Reviewed by David Tumbarello
Middle School Teacher
Set in the basement of an enthusiastic physics whiz, this informative video introduces older students to the essential concepts of sound, magnetism, electricity, and radioactivity. With the aid of common household items, the young host clearly demonstrates how the rules of physics plays a role in our everyday lives. For example, he demonstrates sound waves with the help of a drum kit and a slinky. He explains electromagnetism with a chopstick, copper wire, and a battery.
He doesn't stop with the basics. His lessons include supporting details such as the right hand rule and the alignment of tiny magnets within the atoms of various different metals. But the lesson doesn't stop with illustrations. The host shows the mathematical formulas that are used in physics to explain these concepts, such as the formula for an electromagnet or the formula for exponential decay of carbon isotopes. Like the science taught in our classrooms, the host uses rich examples to introduce and explain formulas and rules that explain the concept.
This advanced introduction to sound, magnetism, electricity, and radioactivity succeeds because of high interest examples. After all, if students are to learn how Carbon 14 dating and the formula of exponential decay can be used to determine the age of dinosaur bones, they would certainly enjoy learning from a video such as this.
Review posted on 1/16/2013
|