).
I flushed the toilet.
I've looked in the mirror.
I've seen that the sky is blue and the sunsets are red.
I've seen socks stick together in the dryer.
I've used a microwave, a GPS, a DVD player, an iPhone, a Wii, ...
I use batteries to power these devices.
My iPhone is wireless.
My coffee cools when I add cream to it.
I've seen lightning before I hear the thunder.
I can hear around corners, although I can't see around them.

..certainly much more can be added.

 

[mbisCool]

I always thought it was cool just how much phenomena can be explained simply by the fact that the coefficient of static friction is greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction.

Although this is the least of my interests..