Up in Smoke: Professor burns cash equivalent of skipping one lecture during in-class demonstration

COURTESY OF WPI COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Last year, WPI physics professor George Phillies wanted to impress upon new freshmen what it costs to "cut a class" at the technological university. Last year's class in Physics 1111, Principles of Physics: Mechanics, found out what the cost would be through a visibly graphic demonstration. The professor piled up dollar bills (equivalent to missing one class) on a grill, added an accelerant and set the money on fire.

The comments ranged from "No way" to "far out" to "unbelievable!" And the demonstration was a success according to the physics professor. "Class cuts were substantially down over previous years," he reported.

The professor's formula for the amount of money to burn: Average cost of tuition at WPI (after financial aid) = $13,180

Average student takes 12.25 classes/year

Physics 1111 meets 40 times

Money burned = $27