🚀 go-pugleaf

Given the season, this posting is probably too late to help out this
year.  However, I just got it together and thought it might be of
interest to some folks.  <<Joe>>

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             Joseph F. McLaughlin, Physics
   Brentwood High School,  Brentwood (Pittsburgh), PA
johnmcl+@pitt.edu (Pitt got it wrong- it's Joe, not John!)
           (formerly jxm39@psuvm.psu.edu)



Joseph F. McLaughlin                                    Page 1
Brentwood H.S.
3601 Brownsville Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
johnmcl+@pitt.edu

        My students and I have participated in the Kennywood Park Physics
Day since its beginning in 1988.  Year after year they go with great
enthusiasm and work hard to complete their test.  They have fun in the
process and likely leave with one of the most unique memories of high school.

        The work completed there is graded as a test (about 80 points in
a quarter that would typically total 500 points.)  Of particular
importance is the experience in estimation that it provides.  Estimation
is a skill requiring much practice, something that, I feel, is often
ignored in both science and math classes.

        This is why I stress the two sets of Fermi questions.  The first
set, completed on school grounds in the weeks before KPPD, is listed
below.  The second set is included with the test packet mailed by
Kennywood Park.  In both cases the work is a combination of group and
individual effort.  Practice is essential if students are to benefit from
the experience; it also goes a long way in building up anticipation and
excitement for the big day.

        Kennywood Park Physics Day is typically half work and half play
for the students.  The overall experience, however, is definitely "solid
physics."

          We arrive at KP early, allowing them time to get the Fermi
exercises organized.  All tests are due by the time we board the bus.  A
format is specified which includes signatures by all students on all
"group effort" pages.

        I would enjoy hearing from you about your ideas.  I have heard
that many such events are scheduled throughout the country including
Hershey Park and some Six Flags parks.  Call, email, or write me, or just
stop by the cafteria patio at Kennywood Park and say hi.  I'm easy to
spot- my feet are up on the railing and I'm eating bon-bons!

KPPD Exercises                                          Page 2
These exercises are completed 2-3 weeks in advance.  They are done as
group work and graded as an assignment.

FORMAT OF A JUSTIFICATION  (Fermi Question)
I. TITLE/QUESTIONS:
        -- Ask at least 3 different questions.
        -- At least 2 of the questions must involve math and unit checks.
        -- At least one of the questions must involve physics.
II. ASSUMPTIONS  (be descriptive)
III. DATA   (include sketches if applicable)
IV. ESTIMATIONS.
        -- Use sketches where they apply.
        -- Use only metrics.
        -- Give your best answer  (show all unit checks)

I. SWIMMING POOL
a.   Estimate the amount of water in the pool in ml. by pacing off the
dimensions in meters.
b.   If every resident uses 100 gallons of water daily and 1 gallon = 4E3
ml, calculate how many pools of water Brentwood uses in one year. Assume
the population of Brentwood to be 13,000.
c.   The heat of vaporization of water is 2.26 E6 joules/kg, how much
energy would be required to evaporate one pool of water?  Also give the
answer in gallons of gasoline, where 1 gal= 1E8 joules.


II. FLAGPOLE
In the first 50 years of BHS the flag was raised every morning.
a.   Estimate the height of the flagpole using your HED (height
estimation device). How many kilometers have the flags traveled?
b.   Assume that the biophysical unit (person) raising the flag is 10%
efficient. Assume that the rope system is 25% efficient. If 1 calorie =
4.19 joules, how many calories have those people burned raising the flag?
c.   If a donut has 250 calories, how many donuts worth of calories did
they use?

III. BROWNSVILLE ROAD TRAFFIC
a.   Using a maximum of 15 minutes, calculate the number of vehicles
which travel past the main intersection at the park during a 24 hr period.
b.   Calculate how many people pass through the intersection in a day.
c.   Estimate the average mass of the vehicles where 1E3 kg= 2.2 tons.
Assume that vehicles accelerate uniformly from rest to the legal speed.
What is the total amount work in joules done by all of the vehicles that
pass through the intersection in one average day's time?
(#mi/hr)*(0.447)= m/s

IV. ASPHALT
a.   The maintenance supervisor must repave the asphalt driveway by the
Superintendent's office from the street to the end of the area under the
cafeteria. Calculate the number of 50 lb. bags of asphalt he must

                                                        Page 3

purchase. Each bag measures about 80cmx50cmx10cm. How many bags must he
purchase to pave these 2 areas?
b.   What is the mass of this asphalt? How many newtons does it weigh?
c.   How much energy was required to lift this asphalt onto the truck?
Convert to calories and donuts as in II b. and c. above.

V. BRICK WALLS
a.  Estimate the number of bricks on the front wall of the old building.
b.  If each brick weighs about  5.5  pounds, what is the total potential
energy stored in the bricks?
c.  Convert to calories and donuts as in II b. and c. above.


VI. ORIGINAL PROBLEM DESIGN
DIRECTIONS: design an original problem. Use any aspect of the area around
the school. The more imaginative, the better. Follow the format for a
justification given above.

TEST ASSIGNMENTS                                        Page 4

I. FERMI QUESTIONS:  complete all as a group.

II. RIDE QUESTION: Choose 2 of the following, complete with group:
Turnpike, Jack Rabbit, Whip,  Wonder Wheel, Raging Rapids, Thunderbolt,
Steel Phantom, Noah's Ark, Enterprise, Pirate Ship, Rotor, Gran Prix,
Battle of Coasters

III. ORIGINAL PROBLEM: complete individually, submit with group.

Directions: This page must be done individually, with no help from
others. Using the space below (and back if needed), design an original
problem. Use any aspect of the park: a ride, a concession stand, an
activity, etc. The more imaginative it is, the better. Follow the format
for a justification.

FINAL HAND-IN:

-- Due as you board the bus (but better earlier).

--- Fermi and Ride questions: 1 copy of each page/group,  plus team set
of individual original problems.


--- EACH PAGE (excl individual original problem) MUST BE SIGNED BY EACH
GROUP MEMBER.  If the group fails to do so, it will be assumed that not
all members were involved in preparing it.  This may result in a
substantial loss of points.