How we describe the World around us? (January 2020)

This Session gives a general introduction of what Physics—the most fundamental of Sciences—is, and challenges the students with basic problems for the Physicist, such as figuring out if an egg found in the fridge is cooked or not. We then play with momentum and the two equations that capture its linear and angular versions, p⃗ =mv⃗ and L⃗ =Iω⃗. We discuss with these particular cases how Physics use such Mathematical formulas to account for the strange phenomena taking place around us, and transform cryptic mathematical equations into enlightening meaning, with prospects of using one's understanding for applications, such as launching rockets or detecting rotation.

A final paradox easily observed with light will be given to students to ponder on their own, with enough clues given so that the paradox be solved before returning home, but starting from scratch with only the phenomenon itself for those who feel up to confronting the Universe with only their intuition and physical reasoning.