Touching Soap Films
Touching Soap Films This is a scientific video about the world of soap films designed for the general public. Few other physical problems have influenced as many branches of mathematics in the past 200 years as have the study of soap films. A soap film is physically similar to a piece of rubber surface which tries to contract itself under surface tension to a surface with least area. The video is completely computer generated. It explains the world of soap films and their properties in an amusing story, in which a young boy explores the palace of soap films. Under the guidance of an old professor, he gets fascinating insights and becomes a witness to never-before-seen shapes and animations of soap films. The authors have achieved the unique result of making the film exciting and enjoyable for both anyone interested in science and researchers in differential geometry. In addition, the film is ideally suited to be shown to school students, and hence of great interest to mathematics teachers.
Customer Review: Learn mathematics and physics by examining the properties of thin films of soap
Since a soap film will spontaneously re-form so that the surface area is minimal, they are a practical demonstration of a complex problem in mathematics. Given a specific set of parameters, finding the minimal surface with these characteristics is a hard problem. Stability is also an issue, in that there may be a stable surface, but it is necessary to pass through an unstable state to get there. The surfaces with least area have many practical applications in architecture, physics and chemistry. This video, completely animated via computer, walks you through many of the key surfaces.
The main character is a young boy with a curiosity that prevents him from leaving things alone. He moves through a museum as the surfaces are explained and demonstrated. They are deformed and rotated in a continuous manner so that you can examine all aspects of the surface. This is clearly the highlight of the tape. The deformations are stunning in their smoothness, as you can see every detail of the surface from every angle.
However, while the tape is good, it would be difficult to use it as a distinct educational device. Without some supplemental explanation, most of the discussion would be beyond the reach of most students. Fortunately, the package also contains a small, twenty-page booklet that explains the properties of the surfaces. With that at your disposal, it would be very easy to incorporate the tape into any course on applied mathematics or physics. A further advantage would also be that it would be easy and inexpensive to develop supplemental laboratory demonstrations.
Children have fun with soap bubbles and there is no reason why this fun should stop at an early age. With this video, that fun can be extended into the college classroom, where it is possible to learn mathematics and physics by examining the properties of thin films of soap.
-
45), This report covers antivirus software, which scans your hard drive, … Antivirus software is just one component of Internet security. …
HP Business software Products
Offers management, server, storage, workstation, and printing software, as well as drivers, operating systems, application development tools, and more.
FreewareFiles.com
Download free software like games, web browsers, screen savers, libraries, drivers, desktop themes, and spyware blockers.
Downloads - PCWorld.com
Contains Internet and system utilities, including icons, wallpaper, games, and other software.
Temperature calibration and ITS-90 coefficient calculation software
Hart Scientific manufactures temperature calibration measurement equipment thermometers primary standards fixed-point cells water triple points SPRTs baths dry-block …
computers & software - BizRate.com
Find computers & software at bargain prices. Comparison shop for the lowest prices, check store ratings & read product reviews before you buy.
Rockwell software
Rockwell software products from Rockwell Automation enable real-time information exchange between manufacturing operations and the rest of your enterprise.
H&R Block - TaxCut software Find Every Deduction
H&R Block’s TaxCut software. Whether you’re 1040EZ or self-employed, TaxCut from H&R Block guarantees that you’ll get the maximum refund. Fast, Easy, Accurate and Secure.
One Response to “Touching Soap Films”
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
[…] Touching Soap Films Touching Soap Films This is a scientific video about the world of soap films designed for the general public. Few other physical problems have influenced as many branches of mathematics in the past 200 years as have the study of soap films. A soap film is physically similar to a piece of rubber surface […] […]