The Mechanical universe-- and beyond
Subtitle: Part I : The mechanical universe, programs 17-20
By: California Institute of Technology and the Southern California Consortium ; producer and director, Peter Buffa
Contributors: California Institute of Technology; Southern California Consortium for Community College Television; Annenberg/CPB
Publisher: Annenberg/CPB
Published: 2003
Place of publication: S. Burlington, VT
Language: eng
Format: [videorecording] /
Number of pages: 120
Subjects: Resonance; Harmonic motion; Sound; Transmission; Angular momentum; Conservation laws (Physics); Torque
Other titles: Mechanical universe (Television program); Resonance.; Waves.; Angular momentum.; Torques and gyroscopes.
Description: Program 17 explores the phenomenon of resonance and discusses how this phenomenon can be used to explain why a swaying bridge can collapse in a mild wind or why a wineglass can be shattered by a human voice. Program 18 discusses Newton's application of the simple harmonic motion concept to the propagation of sound. Program 19 discusses angular motion as a twist on momentum, that is, the cross product of the radius vector and momentum. The program goes on to demonstrate that when no torque acts on a system, the angular motion of the system is conserved. Program 20 explains that when a torque acts on a spinning object, the angular momentum changes, but the object only precesses. Uses computer animation sequences, historical reenactments, and close-up photography of experiments.
Notes: An Annenberg/CPB project.

Pt. of a two-semester television course.

Videodisc release of the original television program: The mechanical universe.

Animated graphics, Jim Blinn ; story editor, Jack Arnold ; consultants, Dave A. Campbell, Judith Goodstein.

Host, David Goodstein.

College students and adults.

DVD.
Table of contents: title: Resonance (30 min.); title: Waves (30 min.); title: Angular momentum (30 min.); title: Torques and gyroscopes (30 min.)