Energy

  • Pole vaulting
    problem

    Pole vaulting

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Consider the mechanics of pole vaulting
  • Sweeping Satellite
    problem

    Sweeping satellite

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Derive an equation which describes satellite dynamics.
  • The ultra particle
    problem

    The ultra particle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Explore the energy of this incredibly energetic particle which struck Earth on October 15th 1991
  • Lennard Jones potential
    problem

    Lennard Jones potential

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Investigate why the Lennard-Jones potential gives a good approximate explanation for the behaviour of atoms at close ranges

  • Go spaceship go
    problem

    Go spaceship go

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Show that even a very powerful spaceship would eventually run out of overtaking power
  • Escape from planet Earth
    problem

    Escape from planet earth

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    How fast would you have to throw a ball upwards so that it would never land?
  • Whoosh
    problem

    Whoosh

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A ball whooshes down a slide and hits another ball which flies off the slide horizontally as a projectile. How far does it go?
  • Lunar Leaper
    problem

    Lunar leaper

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Gravity on the Moon is about 1/6th that on the Earth. A pole-vaulter 2 metres tall can clear a 5 metres pole on the Earth. How high a pole could he clear on the Moon?
  • High Jumping
    article

    High jumping

    How high can a high jumper jump? How can a high jumper jump higher without jumping higher? Read on...