How is your world powered by Physics?
Physics might appear to be confined to classrooms and textbooks, but it plays a crucial role in your daily routine. From the moment you wake up to when you go to bed, physics is constantly at work, enabling the world around you to function. Let’s look into how physics influences your daily routine and uncover the intriguing science behind everyday activities.
Waking Up with Physics
The sound of your alarm clock—vibrations of air molecules travelling as sound waves to your ears—is one of the first instances of physics you experience each day. As you get out of bed and stretch, your muscles generate forces to counteract gravity, demonstrating the principles of mechanics.
Consider your morning coffee: as water boils in the kettle, thermal energy transfers to water molecules, increasing their kinetic energy until they vaporize into steam. This process shows thermodynamics in action. Before your day fully begins, physics has already played a pivotal role (no pun intended).
The Physics of Video Games
Video games are among the most engaging and relatable examples of physics in action. Have you ever considered how characters jump, run, or collide in a virtual world? These movements seem realistic thanks to physics engines, which replicate the effects of gravity, momentum, and collisions.
Take a car racing game, for example. When your virtual car accelerates around a curve, the game calculates the forces acting on the vehicle, such as friction and centripetal force, to determine whether it maintains its course or veers off track. In platform games, the trajectory of a character’s jump adheres to the same principles of projectile motion that apply to a ball kicked through the air.
Physics engines also manage more subtle effects, such as how water ripples when disturbed or how objects shatter realistically. These simulations create immersive, believable environments, drawing players into virtual worlds that mirror the natural laws of our own.
Physics on the Move
When you leave the house, whether on a bike or by bus, physics continues to shape your journey. Cycling relies on Newton’s laws of motion: the force you exert on the pedals propels the bike forward, while angular momentum helps you maintain balance.
If you take the bus, the engine converts chemical energy from fuel into kinetic energy, propelling the vehicle forward. Friction between the tires and the road ensures stability, allowing the bus to stop safely when needed. Every movement is governed by the principles of energy and force.
Physics in Sports and Hobbies
Whether it’s football, dancing, skating or gaming, physics plays an essential role. Kicking a football demonstrates projectile motion; the ball’s trajectory depends on the force and angle of the kick. Skaters rely on angular momentum to control their spins, pulling their arms in to increase rotation speed.
Physics is also crucial in understanding how athletes optimize their performance. From the aerodynamics of a cyclist’s posture to the way swimmers reduce drag in water, every movement in sports is enhanced by applying physics principles. Without these insights, sports wouldn’t be as precise or competitive.
The Science of Sound and Music
Listening to music involves sound waves, which are created by vibrations and travel through the air to your ears. The frequency of these waves determines the pitch, while their amplitude affects the volume.
If you play an instrument, you generate sound waves by vibrating strings or air columns. These vibrations produce the rich tones and harmonies that make music so captivating. Physics transforms sound into an auditory experience.
The Physics Behind Your Smartphone
Smartphones are in intrinsic part of most people’s daily life and yet also use the principles of physics. They transmit and receive data through electromagnetic waves, enabling instant communication. The touch screen* converts the pressure of your finger into electrical signals, while the battery stores chemical energy to power the device.
The camera operates on the principles of optics—light passing through lenses is focused to capture clear images. Each swipe, tap, and photo relies on physics to function smoothly.
*You can find out more about how touch screens work by visiting the Institute of Physics: https://www.iop.org/explore-physics/physics-around-you/technology-our-lives/touchscreen
Light: The Ultimate Illuminator
Each time you turn on a light, which we all do on a routine basis, you complete an electrical circuit, allowing current to flow and illuminate the bulb. LED lights utilize semiconductor physics, making them energy-efficient and long-lasting.
Sunlight—another form of electromagnetic radiation—travels millions of kilometres to reach Earth, providing the energy necessary for life. Whether artificial or natural, light demonstrates the versatility and importance of physics.
Cooking with Physics
The kitchen is a laboratory of physics in action. Frying an egg involves thermal energy, which denatures proteins, causing them to solidify. Microwaving food uses electromagnetic waves to make water molecules vibrate, generating heat.
Even slicing vegetables involves physics: a sharp knife concentrates force over a smaller area, reducing the effort needed to cut through. Physics is an essential ingredient in every meal.
Embrace Physics Everywhere
Take a moment to recognize how physics enhances your daily life. This perspective may inspire you to explore more about the universe’s fascinating principles. Physics isn’t merely a subject—it’s a lens through which we can appreciate the complexity of the world.
Physics is more than a subject taught in schools; it forms the backbone of how the world functions. From your morning routine to your favorite activities, exploring the physics of everyday life unveils the complexity behind seemingly simple occurrences.