Helpmyphysics

It is impossible to measure the speed of an object at an instant.
It is only possible to find the object’s speed over a small distance and time.
This is achieved using a light gate and a thin card of length say 10 cm.
When the card interrupts the light beam it turns off a light sensor and starts an electronic timer.
The timer stops when the card passes the light beam and the sensor picks up the light signal again.

The near instantaneous speed is calculated by:

Click the above picture for information on how astronomers detect exoplanets.
Exoplanets are planets orbiting a star outside our solar system.

The spacecraft Juno entered into orbit around the the giant planet Jupiter today.
Find out more from this slide show.

Coding has been getting big exposure lately. Using it to model physics situations not only helps you with coding but helps you really master those kinematic equations.

Click on the picture above to see a clearer image of the constellation Gemini with the king planet Jupiter.
This picture was taken on Friday 13th December 2013 around 2300 hours using my small Panasonic Digital camera set to night sky mode.

Now compare this star chart from the fabulous Heavens Above site

Gemini Star Chart

Here is a little podcast you can download to find out about the story of the atom.
The amazing discoveries and investigations that lead to our knowledge of the atom.

Listen to the story here

Just over forty three years ago, just as this picture was taken, a bleary eyed wee boy was thrilled to the limit watching those grey tv pictures of men walking on the moon.

It is a moment in history that is forever etched into my memory. As I `ve said before in these pages I am eternally grateful to my father for getting me up that wonderful July morning to witness history being made.

Tonight I learned of the death of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

Neil Armstrong… God`s speed to you!

A painting of Professor Peter Higgs at the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
I think they will need to update the small caption pretty soon as it tells us the Higgs particle is still to be found.