Helpmyphysics

Today sees saw the launch of the last space shuttle. For thirty years this space craft has brought us joy and sadness. I can remember the first launch way back in 1981. I was thrilled as a physics undergraduate to see this new era of space exploration happening, especially when the astronauts carried out physics experiments in space and showed us the Earth in all its glory using modern tv and video.

There was the fantastic rescue of the Hubble Space Telescope but also the dire sadness of the two disasters.

The Challenger disaster of January 1986 was particularly sad because of the loss of the first school teacher on board Christine McAuliffe.

In 2003 a faulty tile caused the disaster of Columbia as it returned to Earth. In all fourteen astronauts lost their lives in the shuttle program.

Here is a link to a wonderful documentary on the space shuttle`s history.

Farewell Space shuttle and God`s speed on your final return.

Info Graphic on the Shuttle

Hi physics lovers! Here are some physics tricks you can try out during the summer holidays.
These tricks use physics and are part of a physics roadshow. You can try them out in the house and have some fun.
Take also a look at the best ever comedian that ever lived, the one and only Tommy Cooper.

Physics Tricks
Tommy Cooper

Teaching is a hard job but when your job is to teach physics to the young students above from Saint Andrew`s High Coatbridge, then your job becomes a pleasure.
The students pictured above are my higher physics class who will be sitting their Higher Physics exam tomorrow afternoon.

I wish them all the very best because they have worked hard all year despite the loss of time due to the bad weather (remember those days).
So to my Higher Physics Class 2010-11, one of the best classes I`ve taught, all the best and I will be thinking about you tomorrow.

Mr Mallon

Hi physics lovers click this link to get your half dozen questions to revise.

Revision here

Go on give it a go!

Q6 Video

Q7 Video

Q9 video

Answers to Get Fit for Physics Higher

Get Fit Physics Spring Break Revision

Hi Physics lovers! Click below to try the wonderful PhET simulation on the photoelectric effect.
Carry out the experiment and see if you can answer these questions.

1. Find the threshold frequency for each of the metals in the simulation
2. Does an increase in the irradiance (intensity in the simulation) have any effect on the maximum kinetic energy of each ejected electron?

Click to Run

Have some fun.

Hi Physics lovers.
Check out the wonderful PhET site`s sound interference simulation by clicking the picture below.
Follow these instructions:

1. Click the tab called Two source interference
2. Set the frequency of the sound to 200Hz and enable sound
3. Move the man`s head about and listen for maximum and minimum sounds
4. Find a maximum and determine whether changing the frequency will change the position of the maximum sound

Click to Run