Shaylyn Robison

Physics Project

Part 1: Star Identification
Figure 1: Star Table

Figure 2: Labeled Star Picture

Part 2: Equations

Equation 1: E=mc²

Question 1:E is the energy that any mass has while at rest.

m stands for mass.

c is the speed of light.

E and m are variables and c is a constant.

Question 2: c²= 931 MeV

Question 3:Yes. Mass is a property of energy, and energy is a property of mass. They are related through the constant “c”.

Question 4:I think it is false. Mass cannot be converted into energy because it is conserved due to that it is a property of energy. This follows along the lines that energy cannot be destroyed or created; it can only transfer or transform.

Equation 2: d=gt²/2

Question 5:I agree with statement b “Objects fall at the same speed (if no air resistance) and weight doesn’t matter.”In d=gt²/2, there are no variables or constants for mass or weight. Objects of two different weights or mass would fall at the same speed if air resistance is neglected. G is not a measure of weight but rather a constant value of acceleration of gravity due to the Earth’s surface.

Equation 3: v=gt

Question 6:I agree with statement d “Objects fall at the same speed (if no air resistance) and weight doesn’t matter.”This equation is similar to the previous equation (d=gt²/2) in regards to the fact that mass or weight is not a constant or variable in the equation v=gt. If there is no air resistance, the velocity of two objects would equal each other.

Question 7: In a vacuum, with no air resistance, heavy objects and lighter objects fall at the same rate. This was demonstrated on the YouTube video “The Hammer and the Feather”. There is no air resistance, or other, similar force, on the moon; the conditions are the same as a vacuum. I think it took us so long to realize this because when objects are dropped here on Earth, they are subjected to air resistance, and the heavier object falls faster than a lighter object when dropped from the same height. So, unless the objects are in a vacuum or on the moon or in another place were air resistance does not act on them, the heavier object will always fall faster than the lighter object.

Question 8: Inertia is the physical property of mass that attributes to the difference in applied forces. Inertia is the property of objects to resist changes in motion (i.e. acceleration).

Equation 4: e=1-T(cold)/T(hot)

Question 9:Yes, it is possible in theory to achieve 100% efficiency if you were to the lower the temperature of the area surrounding the heat engine to 0 degrees Kelvin. If the energy did not transform to thermal energy and escape through exhaust gases, it would be possible in practice, and not just in theory, to have a 100% efficient engine.

Question 10:No, because it would require more energy to lower the temperature of the environment surrounding the heat engine. This energy would then be released into heat in some form, one way or another.

Question 11:Yes, it is possible in theory to achieve 100% efficiency by raising the temperature (Thot)of the heat engine. This can be explained by the first law of thermodynamics:Heat added to a system equals the sum of the increased internal energy and the external work done by the system.The increased internal energy would be due to the temperature increase of the heat engine and the external work output done by the system would be considered efficiency. But, in order for the engine to be 100%, the heat and energy that escapes the engine/system would have to be collected and reused somehow.

Question 12:No, it is not possible to build a car with a fuel-burning engine and have the engine be 100% efficient. I think this is due to the fact that the fuel source, when burned, releases energy in the form of heat. The loss of this energy would make it so that the engine would not be 100% efficient.

Part 3: Learning About a Law of Physics
Bernoulli’s Principle states that
Where the speed of a fluid increases, internal pressure in the fluid decreases.
When the surrounding area where a fluid is passing through decreases in size, it is evident that the fluid’s speed is increasing and the pressure of the fluid is decreased. It can be seen that the pressure of the fluid is decreased by observing the air bubbles in a fluid flowing through a pipe.
When the fluid’s movement is increased, the air bubbles are bigger. When the fluid’s movement is decreased, the air bubbles are smaller because of the pressure of the surrounding fluid pressing down on the bubbles.
The following three examples are examples of real world applications of Bernoulli’s Principle.
Water under the Bridge
A continuous stream will move faster when it travels under a bridge than when it is following a natural course in the stream bed. This is due to the streamlines (which are not visible) that become closer together in narrower areas, such as under a bridge or in a pipe. When the streamlines are closer together, the fluid is traveling faster. /

Shower Curtain

When the water is on in a shower with the shower curtain closed, the curtain will move towards the water. The pressure inside the shower is reduced when the water turns on, while the pressure outside the shower remains the same. The pressure outside of the shower presses on the shower curtain, causing it to move inward.

Ping-pong ball and Funnel

If you take a ping pong ball, place it into the opening of the small plastic funnel and blow through the end, the ball will not move out of the funnel. This is due to the lower pressure in the funnel versus the higher pressure on the other side of the ball outside of the funnel. The air outside of the funnel is pressing down on the ball and causing it to remain in the funnel. This pressure difference allows the ping-pong ball to resist gravity and “float” in the funnel when turned upside down while blowing air in the tube.

If you take the same ping pong ball and funnel and use a vacuum to blow air into the small end of the funnel, the ping pong ball will still remain in the funnel. By using a vacuum to blow air into the funnel, the air pressure outside of the funnel is greater than the pressure inside the funnel below the ping pong ball. Both tries of blowing the ping pong out of the funnel are examples of Bernoulli’s principle.

Part 4: Explanation of Fermi’s Paradox and possible resolution

A paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory but may also state a possible truth. A paradox can also be any person, thing or situation that exhibits a contradictory nature. A resolution is the act or process of resolving (act of coming to a determination or to make up one’s mind) or separating into constituent or elementary parts.

Fermi’s Paradox

Fermi’s Paradox is the contradictory situation between the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence of, or contact with, such civilizations or intelligent life.

Fermi’s Paradox is a paradox due to the lack of evidence supporting the existence of an extraterrestrial civilization. There are no artifacts, communications or sightings to prove that there is extraterrestrial life. Yet it is saidthereis, orcould be, intelligent life; it just needs to be found.

Four Possible Resolutions

1. Technology and Exploring Space

Explore space further.

By using technology and physically exploring space, we could search for them and find evidence to show they exist. In order to do so we would need advancement in our current technology. If we continue to develop technology in regards to space travel and space missions, we could explore space in less time and may be able to debunk the Fermi’s paradox or prove it true by finding evidence of intelligent life. Current technology is limited to space probes, satellites and telescopes. If there is intelligent life forms, it would be helpful to have astronauts be visiting other galaxies in order to find evidence of such life forms.

2. Finish Genome Project

Are we related to past extraterrestrial civilizations?

By studying our genes, we can currently see similarities between us and animal species. If we continue studying our genome, we may come to the conclusion that we evolved from another species such as an extraterrestrial species. To support such a conclusion, evidence of a previous alien species would need to be discovered and studied. Archeologists, geneticists and space scientists would need to collaborate more closely in over to find that evidence.

3. Communications through Space

Are you there? It’s us, humans.

If there are extraterrestrial civilizations out there, we can continue to send transmissions of communication in hope that they will receive it. If we keep trying, and there are extraterrestrial civilizations in existence, then they may communicate back if they have the technology.

Which brings up my next point: If they exist and are intelligent and do have the technology, there could be a logical explanation why they haven’t contacted us.

4. Stop Asking Questions

Accept what may or may not exist.

We have lived our lives without them directly involved before. I am sure that if there is extraterrestrial life, and they are intelligent and have the technology to communicate with us, they are not involving themselves with our species for a good reason. I believe that if such an extraterrestrial species exists, then they are not communicating with us for a reason. I think that if they are dangerous to us, we would have realized the danger long ago. And if they attack us for resources (oh, say, like in the movieWar of the Worlds), then we deal with the situation then. If we know of an extraterrestrial species, we should probably leave them be.