Can you learn physics through art? Physics In Art is a free app teaching kids physics through art. It is designed by a physics professor at Drexel University. The artworks used in the app are all from Philadelphia Museum of Art, but you don’t have to be at the museum to use the app. The app has pictures of the artworks. Of course, if you are visiting Philadelphia Museum of Art, it will be neat to go to the real artwork.
Through the app, kids learn that physics principles can be found everywhere, even in an art museum. Several pieces of art currently found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art are examined closely. Some background material on each piece is given. Using interactive animations and video segments, physics principles associated with each object are explored.
The artworks and the corresponding physics topics in the apps include:
1. The Diana Statue is used to demonstrate Newton’s Third Law.
2. Several famous paintings are used to explain how we see color.
3. The huge Calder mobile is used to teach rotational equilibrium.
4. Swords from the Arms and Armor collection illustrate the importance of the location of the Center of Mass when wielding a weapon.
Kids can go through the app by either the physics concepts, or by the art pieces. In each section, kids will see the picture of the art work, with a brief introduction of the art, then a question that needs some physics knowledge to answer, then the explanation of the physics theory and application. At the end, there is a short summary of key points kids should remember.
It is a fun way to learn physics. My only wish is to have more pieces of art included in the app.
Physics In Art is a free app for iPad.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
For more physics apps for kids, check out 15 Physics Games that Are Safe for Kids to Play.
