How is physics knowledge used in everyday life?

[Orodruin]

This reminds me of an argument I hd with someone on this forum who was adamant that time is exactly the same as space because the two are combined in the metric.. :-)

I don’t think this is an argument that I would use. I would say that it is natural to use a system of units where time and length have the same physical dimension since they are both just (non-angular) coordinates on the same manifold relating to the length of curves in that manifold and it makes no sense to introduce an arbitrary conversion factor (apart from convenience for everyday at will show up essentially everywhere to obstruct the actual physics.

 

[marthasimons2]

I don't know if this example is exciting enough to demonstrate the laws of physics in our daily life, but it still is worth mentioning. When you want to open a door, you just use the handle that is situated on the other side of the door's hinge. It would be really difficult to open the door if the handle was situated somewhere in the middle, for example. What is used here is the rule of turning forces. Your goal is to create a large moment around a pivot. This idea can be used in various physical activities in real life. When you know the right way of applying your force, it becomes easier to reach your goal.

 

[pinball1970]

I am not a physicist so this should count. Charging up glow in the dark applications at work I used D65+UV in the light box to get quickest results. Other options being Tungsten, TL84, UV on its own or D65 on its own.

 

[symbolipoint]

Piano (acoustic) and guitar (acoustic), depending on what you know and how much you know.
vibrating strings, and tone-woods.
Why? Waves and wave interference.

Also, have you seen a chladni pattern?

 

[RPinPA]

I grew up in a snowy, icy place. I have a peculiar step I use on ice which my wife calls my "ice walk". I almost never fall down or slip on ice because of it, despite the fact that most of the time I am wearing unsuitable footwear (sneakers).

It came from direct contemplation of the physics. I realized that we normally walk by relying on friction. You push on the ground and expect static friction to cause a force moving you forward. Remove the friction and your foot just slides backward, throwing you off balance.

Better: try as much as possible not to do that backward push. Lift the feet and put them down vertically. Obviously there has to be some forward force as you need to move horizontally, but you are deliberately trying to minimize it. If you do it right, you'll be able to get across a lot of slippery patches that are defeating other people.

I also find myself thinking about the physics constantly around the house, with little fix-it things. How many nails, placed where, would give this thing the right structural strength. How do I stabilize this structure? (A single diagonal brace turns an unstable square structure into a stable one). How can I open this jar? (When I realized that it was the vacuum that created the friction of the jar lid, the answer was simple: pry the lid up just a bit and let the air in). What's the quickest way to get 6" of snow and ice off my windshield? (Ice melts at 32 F/0 C. The first thing you do is open the car and start the heater and then wait a minute. It only has to get the window to 0 C to make your life a lot easier).

There are literally hundreds of examples like that. I think about the physics all the time.

 

[CWatters]

It's a fine line between consciously or unconsciously using physics knowledge...

When you buy a phone you check or compare the battery capacity with other models.
When you buy a light bulb you choose how bright it is.
When you buy a car you check it's fuel consumption figures.
When you buy a duvet you look at the TOG value.
If you replace windows in your house you care about insulation and U-Values.
When you go to the beach you might estimate when the tide will come back in.

 

[Frigus]

I think This video has perfect answer(at least for me) for this question.