Alex+Smith

//The Physics of Santa Claus//

Gravity, Momentum, Friction http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-reindeer-pushes-stuck-santa-in-the-chimney-image6338534 The three physics concepts present in this image are gravity, friction and momentum. Gravity plays a role in multiple facets of this picture- it is the force that is pulling the reindeer, Santa, and the snow on the roof of the house towards the center of a mass- in this case the Earth. But gravity is also present in the stars in the background. The definition of gravity is that it is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass. The gravity of the earth is approximately 9.81 m/s^2. Momentum is also present in this image. While Santa currently is at equilibrium, in that the chimney is exerting a force equivalent to the force of gravity; the reindeer jumped, meaning that he had an upward momentum which changed to downward momentum as the force of gravity became greater than the force of the upward momentum. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity of an object. Friction is also present in this image. Friction is the force in which there is resistance between two objects moving past each other, thus preventing motion from occurring, or slowing down the motion. In this case, friction is present because Santa and the chimney are rubbing together, and this friction is preventing him from going down the chimney. Layton, Julia. "How does Gravity Work?." //How Stuff Works//. How Stuff Works, 2011. Web. 20 Dec 2011. "Momentum." //The Physics Classroom//. The Physics Classroom, 2011. Web. 20 Dec 2011. . "Friction." //Sambal's Science Web//. N.p., 2006. Web. 20 Dec 2011.