Topics for my physics project

[BLaCk_1cE]

So I have a physics project to do, and the topic is anything going on in "modern" physics. I cant really think of any good ideas. I know one other guy in the class is doing his on fusion, so its topics like that. Its to be done on a poster so it has to be broad enough for a poster, but narrow enough to fit on the poster.

Im looking for something that it interesting and not to crazy, keep in mind its a physics 1 class (meaning nothing like explaining the complex math behind quantum mechanics)

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[tpunx99GSX]

So i guess the large halidron collider is out of the question?

[BLaCk_1cE]

No that isnt out of the question, i just thought there may be other people doing that since it seems to be the first thing most people probably think of doing a project on. Ill keep it in mind though still as a potential topic.

[tpunx99GSX]

What about Nanotechnology being used in Propulsion and other uses. Im sure you can take a physics aspect. NanoTech is always a good topic. I did a report on Nanotech back when i was in college and nanotech was still very new. I used it for a report for my emerging technologies course.

[awd-drifter]

motion? i would've loved to have gone into this field but the math is too much. lol. what about like Force? like creating G's on acceleration or turns? i dont even know if that is close to physics.......

[Super Bleeder!!]

What about mass motion within a cylinder during a 4stroke combustion cycle?

[SnoEclipse]

volumetric efficiency of same-said engine.......

[Matt D.]

What about the feasibility of an ion engine in space? Say, compared to a solid or liquid fuel rocket/thruster. I don't know how technical you can or need to get, but the big difference up front is ion engines are low power output but long duration and solid fuel engines are high power output but short duration. Should be able to explain that in simple physics.

[SnoEclipse]

how about improving the efficiency of an engine/tranny by reducing the rotating weight. Lighter flywheels & pulleys come to mind but so do wheels, half-shafts, pistons, etc.

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

What about the feasibility of an ion engine in space? Say, compared to a solid or liquid fuel rocket/thruster. I don't know how technical you can or need to get, but the big difference up front is ion engines are low power output but long duration and solid fuel engines are high power output but short duration. Should be able to explain that in simple physics.

Star wars T.I.E. fighter (Twin Ion Engine)
Ion Engines are already used in todays exploration satallites for long distances. But in the case of star wars, the ion engines would be the worst thing for a fighter engine for deep space combat.

[scheides]

I have a degree in physics so maybe I can offer some ideas:

-rotational enertia: engines, wheels, other spinning parts on vehicles--how do they affect the stability?
-car modding 101: how much force is generated from a stock car to propel it from a stop to 100mph in x seconds, then modding that car (+100hp or somethign) drops the 0-100mph time to x - n seconds. Tons of directions to go here. Start with how much additional force needs to be generated to drop the time by a second, then two seconds, etc. Try and equate that back into horsepower based on practical real-world results found on the internet or your personal testing (hint: we have a dyno locally, and you could see how much power your car makes at different boost levels, then do different 0-100 runs )

real world shit like that always blows profs away and people love it. I did a whole project once on the amount of force was placed on the a skier's leg bones while jumping from 5-10-20-30-40 feet and landing at various angles. It was easy as hell and I got an A+ on it. My prof new I was into skiing, which goes back to the real-world stuff I mentioned above.