PH231

Course Syllabus (Spring 2008)

Course Schedule (Spring 2008)

"Physics?" in Cartoons and Movies

Have you ever watched a cartoon or movie and said "that would never happen?" By making this statement you have compared what you have seen to what you know about our universe, but cartoons and movies do not use the rules of our universe. This course will give you a chance to discover and derive the physical rules used in cartoons like the Road Runner or in The Matrix movies. In a fashion similar to Galileo’s experiments you will gather and analyze data to determine the rules of the cartoon and movie universes. Based on your studies you might derive your own theories of motion to explain why the coyote pauses before falling or develop a quantum theory to explain why the Road Runner has the distinct ability to tunnel through solid matter. This will be an inquiry-based, project-driven course supported by group analysis of cartoons and movies.

Course Objectives

1. Use software to analyze objects in motion (to include scenes where the camera pans, zooms, or involves slow motion)
2. Develop mathematical descriptions using data and observations
3. Communicate scientific information in both verbal and written forms
4. Learn physics principles while having fun.
5. Enhance inquiry skills.