Mother of Invention A brief presentation on physics in a historical context.

What is Physics?  The human attempt to understand and model nature is arguably one answer to this question.  When considering human beings it is useful to reflect on motives and needs of individuals or their society.  Consider then the steam engine…

Conservation of Energy  First Law of Thermodynamics  Energy can be used to do work  Adiabatic Gas Law: PV=nRT  As temperature goes up the pressure or the volume must increase  In this case heat (energy) applied to water vapor leads to its expansion which can be used to do work (mechanical energy).  First Law of Thermodynamics  Energy can be used to do work  Adiabatic Gas Law: PV=nRT  As temperature goes up the pressure or the volume must increase  In this case heat (energy) applied to water vapor leads to its expansion which can be used to do work (mechanical energy).

“James Watt invented the steam engine.”

Hero’s Pneumatica  Lived in Alexandria in 1st century CE  Invented many pneumatic devices including a simple steam engine, a vending machine, as well “magic” doors for temples and animatronics.  Lived in Alexandria in 1st century CE  Invented many pneumatic devices including a simple steam engine, a vending machine, as well “magic” doors for temples and animatronics.

Hero’s Engine  Steam is heated and as it expands it leaves the vessel through two holes aimed tangentially from the center axis  The conservation of angular momentum results in the vessel spinning  Steam is heated and as it expands it leaves the vessel through two holes aimed tangentially from the center axis  The conservation of angular momentum results in the vessel spinning

Demonstration and Final Thoughts