The not so nutty professor

David Willey, a lecturer in Physics at the University of Pittsburgh, recently showed a dramatic video of himself in one of his classes. It was a film in which he walked on hot coals. Why did he do this? He was demonstrating a law of physics to his first year students in a memorable way. Willey, chosen as the University's Teacher of the Year' last year, believes there is real value in starting his lectures with a bang.

G

Other experiments are quieter, though no less dramatic. For a class on energy and pressure, Willey lay on a bed of nails while others broke a concrete block on his chest. But although all of Willey's experiments are interesting and demonstrate fun ways to learn physics, none of them quite captures the students' attention like walking barefoot on red hot coals.

1 –

'Just because something is at a high temperature, doesn't mean that it has a lot of heat to give out,' he explains. 'Firstly, the burning wood does not conduct heat well, and on top of this the walker's feet are only in contact with the burning material for a short time.'

2 –

Although traditionally people have seen fire-walking as proof of the power of mind over matter, in other words, that people could control pain with their minds, in his article Taylor explained that that psychology has nothing to do with it. The secret of fire-walking lies in physics.

3 –

The very first time I tried to step on them, my foot went to the side of the fire,' Willey says. 'My body just said "No Dave!" and I panicked. The second time I made a much more conscious effort, put my foot on the coals, stepped across them and said to myself, "Wow! I'm OK.'"

4 –

Willey has repeated it quite a few times on three different occasions, but the University administration will not allow him to fire-walk on the campus because they are worried about a possible fire, and insurance.

5 –

The other teachers like the idea, but what do Willey's students think of it all? They just think it's me being crazy as usual. They're fairly used to me doing strange demonstrations.'

 

A. After reading the article, Willey remembered his mother picking up hot wood coals that had fallen out of the fireplace and throwing them back without burning her hands. He knew from her example that he would not get burnt fire-walking, but he was still hesitant when it came to actually stepping onto a pile of hot coals he put down in his back garden.

 

B. Fire-walking as a ritual has been practised by people from all parts of the world for thousands of years, according to Willey. The first written reference to it appears in a story from India dating back to 1200 B.C. Since then, it has been observed and recorded in numerous cultures and religions

 

C. He thought that these two facts made fire-walking useful for teaching, and this was reinforced when he was looking through the March 1989 issue of The Physics Teacher'. There he came across an article entitled Fire-Walking as a Lesson in Physics by John R. Taylor.

 

D. In spite of this, Willey has posted information about his experiments on his webpage for other physics teachers who would like to use fire-walking or some of his other experiments in the classroom.

 

E. Having passed his own test on a small pile of hot coals in private, Willey then decided to try a full fire-walk, and film it. After the first step he again found that his foot was fine. Then he made his full walk.

 

F. He feels that this is because the principle is demonstrated so clearly in what looks like a very dangerous thing to do. He uses his video to demonstrate the difference between temperature and heat, and backs this up with a simple explanation.

 

G. Sometimes there is a real explosion! To demonstrate the effects of heat, for instance, Willey has been known to pour liquid nitrogen into a soft drink bottle and cover it with a plastic rubbish bin. The nitrogen changes into gas, expands and then causes the bottle to explode.

PART III

Exercise 1. You are going to read a magazine article about teenagers driving go-karts around a track. For questions 1-15,choose from the people (A - D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

was grateful that someone with them wasn't worried about their own performance?
had assumed they'd be far more successful than they actually were?
expresses an ambition to try driving somewhere apart from on a track?
found it hard to remember what they'd been told before they started driving?
was given confidence by the instructors despite initial nerves?
felt embarrassed by what they had to wear?
was thrilled to be among the most successful in their group?
became keen to go to the track on a more regular basis?
was concerned that someone with them was having problems?
suspected the speed they'd achieved wasn't as impressive as they thought?
thinks their success was thanks to being shown what to do?
was given the opportunity for a truly memorable trip in a very different vehicle?
found the people with them behaved differently from usual at the track?
got to take part in an activity that was almost cancelled?
was told they needed to make a change in their driving?

A. Jane

I went to the go-kart track with some friends, and never done anything like this before so I was a bit worried before I went. But the instructors couldn't have been nicer, and once I'd put on my safety suit and got into the go-kart, they made me feel completely at ease behind the wheel. The go-kart I drove was in great condition - although maybe not so great after I'd finished with it! The only thing was, things got much more competitive amongst my friends than I would ever have imagined - I'd really never seen them like that before, and I even thought there'd be some tears at one point as one friend took a while to learn how to get the car moving. But I was far more worried than she was. Once she'd got it, she was fine - and actually just as fast as everyone else around the track!

