4 Physics Concepts Explored In The Movie 3 Idiots

3 Idiots is a movie that not only makes us laugh and cry, but it also weaves in physics miracles that make us marvel at the glories of scientific knowledge. This well-known Indian comedy-drama movie has won over viewers' hearts with its moving storytelling and provocative subjects. But beneath the layers of amusement, there's an intriguing physics integration that gives the movie a fresh dimension.

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1. Concept 1: Bernoulli's Principle
2. Concept 2: Newton's Laws of Motion
3. Concept 3: Resonance Frequency
4. Concept 4: Doppler Effect

In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the physics concepts showcased in "3 Idiots" and explore the scientific underpinnings that enhance our viewing experience. From Bernoulli's principle to Newton's laws of motion, from resonance frequency to the Doppler effect, we delve into the realm of scientific understanding that permeates the narrative of the movie.

Concept 1: Bernoulli's Principle

The relationship between a fluid's speed and pressure is described by Bernoulli's principle, a key idea in fluid dynamics. The Bernoulli principle states that a fluid's pressure falls as its speed rises and vice versa. The total amount of energy stays constant along a streamline according to this theory, which is based on the conservation of energy in a flowing fluid.

In the movie "3 Idiots," Bernoulli's principle is vividly demonstrated during a paper aeroplane competition. One of the characters, Rancho, folds a paper aeroplane with a unique design that allows it to soar effortlessly through the air. This is achieved by creating a curved wing shape, which increases the speed of the air moving over the wing, resulting in lower air pressure above the wing compared to below it. This pressure difference generates lift, causing the paper aeroplane to stay afloat for an extended period.

A number of aspects of daily life directly relate to Bernoulli's concept. One famous instance is in aviation, where it is essential to comprehend the fundamentals of flight. The shape of an aeroplane wing is created to produce lift by employing Bernoulli's principle to create a pressure differential. Lower pressure is created by the faster-moving air above the wing, which causes the aeroplane to rise.

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Concept 2: Newton's Laws of Motion

Newton's laws of motion are fundamental principles that describe the relationship between motion and the forces acting upon objects. They provide a framework for understanding how objects move and interact with their surroundings. Newton's three laws are as follows:

• According to Newton's First Law of Motion, also referred to as the law of inertia, an object at rest has a tendency to remain at rest, and an object in motion has a tendency to maintain its current speed and direction absent the application of an external force.

• According to Newton's Second Law of Motion, an object's acceleration is inversely proportional to its mass and directly proportional to the net force that has been applied to it. This law can be mathematically expressed as F = ma, where F represents force, m represents mass, and a represents acceleration.

• According to Newton's Third Law of Motion, there is an equal and opposite reaction to every action. Accordingly, anytime one object applies a force to another, the second object applies a force that is equal to and opposite to that applied by the first object.

In "3 Idiots," there are scenes that exemplify Newton's laws of motion. One such scene involves the construction of a device by the characters that demonstrates Newton's third law of motion. The device, which consists of a balloon and a small fan, creates a forward propulsion force when the air is expelled backwards. This showcases the application of Newton's third law, as the air being pushed backwards creates an equal and opposite force propelling the device forward.

Newton's laws of motion find practical applications in various aspects of our lives. In terms of car safety, Newton's laws help engineers design vehicles with features that protect passengers during collisions. The concept of inertia (Newton's first law) explains why seatbelts are essential, as they prevent passengers from continuing to move forward in the event of a sudden stop.

Sports also rely on Newton's laws. For example, throwing a ball involves Newton's second and third laws. The force exerted on the ball determines its acceleration (Newton's second law), and the ball exerts an equal and opposite force on the thrower's hand (Newton's third law). Understanding these laws helps athletes optimise their performance in various sports.

Concept 3: Resonance Frequency

The particular frequency at which a system or item naturally vibrates or oscillates with the greatest amplitude is known as the resonance frequency. An object or system responds powerfully when a force is applied at its resonance frequency, amplifying the vibrations or oscillations. The physical characteristics of the object, such as its mass, stiffness, and geometry, dictate the resonance frequency.

In the movie "3 Idiots," there is a notable guitar scene where Rancho, played by Aamir Khan, showcases the concept of the resonance frequency. Rancho picks up a guitar and plucks a string, producing a specific sound. He then explains that each string on the guitar has a unique resonance frequency.

To demonstrate this, Rancho proceeds to lightly touch his finger against the edge of a glass filled with water and causes it to emit a distinct sound. He then touches the glass to the vibrating guitar string, and the sound resonates, amplifying the frequency. This scene effectively showcases the concept of resonance frequency and how it applies to musical instruments like the guitar.

The resonance frequency is used in a variety of real-world contexts, such as musical instruments where it affects the pitch and tone produced, bridges where understanding of resonance aids in preventing structural damage from outside forces, and medical imaging methods like MRI and ultrasound which use resonance to produce detailed images of the human body.

Concept 4: Doppler Effect

The Doppler effect is a phenomenon observed in waves, particularly sound waves, in which the frequency and perceived pitch of the wave change when the source of the wave and the observer moves relative to each other. It occurs as a result of wavefront compression or expansion when they approach or move away from the observer.

In the movie "3 Idiots," there is a scene where Rancho, Raju, and Farhan are riding a motorcycle. They hear an approaching ambulance siren, and as the ambulance gets closer, the siren sound becomes louder and higher in pitch for Rancho and Raju, who are moving towards it. However, for Farhan, who is seated in the sidecar and moving away, the siren sound appears lower in pitch. This showcases the Doppler Effect, highlighting how the pitch of a sound changes based on the relative motion between the source (ambulance) and the observers (the characters on the motorcycle). The scene adds a comedic touch as the characters react to the varying intensity and pitch of the siren.

The Doppler effect has numerous practical applications. It aids in determining the velocity and attributes of celestial objects in astronomy. It is used in medicine to monitor blood flow and diagnose vascular disorders. The Doppler effect aids in assessing vehicle speed and improving road safety in traffic monitoring.

"3 Idiots" adds a fascinating dimension to its storytelling by incorporating physics concepts such as Bernoulli's principle, Newton's laws of motion, resonance frequency, and the Doppler effect, showcasing the practical applications of these scientific principles in aviation, vehicle safety, music, bridges, medical imaging, and more. The film combines fun and instruction to encourage viewers to appreciate the glories of scientific knowledge.

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