At Greeley West High School, pigs really do fly, at least in Mr. Zach Armstrong’s physics lab. In a hands-on experiment that turned science into life, students launched battery operated flying pigs to analyze circular motion and centripetal acceleration. This activity began as a fun classroom activity but then immediately turned into a memorable lesson proving that physics is not only just about numbers on a page, but it’s about understanding the forces that shape the world that revolves around us.
The experiment was all about motion. Specificailly, studentsl learned how the speed of flying pigs impacts the angle of their string. “We were analyzing circular motion and centripetal acceleration; in other words, how fast the pigs fly determines the angle of their string,” Armstrong shared.
For this specific experiment, students had to be very careful in setting it up. They used battery powered pigs that flap their huge wings as they spin in circles. In order to collect data, they collaborated with a timer and meter stick. “The students use battery operated flying pigs that flap their wings, and then when you give them a little push, they begin to fly in circles. And then they just use a meter stick and a timer to get their data.”
This activity wasn’t a competition but a structured lab where students collected to test an equation. “The students had some directions of what they needed to do. They were trying to confirm that the centripetal acceleration equation works by comparing it to the data they collected,” Armstrong said.
To do that, they relied on key physics principles.“We were using Newton’s Second Law and net forces to confirm the centripetal force.” Armstrong stated.
In the end, the flying Pig Lab proved to be more than just a fun experiment, but it was a real world demonstration of how physics applies to both the everyday experience and even professional fields. Whether it’s a flying pig or an incredibly stressful high tech engineering project, the principles remain the same. Beyond the scientific concepts that this experiment contains, students found the activity pretty engaging because of its unique and hands-on nature. “It’s a lot of fun because they get to work with flying pigs. It’s really funny and fascinating to see them flying through the air, and then you get to gather the data and see that physics actually works.” Armstrong shared.
