Prof. Kung’s Energy class “beta tested” some new lab equipment related to the production of wind power! The students were challenged to design and construct (in just one class period) turbine blades that would produce a maximum amount of power, and the blade designs were put in head to head competition under controlled wind conditions (e.g. a fan!).
The turbine design that could lift the most weight was the winner. The overall winning team was Jack & Delaney, who opted for adding as many turbine blades as possible: their design ended up lifting 3 times more weight than any other group’s design!
Over a dozen turbine designs were produced, and other more complex (if less effective) designs were also pictured. This test was quite successful and Prof. Kung plans to expand the lab in later semesters!
Tag: kung
The Physics of Rock Climbing!
The following post is written by UHPer and SPA member Kerry Lanzo —
My freshman year in the UHP, Professor Kung taught me Einstein’s theory of relativity. On Saturday, she revealed a different talent to four UHPers for a thrilling new type of professorial experience: rock climbing. Through three hours of Professor Kung’s (and company’s) patient belaying, there was a lot of falling, forearm fatigue, awkward bending (or stretching), and in some cases, muscular challenges that most classes in the UHP don’t require. We learned that some hand-holds really are not as nice as they look, and when in doubt, to forget the color of the course you are trying to follow and just grab anything you can that looks friendly to finish the wall. But it was worth the pain for some great photo ops from the top of the wall, a run-in with the Death Star, or an end-of-the-day treat of Girl Scout Cookies and the chance to see our very own professor make a 5.10b course look easy.
More pics below. Continue reading “The Physics of Rock Climbing!”
Live Life on the (L)edge!
Professor Kung is taking a lucky group of UHP-ers ROCK-CLIMBING at Earth Treks in Rockville, Maryland on Saturday, May 4!
Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to study. Kerry Lanzo will be leading a group from the Townhouse in Foggy Bottom at 10am, to return by 1:30pm, and you can leave early if you need (it’s right up the red line). The cost is $22 for entry for the day, and $11 for the materials. It’ll be well worth it to get some exercise, de-stress, and hang out with one of UHP’s coolest faculty members.
To RSVP, please send an e-mail to the uhp@gwu.edu account. The group will most likely cap at 5 or 6 to keep it small, but we’re flexible!
