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Dec 2003

Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 508-554

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Physics First

Marcelo Alonso

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 508 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.40.E- Science in school

More Physics First

Art Hobson

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 508 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.40.E- Science in school

Still More Physics First

Joel Rauber

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 509 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.40.E- Science in school

Benefits of a “Cheat Sheet”

David I. Cone

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 509 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
01.40.E- Science in school
01.50.Kw Techniques of testing

Archimedes' Principle and the FCI

John Harper

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 510

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.50.Kw Techniques of testing
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Intermediate French

Karl C. Mamola

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 512

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
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Normal Forces

Paul Hewitt

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 514

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.50.-i Educational aids
01.55.+b General physics
45.50.Dd General motion
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Coriolis Force on Your Arms

Robert Johns

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 516

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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The Coriolis force is a sideward force that acts on a rotating object as it moves toward or away from the center of rotation. It is important to long-range artillery and the formation of tornados, but we seldom experience this force on a human scale, unless we play on a merry-go-round or similar apparatus.1 This note describes a simple activity that lets us see the effect of the Coriolis force on our outstretched arms as they fall down to our sides while we rotate.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
45.50.Dd General motion
45.20.D- Newtonian mechanics

An Elementary Solution for a Difficult Motion Problem

Daniel A. Martínez and Santiago L. Queiro

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 518

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Essentially geometrical arguments are applied to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem.
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
45.50.Dd General motion
45.20.D- Newtonian mechanics

Force on the Dielectric in a Parallel Plate Capacitor

Paul Gluck

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 521 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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An interesting problem on the subject of dielectrics concerns the force exerted by a parallel plate capacitor maintained at constant voltage on a dielectric slab inserted between its plates. Energy methods are used1 to calculate the attractive force, which depends on the square of the electric field, the plate area, and the relative permittivity εr. A version of this problem is the calculation of the attractive force that pulls a liquid dielectric into vertical parallel plates dipped into the dielectric liquid. In some textbooks2 this is posed as an end-of-chapter problem, but in fact it may serve as the basis for a determination of the dielectric constant of a liquid, as described in Ref. 3, which also contains a derivation of the dependence of the height h to which the liquid rises on the voltage V (see Appendix): h = mathV2, where ρ is the density and d the plate separation. Here we shall describe a less sophisticated version of this method, using a homemade apparatus that can be used to demonstrate the effect. With some care it can be turned into a laboratory exercise in which students build the apparatus themselves (apart from the high-voltage supply) and measure the height as a function of the voltage.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
84.32.Tt Capacitors
77.22.-d Dielectric properties of solids and liquids

Using Computer-Generated Animations as an Aid in Teaching Wave Motion and Sound

Marvin De Jong

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 524 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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When students encounter the mathematics of wave motion, they are at a new level of mathematical sophistication, a step up from kinematics formulas and F = ma. We have found that graphing the equations of wave motion and producing animations of various aspects of wave motion on a computer, coupled with live examples of the same phenomena, are helpful in understanding the mathematics of wave motion and connecting it to the real world. Without some real-world examples, the kind of work described here, although quite visual, is not terribly exciting to students jaded by computer games and television. Simultaneously relating the mathematics of wave motion to the computer graphics and to demonstrations of the same or similar phenomena seems to have a more dramatic and long-lasting effect than using either by itself. This article describes the graphics and animations that we generate with a computer algebra system (CAS), namely, Mathematica. Other software can also produce animations.1,2 Although many students have seen functions and graphs that involve trig functions in mathematics classes, they may not have connected them to the topic of wave motion. A CAS or spreadsheet animation utilizes the power of a computer to help make this connection clear. Finally, achieving the same results by asking students to graph functions with paper and pencil is clearly impossible, although some of the pencil and paper activities described by Arnold Arons3 are both realizable and extremely useful.
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01.50.ht Instructional computer use
01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
43.20.-f General linear acoustics

A Student-Centered Interactive Color Quiz

Edward P. Wyrembeck

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 531

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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This year I wanted to get my conceptual physics students more actively involved in their study of color addition and subtraction, so I decided to develop an interactive color quiz that I could use throughout the unit. I use the electron oscillator model to explain the emission, reflection, and absorption of light at the atomic level. My quiz is an extension of an activity I read about in The Physics Teacher on an “Interactive Spectra Demonstration.”1 It requires only some spray-painted tennis balls (red, green, and blue) and whatever color of clothing the students wear to class.
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
42.25.-p Wave optics

