I like to ride my bicycle. I like to ride it well. I ride it to work whenever I can. I think this is a good thing and not one bad thing about it. However, occassionaly I will have someone in a car yell at me. It usually goes something like this:

“Get of the silly road you person”

But occasionally they will say things a little more colorful. But the question remains. Should I instead ride on the sidewalk?


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Tags: rant, bike, energy, momentum

So, you knew I was going to make some mistakes on the physics of scooting - right? I don't think these mistakes are major and they don't take away from the main idea. Read More...

Tags: forces, kinematics, modeling, momentum

There you are, in your rolling chair. You need that extra pencil, it is just a few feet away but out of reach. For some reason, you don't want to touch your feet to the floor. How do you get that pencil? You scoot. Still don't get it? Here is an example:

Why do people scoot? I don't know. My kids do it too. When does a human learn to scoot? How does a scoot work? Really, I am just going to answer that last question, but the others are interesting also. Read More...

Tags: forces, kinematics, modeling, momentum

Some time ago, I posted an analysis of the Ford F-150 commercial where the truck is shown to stop a landing C-123 Airplane. Apparently, this was quite popular and I received some useful and interesting feedback. From this, I have a few updates. Read More...

Tags: video, kinematics, forces, momentum

First, I am not really sure why Newton got to call this HIS law. Second, its not really a law. What happens if you don't obey this law? Would I go to physics jail? Ok, now for the good stuff. I am going to try to give a brief summary of Newton's 2nd law. Read More...

Tags: kinematics, momentum, forces

Clearly, I find some joy in analyzing these Ford commercials. In the latest release, a F150 is spun around in a homemade centrifuge. Yes, this is an awesome opportunity to discuss physics, but is that Ford's intent? Ford is clearly trying to get a message out with this. The following screen shot shows the real message:

See that at the bottom? Closed centrifuge. Do not attempt. Damn you Ford! Why must you ruin my fun? Why do you think I have a centrifuge (an open centrifuge, btw)? Well, I guess all that is left is for me to analyze this commercial. (you can see the whole behind the scenes here - http://www.fordvehicles.com/f150behindthescenes/) Read More...

Tags: video, circular motion, forces, momentum

Ford, why are you the way you are? Do you actually have people look at your commercials? Or do you just assume that you can say and show whatever you want and I will buy a truck? I am sorry, I shouldn't say that. I do enjoy analyzing your commercials - so, please continue.
Ford's latest F150 commercial shows a big thing dropping from a helicopter to the bed of an F150. The claim is that Ford is awesome. 30,000 lbs awesome. Let's check this out.
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Tags: video, modeling, momentum, forces, kinematics

Line Rider. Yes, its a game. Yes, I know its not real life. Nonetheless, I analyze what I see. How is the physics in line rider? Does it agree with Newtonian mechanics? What is the scale of the line rider? What other questions are there? What other questions are there? Read More...

Tags: forces, kinematics, momentum, energy

I am sure you have seen this commercial:

They say its a real demonstration, but it has seemed odd to me. (they also say this is a professional driver on a closed course and don't try this at home - damn! I was SO going to do that this weekend). Here is my analysis: Read More...

Tags: momentum, forces, kinematics