This is the area of the advanced stemNRICH site devoted to the core applied mathematics underlying the sciences.
An introduction to a useful tool to check the validity of an equation.
A look at the fluid mechanics questions that are raised by the Stonehenge 'bluestones'.
Estimate these curious quantities sufficiently accurately that you can rank them in order of size
See how the motion of the simple pendulum is not-so-simple after all.
Was it possible that this dangerous driving penalty was issued in error?
Given the equation for the path followed by the back wheel of a bike, can you solve to find the equation followed by the front wheel?
Look at the calculus behind the simple act of a car going over a step.
An article about the kind of maths a first year undergraduate in physics, engineering and other physical sciences courses might encounter. The aim is to highlight the link between particular maths. . . .
PhysNRICH is the area of the StemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of physics
Can you match up the entries from this table of units?
engNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH Advanced site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of engineering
Which parts of these framework bridges are in tension and which parts are in compression?
How do these modelling assumption affect the solutions?
This article, including exercises, gives a thorough grounding in the topic of AC/DC circuits.
At what positions and speeds can the bomb be dropped to destroy the dam?
Explore the voltages and currents in this interesting circuit configuration.
A look at a fluid mechanics technique called the Steady Flow Momentum Equation.
Have you got the Mach knack? Discover the mathematics behind exceeding the sound barrier.
Explore the power of aeroplanes, spaceships and horses.
Things are roughened up and friction is now added to the approximate simple pendulum
Explore the mathematics behind the famous Wheatstone Bridge circuit.
What is an AC voltage? How much power does an AC power source supply?
Show that even a very powerful spaceship would eventually run out of overtaking power
This short question asks if you can work out the most precarious way to balance four tiles.
Given the graph of a supply network and the maximum capacity for flow in each section find the maximum flow across the network.
Put your complex numbers and calculus to the test with this impedance calculation.
This is the technology section of stemNRICH - Core.
A preview of some of the beam deflection mechanics you will look at in the first year of an engineering degree
Derive Euler's buckling formula from first principles.
In an extension to the Stonehenge problem, consider the mechanical possibilities for an arrangement of frictional rollers.
Prove that you can make any type of logic gate using just NAND gates.
As a capacitor discharges, its charge changes continuously. Find the differential equation governing this variation.
Bricks are 20cm long and 10cm high. How high could an arch be built without mortar on a flat horizontal surface, to overhang by 1 metre? How big an overhang is it possible to make like this?
Can you work out which of the equations models a bouncing bomb? Will you be able to hit the target?
In this short problem we investigate the tensions and compressions in a framework made from springs and ropes.
A series of activities to build up intuition on the mathematics of friction.
Explain why, when moving heavy objects on rollers, the object moves twice as fast as the rollers. Try a similar experiment yourself.
Doug has just finished the first year of his undergraduate engineering course at Cambridge University. Here he gives his perspectives on engineering.
Can you think like a computer and work out what this flow diagram does?