Physics for Kids - Book/DVD?

[fd_colorado]

Just in case this hasn't been done before...what about somebody doing a book or dvd using the pool table as the physics classroom?

Geared towards kids this could be a great way to get young people interested in pool and possibly help get pool into schools.

 

[dr_dave]

Just in case this hasn't been done before...what about somebody doing a book or dvd using the pool table as the physics classroom?

Geared towards kids this could be a great way to get young people interested in pool and possibly help get pool into schools.

That's a great idea. I think the Billiards Education Foundation (BEF) is working on something like this. I certainly do this in my college classes (use pool to help students relate to difficult physics concepts). I also tried to capture the esence of what you are describing in my "The Amazing World of Billiards Physics" and "Pool and Billiards Physics Principles by Coriolis and Others" articles. My HSV DVD also attempts to use high-speed video to inspire students and enthusiasts to appreciate the physics of pool and all sorts of other stuff (sorry for the commercial plug ... I know there has been far too much of this on the site lately).

Regards,
Dave

 

[Bob Callahan]

I occasionally teach a summer class called, "Physics for Phun" to gifted high school kids in a program at a local university, and use pool as a lab. We discuss principles and practice on alternate days. The kids love it--they tend to like practical applications better than pure theory when learning mathematics/physics. It's helped pique their interest that I was sort of a "mini-celebrity" because of the 1.5 minutes of fame Bob Byrne gave me with his very generous article.

What would you like to see in a book?

 

[Jal]

Just in case this hasn't been done before...what about somebody doing a book or dvd using the pool table as the physics classroom?

Geared towards kids this could be a great way to get young people interested in pool and possibly help get pool into schools.

I'll put in a dissenting vote for the following reasons:

1) It smacks of a 'hustle' to teach them physics in order to get them interested in pool.

2) Kids are generally looking for concrete explanations that physics just doesn't provide. It's a math-based bookkeeping system, of sorts, constructed out of abstract concepts that have no counterpart in everyday experience, for the most part. It'll never give them the same kind of explanatory satisfaction such as looking at a diagram of an automobile engine, where the parts and functions are pretty intuitive.

3) The fundamental reasons for why this or that happens, given in the vernacular, tend to be distortions. They can be more confusing than enlightening.

4) Judging from the reactions of the genuine, bona fide pool-enthusiasts on these forums, you might just as well administer severe electric shocks whenever they show any interest in the game.

That said, I don't think it would do much harm, and maybe even some good. I'm probably suffering from a case of poopy pants for even bringing these up.

Jim