Testing a Model for Sliding Motion on an Incline

Brian E. Martin and Martin Connors

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 534

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Physics is all about making models of how the world works. Communicating this to students is an important part of what we do as physics educators. In this paper we describe a simple apparatus and experiment that can be used to investigate sliding motion on an incline. Such motion is realistic and tangible yet easily analyzed with modern equipment and techniques. Data obtained can be used to introduce students to the use of two-parameter fitting to test a simple physical model. It also provides an accurate experimental determination of the local acceleration of gravity and a coefficient of friction.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
46.55.+d Tribology and mechanical contacts

A Simple Apparatus for Optical Polarization Experiments

Kelly Krieble and Joseph L. Powlette

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 537 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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The phenomenon of polarization is usually covered, although very briefly, in most introductory college and high school physics classes. Experiments such as Malus's law are often performed with inexpensive linear polarization filters or lenses from polarized sunglasses. Investigations of more complex forms of polarization, using retarders such as quarter-wave plates (QWPs) and half-wave plates (HWPs), are often omitted because the acquisition of equipment necessary for multiple setups can be cost-prohibitive. We present here a simple rotational apparatus for accurate polarization measurements and applications using inexpensive substitutes of QWP and HWP for use with common laser wavelengths.
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42.25.Ja Polarization
01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus

Computer Simulation of Radioactive Decay

Kenneth E. Jesse

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 542 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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The straightforward way to determine the half-life of a radioactive substance is to measure its activity in each of a series of time intervals, plot the data as a function of the accumulated time on semilog paper, and then measure the slope of the graph. A computer simulation of this procedure follows based on material presented in Clifford E. Swartz's excellent book, Used Math.1 He presents a very fine mathematical derivation of the exponential law of decay for radioactive atoms in Chapter 4. A brief summary follows using his notation and equation numbers.
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01.50.ht Instructional computer use
01.50.Lc Laboratory computer use
23.00.00 Radioactive decay and in-beam spectroscopy

Telemetry in the Classroom

Yaakov Kraftmakher

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 544 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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“Telecommunications” means communication at a distance and includes radio and television, mobile telephony, telemetry, and so on. The information to be transmitted must cause modulation of a high-frequency carrier. In amplitude-modulation (AM), the amplitude of a high-frequency carrier is varied in response to a low-frequency signal. A recent paper described a laboratory experiment for learning the principles of radio.1 The experiment described below demonstrates the telemetry of measurement data. The telemetry system includes a laser or a light-emitting diode with a light guide and is used for remote temperature measurements.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
01.55.+b General physics
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Force on Current-Carrying Wire

Frank Weichman

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 547 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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We describe a small, portable device to be used as a variant on the demonstration of the force on a current-carrying wire.
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
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The Mysterious Rolling Pop Can

Gordon R. Gore

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 548

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
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A center of gravity demonstration [Phys. Teach. 15, 241 (April 1977)]

Terrence P. Toepker

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 549

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus
45.40.-f Dynamics and kinematics of rigid bodies
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Rocket From the Pocket

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 550

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.Fk Research in physics education

Spinning the Reel

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 550

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.40.Fk Research in physics education

High Jump

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 550

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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01.40.Fk Research in physics education
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Recognizing Excellence in Teaching

Patricia Blanton, Column Editor

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 551

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Each year since 1993, the AAPT has shown its appreciation of excellence in teaching at the pre-college and college levels by selecting two teachers who have made outstanding contributions to physics teaching. The recipients, AAPT members whose primary responsibility is teaching, are chosen to give a lecture at the AAPT National Summer Meeting. In addition, the teachers receive an award of $2000, travel expenses to the meeting, and a certificate. The knowledge and experience of these teachers offer opportunities for beginning teachers to “learn from the masters.” Here are some brief introductions to the honorees from the last two years and some comments from them that you might find helpful.
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01.40.G- Curricula and evaluation
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The University of Maryland Physics Lecture-Demonstration Facility, http:∕∕www.physics.umd.edu∕lecdem

Richard E. Berg

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 553

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.30.Xx Publications in electronic media
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Matter & Interactions I: Modern Mechanics and Matter & Interactions II: Electric & Magnetic Interactions, by Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood

Joe Heafner, Reviewer and John L. Hubisz, Column Editor

The Physics Teacher -- December 2003 -- Volume 41, Issue 9, pp. 554

Online Publication Date: Nov 2003

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Abstract Unavailable
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01.30.Vv Book reviews
01.30.mp Textbooks for undergraduates
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