Browsing articles in "RPn"

Acceleration in Physics: Meaning, Measurement, & Calculation (RP7)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Acceleration in Physics - Meaning, Measurement, & CalculationAcceleration is the rate of change of velocity. This seventh Radical Physics (RP) taproot episode gets at the heart of kinematics and lays the foundation for much of mechanics.  

How to Convert Units of Measurement in Physics & Chemistry (RP6a)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

How to Convert Units of Measurement in Physics & Chemistry (RP6a) Measurement is crucial to science. And the ability to convert measurements from one set of units to another is crucial for science students! This Radical Physics (RP) "tendril" episode teaches how units conversion works.Measurement is crucial to science. And the ability to convert measurements from one set of units to another is crucial for science students! This Radical Physics (RP) tendril episode teaches how units conversion works.

Velocity in Physics: Meaning, Measurement, & Calculation (RP6)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Velocity in Physics - Meaning, Measurement, & Calculation

Velocity is the rate of change of position. This sixth RP taproot episode lays the 1-dimensional foundation for the study of velocity, acceleration, and all the laws of kinematics.

Types of Force in Physics: Diversity, Meaning, & Measurement (RP5)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Types of Force in Physics - Diversity, Meaning, & MeasurementMany types of force exist. Besides the four fundamental interactions (gravity, electromagnetism, weak & strong nuclear), there are numerous everyday forces that are human-scale manifestations of the fundamental interactions.

Laws vs. Definitions in Physics: Revelation vs. Convention (RP4a)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Eric   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Laws vs. Definitions in Physics - Revelation vs. ConventionIt’s important to distinguish physical laws from definitions. DEFINITIONS have a local, human source; they are made by convention. However, in physics, LAWS come from the universe; they are revealed.

Force, Inertia, & Newton’s First Law of Motion (RP4)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Force, Inertia, & Newton, surfThis 4th Radical Physics (RP) “taproot” episode clarifies the concept of force and properly introduces the Law of Inertia (aka Newton’s 1st Law of Motion).

Innumeracy, Part 1: Triple Powers of Ten (RP2c)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments
Innumeracy, Part 1: Triple Powers of Ten
Innumeracy is the numerical equivalent of illiteracy: an inability to deal with numbers, particularly large numbers.  This Radical Physics (RP) tendril episode introduces a solution to the important social(!) problem of innumeracy.

Significant Figures & Scientific Notation (RP2b)

Sep 18, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Radical Physics: Significant Figures

Accuracy in measurement and calculation is crucial to science.

This Radical Physics (RP) tendril episode introduces scientific notation and “sig figs,” two important tools for maintaining and displaying accuracy.

 

Inertia, Mass, & a Bad Law of Physics – Newton’s 1st Law Clarified (RP3)

Apr 25, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   News in 2011, Radical Physics, RPn  //  1 Comment

This is the third taproot episode of Radical Physics. The “bad law of physics” in the title refers to a common misstatement of Newton’s first law of motion (N1).  Once inertia is properly understood, then the power, scope, and surprise of the real N1 can be appreciated.

She Has a Need for Speed (Relative to What?) (RP2a)

Apr 17, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

This is a “tendril” episode of Radical Physics’s second taproot program. It explores the deep ambiguity of this seemingly simple question: How fast are you going?

Speed in Physics – Meaning, Calculation, & Relativity: From Usain Bolt to Voyager (RP2)

Apr 17, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

The second taproot episode of Radical Physics is RP2 – Need for Speed: From Usain Bolt to Voyager. Here we explore speed, AND we lay a firm foundation for understanding relativity theory.

Deep Mysteries of Science: Not Taking the World for Granted (RP1a)

Apr 17, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  No Comments

Here is a video “tendril” of RP1, the first Radical Physics taproot episode. RP1a – Deep Mysteries: Not Taking the World for Granted presents some of reality’s most profound mysteries. Brace yourself for an exploration — or at least a listing — of the great unknowns!

Radical Physics Intro: God’s Thoughts & the Awesome Machinery of Nature (RP1)

Apr 17, 2012   //   by Tucker   //   Radical Physics, RPn  //  3 Comments

Wonderfest presents the first episode of Radical Physics (RP), RP1 – God’s Thoughts and the Awesome Machinery of Nature. This engaging introduction to physics reveals the power, scope, and beauty of humankind’s deepest understanding of nature. Please join me for a rewarding, mind-opening experience. As Jack Conte sings in the RP introduction: “See the universe through a brand new set of eyes.”  - Tucker Hiatt