Daniel Bernoulli was a Swiss mathematician and physicist in the mid-1700s. He excelled in the fields of statistics and probability, but also was influential in applying mathematics to physical mechanics. Particularly, he is known for his work in fluid dynamics, now known as Bernoulli’s Principle. Most simply, Bernoulli’s Principle is a derivation of the conservation
Read moreThe Physics Behind Curveballs
With the MLB All-Star Game happening, you might be wondering how curveballs and other pitches actually work. Well wonder no longer because Derrick has the answer for you! It all has to do with the 216 raised red stitches altering the airflow around the ball. If the ball leaves the pitcher’s hands spinning counterclockwise like
Read moreBernoulli's Principle Will Leave You Breathless!
What sorcery is this!? Science it turns out! This is a great example of Bernoulli’s Principle! In short, this states that moving air has a lower pressure. Imagine trying to dig a hole in a pool of water: as soon as some of the water gets moved out of the way, the surrounding water rushes
Read moreLevitate a Soda Can
Did you know that Bernoulli’s principle is a statement of conservation of energy? The sum of kinetic and potential energy is constant in every closed system. In fluid dynamics, potential energy is an expression of the pressure within a volume of liquid or gas. When a fluid moves faster (its kinetic energy increases), pressure (potential
Read moreBernoulli’s principle: Supercells & Airplanes
In strong supercell thunderstorms, wind moves upwards at over 90mph. Fast-moving air creates an area of low pressure, or a partial vacuum. Nature abhors a vacuum, so nearby air rushes in to join the updraft. This skyward flow can be powerful enough to suspend grapefruit-sized hail. The tendency of a speeding air current to
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