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Physics Go Out to Sea
Story by Theresa Glielissen
In hopes of receiving extra credit, 18 Accelerated Physics students used their knowledge of buoyancy to create and race cardboard boats across the PHS pool.
To get the extra credit, their boats had to last for 100 yd., which is four lengths in the PHS pool. The fastest three times would earn the extra credit. The students only had five days to work on their boats and had to be ready to race by March 2.
“The majority of the boats either flip of fall apart in the first 25 yards,” commented science teacher Paul Krzyzaniak.
This project is particularly difficult since the students are only allowed to use one 60 ft. roll of duct tape and a limited amount of cardboard. Students who choose to work with a partner are supplied with thicker cardboard than those who worked alone.
The amount and type of cardboard available, “varies depending on what we get donated from Sargento,” said Krzyzaniak.
Senior Todd Nelson won the race with a time of about four and a half minutes.
“I thought about what design would eliminate unnecessary seams and maximize the volume the buoyant force could act on,” said Nelson.
“Even though his boat filled up with water, he never tipped it,” said Krzyzaniak, commenting on Nelson.
Nelson was the only student who made it through all 100 yards of the race, winning the 10 points of extra credit. Since no other students finished the race, no one else earned any extra credit.
Senior David Diebels, who was partnered with junior Corey Rhyan, said, “We double reinforced all the points of direct force from the water and double taped the few seams not solid cardboard. We also tried to disperse the weight on the whole surface on the boat. It didn’t leak, but it did flip.”
If he could redo the project, senior Adam Doebert stated he would, “thicken my cardboard to increase its strength so it would not crumble underneath me when I stepped in, unlike what happened during my run.”
“It’s fun to see students do something that is out of their element,” stated Krzyzaniak, “This wasn’t just book work.” |
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