The Physics of Blood Flow

By Shawna Narayan

Blood vessels are a dynamic tissue that can alter their function for a particular situation. However, when a disease alters bodily functions, this can cause harmful effects. Through this demonstration, blood vessel functions will be explored as well as the nature of cardiovascular illnesses. This lesson plan and demonstration involving the physics of blood flow aims to engage students and excite them to be involved in physics opportunities. This website and project was done through Physics 420, a class offered at the University of British Columbia.

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Learning Objectives

Observational Skills

Identify an aneurysm in the model and describe it and its effect on the body (i.e. blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel)

Concept and Relationship Building

Recognize the relationships between pressure, area, and velocity (i.e. Bernoulli’s Principle)

Scientific Inquiry

Identify the importance of blood vessels dynamic characteristics (i.e. elastic and inelastic properties)

Classification Skills

Describe what atherosclerosis (i.e. hardening and narrowing of the arteries) and its effect on the body using physics concepts

Lesson Plan and Demonstration Information

Rationale

This demonstrations focus is to encourage students to develop a positive attitude towards science through an interesting connection between human physiology (biology) and physics.

Physics & Physiology Principles

Learn about the physics and physiology principles showcased in this demonstration.

Pedagogy & Teaching Methods

A short review on some of the teaching methods that may be useful for this presentation and lesson plan

Lesson Plan

Access documents like worksheets, evaluation forms, and LoggerPro software information here. Direction for constructing the demo are outlined in this section

Demonstration

View the classroom demonstration done at City Center Library in Surrey, BC

Additional Resources

Need more information to adapt your lesson plan for the physics of blood flow? Take a look at these credible resources!