Trapeze, Perch Poles, and Other High-Flying Circus Science
TRAPEZE PERCH POLES AND OTHER HIGH FLYING CIRCUS SCIENCE by Marcia Amidon Lusted Consultant Vesal Dini PhD in Physics Postdoctoral Scholar at Tufts University Center for Engineering Education Outreach Medford Massachusetts CAPSTONE PRESS a capstone imprint
FLYING HIGH AT THE CIRCUS Step right up into the big top Then look up to see some of the world's most amazing circus acts An acrobat flies through the air from one trapeze to another Performers leap onto a board and bounce and flip Another performer climbs a tall pole and balances on the top while one person holds the pole steady from below Hear the audience gasp in amazement These high flying acts are some of the most exciting in the circus Performers swing flip and fly through the air wowing audiences There is one important element to these amazing acts that should not be overlooked That element is science With science we can better understand how these acts work
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME The circus is fun to watch but DO NOT try any of these acts yourself Circus performers spend years training They practice every day Performing a circus act without the proper training and correct safety precautions could result in serious injury Instead simple activities that you CAN TRY are included in the pages that follow They will help you understand the science behind the circus They are safe easy and fun