B. Mark

We'd been to similar events as a family, but I suspect my mum never likes it that much. She had a go at driving this time, but she was so slow that my brother and I passed her twice on the same lap round the track! She laughed about it as usual, though, I'm relieved to say; she just wanted us to have a good time. The instructor drove with us round the track as an example of how it should be done - I don't believe I would have remembered it all so quickly without that. Part of the track was wet too, in places, so at one point there was a chance we wouldn't be allowed to drive after all, but in the end they decided it was safe enough to show us how to brake safely in the wet! I was a bit nervous at first, but it was fine. Our lap times were being displayed on a big electronic scoreboard - and I was one of the fastest! Not surprisingly, my mum definitely looked worried at that!

C. Katie

I’d always been keen to start driving, even when I was small. I had a toy pedal car I used to drive all the time. So I guess I expected I was really well prepared for go-karting, but maybe I was a bit too self-confident, as I couldn't even get the car to move forward initially! Still, I did learn how to go round corners really fast - or at least it seemed fast to me, but probably not to the spectators. My mum said I'd done brilliantly, but then she always says something positive! I think, though, I might have appreciated a bit more training when I first got into the car and a bit less in the training room, as it wasn't easy to keep it all in my head before I'd actually tried driving. I can't say the safety suit I had to put on was particularly stylish either - I'm really glad my mates at school couldn't see me!

D. Harry

It was an amazing day - I went with my school class, and we were allowed to see how a go-kart is put together, and how to build your own. I learnt a lot just from that, so I decided to join the group that meets at the track every Saturday to learn how to fix old go-karts - and improve my driving skills, of course! I'm keen to start driving as soon as I'm old enough, anyway - we live out in the country, so it's pretty important. Anyway, driving on the track was cool - we were shown exactly what to do, then the instructors watched us and gave us individual feedback on our driving. Mine was OK, although there were areas for improvement -attempting to be the fastest round bends, for one thing! So I had to slow down. The highlight, though, was when some of us were taken for a ride in a yellow Lamborghini - a very expensive, luxury sports car! That was an experience I'll never forget!

Exercise 2.You are going to read an article about people’s experiences of going to the theme parks. For questions 1-15, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more then once.

Which person

found a way to avoid the crowds who were walking around in the park?
welcomed the opportunity to wander round the park without their parents?
was pleased to that one ride completely lived up to its promise?
found the trip distracted them from fights with family members?
felt they attempted to do too much during their visit?
was happy about the short time it took to get on the rides?
admired their parents for the amount of planning that had been done?
had planned before they arrived how they'd spend their time?
was concerned that not everyone had got to do what they wanted at the park?
says their trip was spoilt slightly by the weather?
says they felt excited rather than nervous about one ride?
took home a lot of purchases?
was surprised by the size of the park?
was relieved to discover they had things in common with their companions
says it was expensive to go to the park

A Joanna

We went on a four-day trip to a huge theme park, and I feel now that we might have burnt out too quickly. The first day was fantastic, going on absolutely every ride, however scary! But by the fourth day, we were getting a bit fed up with the constant race to fit in as many attractions as possible. And my parents must have spent loads - by the end of the trip we seemed to have acquired half the contents of the souvenir shops! But we had a great time and for once my brothers and I forgot all about the stupid arguments we have with each other over trivial stuff. They're usually friendly but a bit annoying for my mum and dad, especially if we're stuck somewhere in the pouring rain - like we were sometimes on this trip! That was a pity as it meant we missed out on some of the rides. But never mind -we still managed not to quarrel!

 

B Matthew

My family had insisted we sat down at home with the friends who were going with us and discussed who wanted to do what, so that we weren't wasting time fighting when we got there - and it seemed to work! Anyway, if we'd ended up waiting around in the burning heat that we had that day, we'd have been in trouble, I reckon. The theme park was amazing. The roller coaster alone was worth the high entrance fee - although my parents might not agree! It claimed to be the fastest in the world, but I doubted that. Still, judging by the track, I suspected the ride would be a different experience from the usual stuff, so I was determined to have as many goes as possible. I still found myself shaking in the queue, but it was definitely from the thrill of what was to come. And we weren't disappointed. Once the ride took off, the massive loops and drops just forced us back in our seats - all part of the fu

 

C Tim

Mum and Dad gave us each some spending money for the day, so there'd be no further argument over buying must-have souvenirs from the shops! And to my relief we were allowed to go off by ourselves for a bit - luckily I’ve got an older brother and sister to accompany me, and we all managed to do the rides we wanted. That was important as the place was far more extensive than even my wildest dreams, and that's saying something! Dad had got some special offers that reduced the price of entry - and this doubled the fun, as they entitled us to go to the head of the queue for the rides, like celebrities. That was lucky - we could have wasted hours otherwise. And it meant I managed endless goes on my favourite, Ghost Train. Even in the pouring rain that we had at one point, it never failed to thrill!

