- Feb 16, 2003
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Probably a repost to the millionth, but still interesting
Students with a flair for the unique are not always welcome either at home
or at a university. But it is these gifted free spirits that challenge the
orthodox that can and do change the world. The following key question was in
a physics exam given at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark a number of years ago: "Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a
barometer."
One student replied: "You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the
barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the
ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal
the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was
failed. The student appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably
correct. The university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case.
The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display
any noticeable knowledge of physics. To resolve the problem it was decided
to call the student in and allow him an opportunity to provide a verbal
answer which showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles
of physics.
At the verbal exam the student replied as follows:
"First: You could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop
it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The
height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t
squared."
"Second: If the sun is shining, you could measure the height of the
barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then
you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is a
simple matter of proportional arithmetic to calculate the height of the
skyscraper."
"Third: If the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be
easier to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer
lengths, then add them up."
"Fourth: If you wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, you could use
the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and
on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the
height of the building."
"Lastly: Since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence
of mind, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door
and say to him, 'If you would like a new barometer, I will give you this
one, if you would please tell me the height of this skyscraper'."
The student was Niels Bohr, the only person from Denmark to win the Nobel
Prize for Physics.
Students with a flair for the unique are not always welcome either at home
or at a university. But it is these gifted free spirits that challenge the
orthodox that can and do change the world. The following key question was in
a physics exam given at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark a number of years ago: "Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a
barometer."
One student replied: "You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the
barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the
ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal
the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was
failed. The student appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably
correct. The university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case.
The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display
any noticeable knowledge of physics. To resolve the problem it was decided
to call the student in and allow him an opportunity to provide a verbal
answer which showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles
of physics.
At the verbal exam the student replied as follows:
"First: You could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop
it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The
height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t
squared."
"Second: If the sun is shining, you could measure the height of the
barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then
you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is a
simple matter of proportional arithmetic to calculate the height of the
skyscraper."
"Third: If the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be
easier to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer
lengths, then add them up."
"Fourth: If you wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, you could use
the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and
on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the
height of the building."
"Lastly: Since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence
of mind, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door
and say to him, 'If you would like a new barometer, I will give you this
one, if you would please tell me the height of this skyscraper'."
The student was Niels Bohr, the only person from Denmark to win the Nobel
Prize for Physics.
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