Video Image

Video URL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbRgNIEVaiI&feature=youtu.be

Video Description

A modern take on the classic story of Cinderella where boy meets girl... then boy looses girl. Through the prism of physics we take a closer look at how Cinderella out matched Prince Charming to successfully escape from the ball before changing back. We investigate what strategies Cinderella used, and what things came into play to cause the Prince to loose his advantage, and eventually the girl.

Video Co-Creator(s)

Michelle Washington, Pasadena City CollegeAndrew Washington, Azusa Pacific University

Video Creator Bio

Adam Washington: a young college film maker who enjoys expressing his passion for science in a creative medium. With two creative, yet analytical parents he finds ways to bring the creative and scientific together. He is pursing degrees in international marketing and film. Michelle Washington: is a fine arts major, with a minor in Chinese Studies. She also enjoys acting, singing, and forensics (competitive speech competitions). Andrew Washington: new to the college scene, will be studying music and communications in the fall. He has a strong background in leadership and community service, and has traveled to China twice.

10 days later

Adam,

Congratulations for a very imaginative video! The idea of using physics to explain why Cinderella escaped the prince is original and has a lot of potential, and the production aspects of the video were very good! Some of the physics was also good (computing the speed needed to complete the run in less than 1 minute), but as I am an introductory physics teacher, I cannot help but offer some constructive criticism about some aspects of your story that could be improved.

1) To explain why it is not easy to sustain a long run with a big ballroom gown, it would be interesting to talk about air resistance, since it is not moving at a constant speed by itself that requires a force, but fighting against other forces that want to slow you down.

2) The equation F = mv^2/r (relating to a possible escape with the scarf) was a bit confusing, since it was not clear where the circular (or part-of-a-circle) motion would take place (by the way, you forgot the "2" in the formula). This equation might be eliminated altogether, because the fact that the scarf could not support Cinderella's weight was sufficient. (It is also not clear what you mean when you write "mass > scarf potential"... you probably wanted to say "weight (not mass) > maximum scarf tension".)

3) At the end of the video, you state that each time the prince stops he loses momentum, which is true, but it would have been more interesting to talk about the time needed to decelerate and accelerate again: that is the real reason why stopping costs time in the race.

I hope you don't find my comments to be too "nitpicky"... we physics teachers tend to be quite nitpicky when it comes to the concepts of physics! By the way, I thank you for your critique of part 3 of my trilogy of videos "This Is Physics". Like you, I'm having trouble getting other participants to give a community star-rating to my videos, so if you have watched my three videos and can leave a rating (using your author code) for each of them, it would be quite appreciated! (Feel free to leave comments and constructive criticism also!) I think many of the participants in the contest have not yet realized that a video NEEDS TO GET AT LEAST 10 COMMUNITY RATINGS to be considered for the final round, so I have started to actively ask for ratings... Don't hesitate to do the same, many authors had to resort to this approach in the previous contests organized by FQXi...

I hope your video does well in this contest. Good luck!

Marc

    Dear Marc,

    Thank you so much for your input. I didn't find your critiques nitpicking at all. I debated as to whether to add that formula for the scarf, so you're right I should've left it out. I wanted to keep the video interesting, yet simple so that the average person, who doesn't have a background in physics, would find it interesting enough to learn how physics can apply to something like a fairytale or things we do everyday. At least that was what I thought the goal of this contest was...to stir others to take an interest in physics. I would've loved to have collaborated with you on some of the more detailed aspects of the physics side of our story like the drag of the gown and the "deceleration & acceleration again" by the prince. (Your right it should have been "weight (not mass)" to make it clearer). I didn't dive into those elements too much because I didn't want to get too technical and make the video too long. So it was a little hard to gauge how far I should've taken the math. However, had you been my instructor, I probably could've explained it without it seeming too technical.

    I truly appreciate you taking the time to review our video. We had a great time working on it.

    Yes, it has been hard to get others to check out our work, as you well know. I will look over your other videos with ratings & comment. The best to you, and thanks again.

    7 days later

    It looks like you had a lot of fun making this! This was a neat idea, and I like the way you executed it. Although, as Marc pointed out, there were a few things you could have changed, I thought this was an amusing video overall.

    By the way, if you could watch and rate my video, "The Cool Physics of Refrigeration," that would be great. Thanks!

    David

    Hi Adam!

    First off, thank you for commenting and rating my video I really appreciate it!, second I love your video and the idea was great, not your typical video... I was really engage, and i liked how it was explain!, you've got 5 stars from me!

    Keep making great videos and good luck in the competition!

    Andrea Garza

    Hi Michelle and Andrew,

    I liked a lot that you chose a romantic story (here the Cinderella story) to lead through the physics in your video. It always helped me a lot to "personify" and visualize the phenomenon and I think you did a really good job presenting the narrative and the science behind it.

    Since I saw a lot of science videos (not in this contest luckily) where women had the part of a clueless interviewer, while a male was explaining physics, I have to point out something that I appreciate a lot in your video. I loved how Cinderella was a competent and physics-loving character. I'm sure it is empowering for other women as well to see her in control, know what she is doing and without a doubt so clever that she outsmarts Ivy-league prince charming. All my love for this, it is awesome!

    I hope you can comment and watch our video too and give us some feedback. If you could vote for us it would be really great, since as Marc pointed out we all need 10 votes to be considered for the finals. I really hope you guys and the Cinderella I admire make it!

    Best of luck,

    Madeleine

    Piezoelectricity: A Love Story

    11 days later

    This is a really good video...

    Please go through my video also and rate it and give me your valuable suggestions... The topic of my video is - PHYSICS THE ODYSSEY...

    Regards

    I enjoyed that greatly Adam, Michelle, and Andrew..

    I'll ponder a little while, but certainly vote before midnight tomorrow. I agree with the assessment by Stephane, and I think your cinematography is excellent, the conveyance of your message very good, and the message quite relevant to the contest theme. Plus it was fun! Good luck in the contest!

    I hope you get to check out my video too.

    All the Best,

    Jonathan

      8 years later
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