Smart car: Safe haven or death trap

Photo by nikiretro

The new smart car that has just recently been released has been flooding the market. With its five star crash safety rating and its highly efficient gas mileage there is no question to why it is such a attraction. Mercedes-Benz the owner of the smart car claims that they have conducted rigorous testing and believe the small compact car to be safe as any other car on the road. Many people however has scrutinized the idea of such a small car. They don't perceive the words small and safe can be placed in the same sentence. The smart car has a length of about 100 inches and weighing in at 730 kg  it comes to no surprise why some are concerned. Does physics support the claims of the scientists to the capability of the smart car? Do some research to find out the explanations of both sides of the argument. What do you think about the controversy? How does momentum play a role in the physics of keeping a driver safe? I'm looking forward to your responses.

A Physics to English Dictionary?

Photo by Horia Valran

Physics students will begin studying the concept of momentum this week in class. As I was collecting my thoughts about how I plan to introduce momentum, it occurred to me that we use the word momentum in regular (English) language. In physics, momentum is defined quantitatively as the product of mass and velocity. Dictionary.com defines momentum (in common language, at least) as "impetus, as of a physical objector course of events." These two definitions--the physics one and the English one--complement each other nicely. Just as in common usage, an object in physics with a lot of momentum will be difficult to stop!

Can you think of other physics words or terms that also appear in the common vernacular? Do these words have similar meanings, or are they considerably different? Please give specific examples in your comments.

A Second Sun for Earth?

An artist's idea of what this event could loook like from Earth

The star Betelgeuse has been making the news lately. Betelgeuse is a supergiant star with a mass more than 100,000 times that of the Sun and one of the brightest known starts in our galaxy. Because of its huge size, it is burning through its fuel at an incredible rate.

Betelgeuse is near the end of it's life for sure, and that end could come at any time. In fact, Betelgeuse is due to go supernova at any (astronomical) time. It's important to note that we're talking about astronomical time where 1,000 years is considered just the blink of an eye.

How would a Betelgeuse supernova affect the Earth? Do a little research online, and post your comments?

1. Where is Betelgeuse located in our sky?
2. What is a supernova?
3. Would it be visible from Earth?
4. Would it be harmful?
5. Why are some news stories calling it a potential "second sun?"