Thursday, December 16, 2004

Fun with Physics Final

So I took a weather final today, and the last two questions were more giveaway questions than anything else. Observe:

There are a wide range of backgrounds and future career paths represented in this class. Each of you also had your own reason for taking this class (even if it is just to fill the GE natural science credits). Comment on how the material covered in this class might help you in your future career path or in your hobbies and other activities.

I like to know random facts-this class should help at the next dinner where my brother asks why the sky is blue. I can look him confidently in the eye and unabashedly state: "because the grass took green." Just kidding. I'd of course mention Raleigh scattering (blah blah blah)...

Develop a global climate model for the earth. Test that model by using data from 1800 (using whatever source you have available at your desk) to start the model and see if it gives the correct results for the year 2001. Then carry that model forward to the year 2100. Comment on how your results will affect the economy of Liechtenstein. You may use a hand calculator if you desire.

The economy of Liechtenstein is based solely on the fact that it pays reparations to the country of Spain in order to remain an autonomous state. According to my greatXn^6 Aunt Bermuda's big toe, sometimes in 1800, it rained. Clearly this holds true today, as in 2001, according to my big toe with I clearly inherited from her, it also rains. Using this amazing forecasting ability, I predict that in 2100, it may still also rain. As Spaniards are quite fond of bull runs, this will obviously cause some distress for little Liechtenstein when the Spaniard’s Prize Bulls slip due to the mud from the rain, break their legs, and place the Spanish Royalty in a bit of a foul temper. Reparations will obviously be demanded from Liechtenstein on the basis that 90% of their energy comes from nuclear plants, and those cooling towers clearly caused the clouds that made the rain that broke the bulls (that lived in the house that Juan built...). That, and the country of Spain is bigger...so there. This added stress on the economy will likely result in a "Purple Tuesday" (as the USA already used "Black Friday") and Liechtenstein will be forced to give up its autonomy and again become part of Spain.

Let's just hope that my teacher has a similar sense of humor as I do...

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