Forces

  • \Little little g
    problem

    Little little g

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    See how little g and your weight varies around the world. Did this variation help Bob Beamon to long-jumping succes in 1968?
  • Uniformly unstable
    problem

    Uniformly unstable

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Invent shapes with different numbers of stable and unstable equilibrium points
  • Building up friction
    problem
    Favourite

    Building up friction

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    A series of activities to build up intuition on the mathematics of friction.
  • Cannon Balls
    problem
    Favourite

    Cannon balls

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    How high will a ball taking a million seconds to fall travel?
  • More bridge building
    problem
    Favourite

    More bridge building

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Which parts of these framework bridges are in tension and which parts are in compression?
  • Bridge builder
    problem
    Favourite

    Bridge builder

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    In this short problem we investigate the tensions and compressions in a framework made from springs and ropes.
  • Whirlyball
    problem
    Favourite

    Whirlyball

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Whirl a conker around in a horizontal circle on a piece of string. What is the smallest angular speed with which it can whirl?
  • Lunar Leaper
    problem
    Favourite

    Lunar leaper

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Gravity on the Moon is about 1/6th that on the Earth. A pole-vaulter 2 metres tall can clear a 5 metres pole on the Earth. How high a pole could he clear on the Moon?
  • Baked Bean Cans
    problem

    Baked bean cans

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Is there a best way to stack cans? What do different supermarkets do? How high can you safely stack the cans?