Unit 15: Roman Engineering

Preparation

• History Web Lecture:

  Our lecture on Roman engineering introduces the students to the practical application of scientific ideas. This is something of a departure from our usual discussion, but it shows how even when the exact nature of a scientific theory is not understood, basic principles can still be applied to achieve practical results.

• Science Web Lecture:

  The science web lecture focusses on forces acting on objects to move or spin them. Working with your student and experiment with common objects to determine the center of mass (balance point) of the object, then push the object two ways: so that the line of force goes through the balance point, and so that it doesn't. Choose some household object in place (such as a mirror or door) and try to determine all the forces acting on it.

• Homework:

  The mastery exercises introduce some simple mathematical concepts and physics definitions. Physics uses common terms like force and work in a precise mathematical way. Students need to recognize the difference between the everyday meaning and relationships used in calculations.

• Discussion:

  We will concentrate on how the Romans applied some of the concepts that they learned from the Greeks to solving practical problems. We also want to start exploring why some of the information available, such as Hero's work with machines, saw no widespread application during the classical period.

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