Can an Oxford Mathematician solve a PHYSICS Olympiad Problem? (with @zhelyo_physics)

Tom Rocks Maths September 17, 2025
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Tom Rocks Maths

@tomrocksmaths

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Dr Tom Crawford - Mathematician at the University of Oxford AND the University of Cambridge, Online Courses at the Oxford Department for Continuing Education, Numberphile Presenter, Naked Mathematician, YouTube 'Creator on the Rise', TEDx Speaker, Countdown, lover of rock music and maths tattoos (15 and counting)... Maths, but not as you know it. https://tomrocksmaths.com/ https://www.facebook.com/tomrocksmaths/ https://twitter.com/tomrocksmaths/ https://www.instagram.com/tomrocksmaths/ https://patreon.com/tomrocksmaths A HUGE thank you to my all of my patrons, but in particular the following: Hiroaki Minato Dr Peet Morris Art Welch Cheung Yuk Shing Lewis Mackay David Silver

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Apply to help train AI systems with Alignerr here: https://www.alignerr.com/?referral-source=tomrocksmaths University of Oxford Mathematician Dr Tom Crawford is challenged by Zhelyo from @zhelyo_physics to try a question from the International Physics Olympiad (IPHO). Part 2 where Zhelyo tries a question from the International Maths Olympiad (IMO) chosen by Tom is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crml7HsLfA0 This video includes a paid sponsorship with Alignerr. The question featured in the video is taken from the 2010 IPHO. You can download a copy of the question to try it for yourself here: https://tomrocksmaths.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ipho_2010_q2.pdf There are many more IPHO questions available here: https://ipho.olimpicos.net/ References for the Chimney Physics question given by the IPHO: W.W. Christie, Chimney design and theory, D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, 1902. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kgk1AAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y Schlaich, J., Bergermann, R., Schiel, W. and Weinrebe, G. (2005) Design of Commercial Solar Updraft Tower Systems—Utilization of Solar Induced Convective Flows for Power Generation. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 127, 117-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.1823493 Produced by Dr Tom Crawford at the University of Oxford. Tom is Public Engagement Lead at Oxford University Lifelong Learning: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/profiles/tom-crawford For more maths content check out Tom's website https://tomrocksmaths.com/ You can also follow Tom on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tomrocksmaths. https://www.facebook.com/tomrocksmaths/ https://twitter.com/tomrocksmaths https://www.instagram.com/tomrocksmaths/ With thanks to Zhelyo @zhelyo_physics St Edmund Hall Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford International Physics Olympiad International Maths Olympiad Support Tom's work via Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/tomrocksmaths