Physics Lesson: Conservation of Energy

The laws of physics apply to all. Your car is one example that can best demonstrate some of the laws of physics. For instance, the law of conservation of energy can be demonstrated in an automobile during collisions. This law states that the total energy of a system remains the same. The energy may only take different manifestations but the total will be the same as the original. During a collision, the energy of an automobile is merely transferred to another automobile or obstacle that it impacted. This concept can be best expressed in terms of momentum. If one automobile is faster or heavier than the other, the one with lesser momentum will yield and most likely will sustain greater extent of damage.

Conservation of energy can also be demonstrated in the engine itself. When the fuel is combusted, the chemical energy is converted to heat energy. This heat energy is the one that drives the gases to expand and create tremendous pressure. In turn, the pressure is the one that drives the pistons to move. This process demonstrates the conversion of one energy form into other forms. The chemical energy is converted to heat energy. In turn, the heat energy is converted to mechanical energy.

Although the one form of energy cannot be completely converted into other forms of useful energy, the total energy of the system remains the same no matter how many times the energy is converted into different forms. The law of conservation of energy is also applicable when braking or accelerating. This means that in order to completely stop a moving car, the brake energy that must be applied must be equal or greater than the acceleration energy. In classical physics, this law holds true but the expanded version of this law is more universally applicable This expanded version is known as the law of conservation of matter and energy. Well, that is another story.

Brief history of the Windshield Wiper

Every time it rains and you are driving, you should not forget to thank Marry Anderson. Contrary to common chauvinistic beliefs of men, not all things about cars are invented by the male species. The windshield wiper is an example of an invention that will raise the eyebrows of men with superiority complex. Regardless if you are patriarchal or modern-day feminist, you benefit from the windshield wiper – provided, of course, that you own a car. The windshield wiper is a simple solution to an inconvenient problem that had plagued early motorists for more than a decade since the mass-production of the automobile. Formerly, the drivers had to open the swinging windshields of their cars to allow them good view of the road during rain.

When it is raining, the windshield is clouded by the dripping water droplets of rain. Because of light refraction, the images will be obscured or blurred. The driver will not be able to correctly maneuver his or her vehicle if the view is obscured. Thankfully, the windshield wiper was invented. It was during her trip in New York City that Ms. Marry Anderson first had her inspiration. She observed that drivers needed to open the windshields every time it rains to give them good view of the road. This was causing inconvenience because the interior compartment was drenched.

The first windshield wiper that was patented by Ms. Anderson was a manually-operated wiper. A driver had to periodically turn the lever handle inside the cockpit to wipe the dripping water on the windshield. By 1916, the wiper was already a standard component of all American cars. It took another woman by the name of Charlotte Bridgwood to develop the automatic windshield wiper. It was a roller-based device that was a bit cumbersome, expensive, and inefficient. Hence, it was not a commercial success. However, it became the basis for the modern-day windshield wiper.