Classical Physics Term Paper

Hi, you should be familiar with applying classical physics concepts and formulas like newton’s law, force, kinematics, collisions, rotation, etc. You have to display an understanding of the concepts learned in a college-level classical physics course often take in the first semester, you will probably have to use and apply formulas, depending upon the topic you choose from below. It has to be at least two pages long, there is no font size (not too small) you can use figures, depends on the topic you choose. I can upload lecture slides which might be helpful depending upon the topic you choose. A rubric is also given below.

Term Paper

The purpose of the term paper is to test your understanding of this course in general and the ability to apply it to real-life examples. Please write the term paper up to 2 pages with at most 1 figure. And upload it in pdf or word formats.

Grading standards:
Scientific correctness: 6 pt
The novelty of ideas: 2 pt
Presentation (text and figure): 2 pt

You can choose one of the following term paper topics.

Topic: Show an example of conservation of momentum or angular momentum around you. Explain the physics and discuss what happens if conservation is (hypothetically) violated in this example.

Topic: Show an example of the conservation of energy (kinetic and potential) around you. Explain the physics and discuss what happens if conservation is (hypothetically) violated in this example.

Topic: Show an example of centrifugal acceleration around you. Explain the physics and discuss a potential application of it.

Topic: Show an example of the use of friction around you. Do you want the friction to be bigger or smaller in this example? Discuss the strategies that you can use to achieve the desired amount of friction in this example.

Topic: You are the chief designer for a hyperloop system connecting Los Angeles and New York non-stop! Assuming that we are limiting acceleration to be below 1g for safety. Draw a sketch of your proposed design, explain the operation of your hyperloop, state the potential challenges in construction/operation, and discuss potential solutions.

Topic: Draw a sketch of a mechanical gyroscope (any type as long as it is mechanical). Explain how it works. And discuss what you can do to improve its accuracy.

Topic: Following the examples of p = mv and K = 1/2 m v^2, let’s define a new quantity X = 1/3 m v^3, where X is a vector whose direction is the same as v. Will there be a conservation law related to this new vector X? Explain.

Topic: You would like to design a rocket to send 1 kg of load to the international space station from Cape Canaveral. For simplicity, use a solid-propellant rocket and use the ammonium perchlorate as rocket fuel. Draw a sketch of your rocket design, describe it (weight, fuel volume etc), and explain how it works.