Ideal Gas Laws, Particle Physics, and Newspaper Engineering @ Wohl Reach Out Lab, Imperial College London

Just taking a quick side step from the world of biotribology to share some fantastic fundamental science that I wish I learned in high school and undergraduate engineering. If anyone is looking to recreate these demos/experiments at home or in the classroom please reach-out to me and I will be happy to assist. 

3 great experiments I wish I did when I was in school!

3 great experiments I wish I did when I was in school!

Ideal Gas Laws: Students learned that as you add volume to a fixed container (glass flask) the pressure increases, and it does so linearly. This is the fundamental study conducted by Boyle more than 300 years ago. See attached slides. *You will notice one of the data sets has a smaller slope than the other three (there is a very good reason for this that we can discuss offline). 

Particle Physics: Students rolled marbles at an object hidden under a cardboard box to determine its size and shape. Rutherford used a similar approach with atomic particles ~100 years ago. 

News Paper Engineering: Students learned the power of geometry when it comes to mechanics. Paper is quite stiff in tension but buckles easily under compression until you provide it with bending resistance. This resistance comes from the geometry of the folded/rolled paper. See attached slides. This activity includes concepts of design, engineering, and project estimation.