Episode 13: Astro Puffs

Astronaut and chemist Dr. Don Pettit does physics demos that are out of this world. Currently on board the International Space Station, Dr. Pettit presents fantastic physics that can only be demonstrated in micro-gravity.

Episode 13: Astro Puffs

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Challenge Question: How does volume affect how the spheres react to the waves?

Challenge Answer: As the volume of the sphere increases, the mass increases and the sphere will have more inertia. More of the momentum from the shot of air will go towards creating waves and less towards moving the sphere. The greater body oscillations will make more water recoil backwards than in the case of lower volume. Also, the surface oscillations will take longer to travel to the back of the sphere.

Challenge Winner: Daniel Chamudot, Riverdale, NY