Sci-fi Machines

Introduction

Time travel cars,  toy rockets, laser guns, spaceships, satellites,  and washing machines. Even though some of these inventions are from beloved science fiction stories and other real-life objects, they all have in common one thing: Physics!

In this expedition, we will explore an array of various inventions (real and fiction) as well as the science behind them.  As the expedition progresses, you will gain the ability to inquire and research the topics that are most interesting to you. With that knowledge, you will design our very own machine and explain the science behind it!

Important Information: This expedition is the Cycle 2 Physics Pathway expedition option

Essential Questions

• How do we model the motion of objects in space? Why do we observe this motion?

• When an object is free to move in more than one direction, how is its motion modeled?

• How do fluid particles interact and how do we model their movements?

• Why are orbits designed with different Keplarian elements? How do these affect the usability of these orbits?

• How can the laws of physics help explain the functioning of everyday items and machines?

• In what way do science fiction machines reflect actual scientific knowledge in Physics?

Learning Objectives

• Describe multidimensional forces and motion using vectors.

• Review and describe the motion of objects in terms of vector and scalar quantities: speed, acceleration, velocity, distance, and displacement.

• Explore and understand concepts and principles like the Law of Universal Gravitation, general relativity, projectile motion, basic fluid mechanics, and orbital mechanics and how they relate to fictional or real-life applications. 

• Apply simple algebraic principles to describe and represent the scientific concepts explored

• Explore, understand, analyze, and apply knowledge about a concept of interest to the concept design of a machine.