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8.8: Thinking about the material
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Reflect and research
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When did Lagrange publish his theory of classical mechanics, and what was the name of the publication?
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What is D’Alembert’s contribution to the field of classical mechanics?
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Who first proposed the Principle of Least Action, and when?
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What is an example of a situation not already covered that you can describe where mechanical energy is conserved?
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Under what symmetry is angular momentum conserved?
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Think of three renewable energy sources and describe how they use conservation of energy to produce electricity.
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What is a Rube Goldberg machine? Look up some videos of Rube Goldberg machines, and find the coolest one!
To try at home
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Design a small catapult or slingshot that you can build using materials found at home. Describe how these machines work using conservation of energy.
To try in the lab
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Propose an experiment to test that energy is conserved in a system where only gravity acts.
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Simulate the launch of a space probe out of the solar system using a gravity assist.
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Model and investigate the craters that are created when objects are dropped into a bed of sand.