Penguins in Education

Penguins in Physics at University level!

I use all sorts of examples of penguin behaviour to illustrate Physics – the possibilities are endless.

My favourite problems are those of heat transfer, work and thermodynamics.  You can set problems about the energy requirements of Emperor penguins to incubate eggs through the Antarctic winter.  This sort of problem can be used on many levels.  In the first year, undergraduates can be asked to calculate the minimum thickness of blubber and downy feathers, (given their thermal conductivities and assuming the penguin is spherical!) that allow a penguin to maintain a body temperature of 39°C when the air temperature is -4°C.  In the second year, the problem of thermal diffusion can be addressed in a similar way.  By the final year, students should be able to tackle complex problems and include realistic body shapes, etc.

You can also introduce more fun into problems by replacing the "twins" in the famous paradox with a pair of penguin chicks - why does one get adult plumage, while the well travelled chick keeps her down? Then there is always Schrodinger's penguin dilemma, etc. The list is only limited by your imagination.  My students are always surprised when I give a problem without a penguin in sight - they think there must be a catch!