Summer School 2007

House Physics

    If you look around your house, you will find many things that relate to physics. From the toaster to the toilet, physics is used to understand and design many of the appliances in your home. 

    By choosing one of the following sites, you can find information about many appliances in your home. You may also wish to use google search (web or image) to find other sites. 

1.    Choose  one room in your house and select 3 objects in that room to investigate. Use the following sites (or find your own) to find information showing how physics is used in these objects. For example, in the bathroom, choose toilet, shower, and hair dryer. Make a table showing the topics in physics that are related to each object. 

2. For one of the objects, make or copy a drawing showing the parts of the object. Make a table showing the name of each part and its function.

3. Choose one of the objects and write a paragraph describing how a specific physics topic is related to its operation. Do a sample problem using the physics equation that relates to it.   

4. Use a digital camera to take a picture of your 3 objects. If possible take a picture of the component parts of one of your objects. For example, look in the tank of a toilet, look in the basement or under the cabinet at the drain for the sink, look at the back of your refrigerator, or remove the cover on the thermostat.

Appliances

Around the house