 

D Kaori

We went to the theme park with another family my parents knew, and their teenage daughters. My sister and I hadn't met them before, so I was a bit doubtful. But it turned out they were just like us – especially when it came to wanting stuff from the souvenir shops! First we sat in the park cafe and sorted out who was going where, so that no-one got cross about missing out on the roller coaster or whatever. I reckoned our friends were too polite to say what they really wanted, though. Then we overtook everyone and headed immediately for the end of the park, where it was quiet, and worked backwards - we missed a few queues that way, too. The weather was on our side too - mid-20s. Mum and Dad had even checked the forecast when they arranged the day - amazing. Can't imagine I'll be doing all of that when I've got kids!

 

Exercise 3.For questions 1-15, chose from the sections (A-G). The sections may be chosen more than once.

LIGHTNING STRIKES!

Which section

talks about a gadget?
refers to a person who has made a change to when they do something?
mentions a person who only seemed unharmed on the outside?
mentions victims being in an enclosed space?
mentions a myth?
describes how someone felt when they were struck?
states that someone was brought back to life?
mentions possible warning signs of a lightning strike?
mentions some people who had a lucky escape?
blames lightning for certain natural disasters?
recommends the best position to get into?
mentions keeping souvenirs of being hit?
mentions a person who was given wrong information?
mentions someone who made a discovery about lightning?
recommends a safe location to be in?

 

AThree years ago a bolt of lightning all but destroyed Lyn Miller's house in Aberdeen - with her two children inside. There was a huge rainstorm,' she says, recalling the terrifying experience. 'My brother and I were outside desperately working to stop floodwater from coming in the house. Suddenly I was thrown to the ground by an enormous bang. When I picked myself up, the roof and the entire upper storey of the house had been demolished. The door was blocked by rubble, but we forced our way in and found the children, thankfully unharmed. Later I was told that being struck by lightning is a chance in a million.' In fact, it's calculated at one chance in 600,000. Even so, Dr Mark Keys of AER Technology, an organisation that monitors the effects of lightning, thinks you should be sensible. 'I wouldn't go out in a storm -but then I'm quite a careful person.' He advises anyone who is unlucky enough to be caught in a storm to get down on the ground and curl up into a ball, making yourself as small as possible.

B Lightning is one of nature's most awesome displays of sheer power. No wonder the ancient Greeks thought it was Zeus, father of the gods, throwing thunderbolts around in anger. 250 years ago, Benjamin Franklin, the American scientist and statesman, proved that lightning is a form of electricity, but scientists still lack a complete understanding of how it works.

C Occasionally there are indications that lightning may strike, Positive electrical charges streaming upwards from trees or church spires may glow and make a buzzing noise, and people's hair can stand on end. And if you fear lightning, you'll be glad to know that a company in the USA has manufactured a hand-held

D Nancy Wilder was playing golf at a club in Surrey when she was hit by a bolt of lightning. Mrs Wilder's heart stopped beating, but she was resuscitated and, after a few days in hospital, where she was treated for burns to her head, hands and feet, she was pronounced fit again. Since that time, she has been a strictly fair-weather golfer. In fact, a golf course is one of the most dangerous places to be during a thunderstorm. The best place to be is inside a car!

E Lizzie Anne Bright was on a camping trip when lightning struck a tree and then travelled to where she was sitting. The feeling I got is hard to explain. I felt as if I was rising above the ground. I couldn't move and my shoulder really hurt and had burns. I was in hospital for five days. I still keep the clothes I was wearing that day. My jacket has a large black hole in it and my trousers and socks just melted.'

F Harold Deal, a retired electrician from South Carolina, USA, was struck by lightning 26 years ago. He was apparently unhurt, but it later emerged that the strike had damaged the part of the brain which controls the sensation of temperature. Since then the freezing South Carolina winters haven't bothered Harold, since he is completely unable to feel the cold.

G Animals are victims of lightning too. Hundreds of cows and sheep are killed every year, largely because they go under trees. In East Anglia in 1918, 504 sheep were killed instantaneously by the same bolt of lightning that hit the ground and travelled through the entire flock. Lightning is also responsible for starting more than 10,000 forest fires each year world-wide.

Exercise 4.You are going to read an article containing reviews of computer games. For questions 10-15,choose from the reviews (A-E). The reviews may be chosen more than once.