September 2013 – Page 3

Ruben’s Tube

There’s a good chance that this is just a crazy guy setting fires in his garage, but there’s an equally good chance that he’s teaching us something about physics. The Ruben’s Tube was invented in 1905 by a German Physicist named Heinrich Rubens. It’s purpose is pretty clear, to visualize sound waves using many small […]

Ruben's Tube There’s a good chance that this is just a crazy guy setting fires in his garage, but there’s an equally good chance that he’s teaching us something about physics. The Ruben’s Tube was invented in 1905 by a German Physicist named Heinrich Rubens. It’s purpose is pretty clear, to visualize sound waves using many small flames, though I can’t imagine how he came up with the idea.

Not only that, imagine hearing about this in 1905. Your friend tells you about some sort of mad scientist who is using fire to visualize a invisible shape that accompanies sound wherever it goes. I wouldn’t know whether to be afraid of what else this man is capable of or in awe of his super-human control of the elements. Anyways, enjoy the modern day execution of an old experiment.

Embed This Video

Actual European Discoveries

It is commonly taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Now this is not accurate in multiple ways. Not only were there people residing in current day America before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas, but he was also not the first European to land off the coast. There is evidence that Europeans had unknowingly found […]

This infographic goes through lands (mostly small islands) actually discovered by Europeans (and America). However, there was evidence of prior habitation and of prior knowledge before they were “discovered” by Europeans. So it is difficult to say what was discovered by Europeans.

Some questions that need to be answered include: What began the “Age of Exploration”? Why did previous inhabitants, or those who knew of islands, not inhabit the areas? What are we working on that can be compared to this excitement? While it is not very expensive to charter a boat and sail around the world today, what were the costs then as compared to present day? What was the life like of one of these explorers? What was involved in preparing and expedition and life on the ship? What is left to be discovered here on Earth (beneath ice, within jungle, and in other uninhabitable areas)?

Blog: http://goo.gl/rpQ9qn

Tweet This Post

The Solar System: Our Home in Space

Narrated by a gentleman who sounds much like Robin Leach, former host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, this short video is the subject of our IGaD today. In fact, our solar system is home of many rich and famous individuals, just as it is home to those of us who are less rich […]

Aside from this interesting fact that I shared, this infographic does cover more important facts about other planets, moons, and other masses that orbit the Sun with us. It compares various planets in such a way that puts things into perspective. It compares other planets to Earth, including mass and asteroids. And it finally ends on a pleasant note, sharing the demise of Earth in many, many years.

Begin, or end, your study of the Solar System with this short video, to give students a short overview of what can be expected. And don’t forget to read this post in the voice of the narrator, the way in which I wrote it.

Blog: http://visual.ly/solar-system-our-home-space

Tweet This Post