PHYS1055 How Things Work HOMEWORK 1
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PHYS1055 How Things Work
HOMEWORK 1
DUE DATE: February 26, 2026 (Thursday) 9:00am
Answers should be in the form of ONE file (either DOC. DOCX or PDF) file.
Try to limit your answer with the number of words as indicated in the question. The excessive words beyond the word limit will not be graded.
You are strongly encouraged to complement your answer with well-labeled diagrams to illustrate your answer.
All assignments must be submitted through the Moodle page
1. [20 marks] When pouring boiling water into a cold mug made of glass, it sometimes cracks unexpectedly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avzyhROCCSI). Explain the physical mechanisms behind the observation. Use your explanation to predict whether the cracking will happen easier when the mug is made of thicker or thinner glass (made with the same material). [150 words]
2. [20 marks] When you take a cold shower in the bathtub, the shower curtain hangs downward originally (Fig Q2-a). However, when you turn on the water tap, then you notice that the curtain moves inward, seemingly trying to “attack” you (Fig Q2-b). Can you explain the underlying physics behind the observed phenomenon? Would you observe a stronger, weaker, or identical effect if you actually take a nice hot shower instead of a cold one? [150 words]
3. [15 marks] Explain why a microwave oven heats food unevenly, and describe how a turntable improves uniformity. (Hint: Consider the distribution of microwave energy inside, and the standing wave patterns formed) [120 words]
4. [15 marks] Suction cups are extremely useful - they are used in the bathroom to hang your bath towels, and they are also used to move heavy pieces of glasses in construction sites.
Explain in your own words why these devices are so good at adhering to things. (Hint: Consider the difference in air pressure across the cup) [120 words]
5. [30 marks] For this question, you are requested to identify one observation from daily life that is under the theme “Science in the Kitchen” or “Science in the Bathroom.” You need to take a photograph to document it, and explain the physical principles behind the observation, embracing the theme of the course of“How Things Work”. [150 words]
(UPDATED February 2) For this question the photograph to illustrate “the observation from daily life” has to be taken by you (that is, not downloaded from the internet or generated by AI). In your submission, please include the date, time, and location at which the photo was taken (not counted in the 150 words)
For this question, 10 marks will be awarded to the originality of the daily observation and the quality of the documentation (that is, whether the photograph submitted properly illustrate the issue, and 20 marks will be awarded to the accuracy and logical flow of the explanation. Again, you can include well-labeled diagrams to illustrate your answer.
2026-02-07