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American Journal of Physics

The Physics Teacher»
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SECTION LISTING

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
FIGURING PHYSICS
PAPERS
APPARATUS FOR TEACHING PHYSICS
TRICK OF THE TRADE
LITTLE GEMS
FROM OUR FILES
PHYSICS CHALLENGES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
FOR THE NEW TEACHER
WEBSIGHTS
BOOK REVIEWS
IN MY OPINION

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Volume 42

Issue 9 | Dec 2004 | pp. 516-562

Issue 8 | Nov 2004 | pp. 452-512

Issue 7 | Oct 2004 | pp. 387-448

Issue 6 | Sep 2004 | pp. 324-384

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Nov 2004

Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 452-512

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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X-ray Shoe Fitter

Andrew DePino, Jr.

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 452

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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87.59.C-	Fluoroscopy
07.85.-m	X- and γ-ray instruments

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Friction on a “Horizontal” Plane

Bruce Barnett

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 452

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.60.+q	Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries

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Author's Response

David Keeports

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 452

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.60.+q	Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries
01.40.E-	Science in school

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Getting to Know Our Students

Frank Lock

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 453

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.60.+q	Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries

EDITORIAL

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Weighing Hogs

Karl C. Mamola

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 454

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.-d	Education
01.50.-i	Educational aids

FIGURING PHYSICS

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Strong Man and Horses

Paul Hewitt

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 456

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Kw	Techniques of testing

PAPERS

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Simple Experiments to Study the Earth's Magnetic Field

Farhang Amiri and Rondo N. Jeffery

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 458 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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A set of simple experiments is outlined for determining the magnetic field of the Earth. These experiments can be performed by students from high school to college and will help them gain a greater appreciation of the three-dimensional nature for the Earth's magnetic field. Reasonably accurate measurements of the field strength, its components, and dip angle are possible through use of a transparent solenoid, a compass, and a Magnaprobe.

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01.40.G-	Curricula and evaluation
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

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Demonstration of Beats with a Double-Driven String

Christine Carmichael and Steven Smith

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 462

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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This unique demonstration is a novel way of presenting the concept of constructive and destructive interference and the resulting beat notes. The visual impact reinforces the auditory variation in intensity and is more obvious.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

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Robert Jemison “Tee” Van de Graaff: From Football Fields to Electric Fields

M. Talmage Graham and James Young

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 463 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Robert Van de Graaff's three older brothers made the family name famous in football, and it seemed that Robert was also headed toward being a sports star. Unfortunately, his football career was cut short by an injury. However, it is interesting to note that principles involved in his most memorable invention have some remarkable analogs in that sport. Few details of Robert's early life have heretofore been published. The purpose of this paper, during the 75th anniversary year of the invention of the Van de Graaff generator, is to provide some of this interesting historical background.

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01.60.+q	Biographies, tributes, personal notes, and obituaries
01.65.+g	History of science

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Physics Outreach for WYP

Julie Conlon

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 468 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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The year 2005 has been designated The World Year of Physics (WYP). The purpose of this paper is to give some examples of how physicists at all levels may help to make the WYP a success in bringing physics to the general public. Specifically, I want to share some of the ideas and techniques that have been developed as a part of Purdue University's School of Science outreach program. An important facet of this program is PEARLS (Physics Educational Actvities, Resources and Learning Strategies). PEARLS views outreach as a “menu” of options to meet various needs and requests, whether they come from schools, scout groups, nursing homes, etc. (see Fig. 1). We've presented to all!

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01.75.+m	Science and society
01.40.-d	Education

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Can a Spring Beat the Charges?

Michael Partensky and Peretz D. Partensky

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 472 | Cited 4 times

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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This paper describes the properties of a simple system consisting of two charges, one of which is fixed while the second one, of variable charge q, is suspended on an insulated spring. When the interaction between the charges is attractive and the absolute value of q increases, the system exhibits complex “catastrophic” behavior resulting in a sudden collapse in response to a tiny variation of q near a “critical”value.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

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A Simple Device for Exploring Optical Activity

Giuseppe Colicchia

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 478 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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When plane-polarized light passes through an optically active material, the plane of polarization is rotated. The angle of rotation depends on the material, its temperature, and the wavelength of the light. It may also be affected by the electric and magnetic fields to which the sample is subjected. In this paper we describe a simple spinning analyzer technique that may be used to study the optical activities of materials. After passing through the sample, a polarized light beam is directed through a continuously rotating polarizing sheet (analyzer). A light detector is used to sense the intensity of the light exiting the analyzer, and the resulting signal may be displayed on an oscilloscope or computer screen and observed by many students simultaneously. With our setup we can make continuous measurements of the rotation angle and can also impressively demonstrate Malus' law.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

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Determining the Heat Capacity Ratio of Air from “Almost Adiabatic” Compressions

Dennis E. Krause and Walter J. Keeley

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 481 | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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In this paper we demonstrate that the observed discrepancy between the measured and expected values of the heat capacity ratio γ = C_P∕C_V for air obtained using the PASCO Adiabatic Gas Law Apparatus¹ is due primarily to the finite compression time in the experiment. We devised an empirical method for obtaining a more accurate value of γ using this apparatus, which should be adaptable to other methods of measuring γ that use approximately adiabatic processes.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

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Exponential Versus Linear Amplitude Decay in Damped Oscillators

M. I. Molina

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 485 | Cited 6 times

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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The problem of oscillatory motion is, without any doubt, one of the main topics in physics from elementary up to advanced courses. An understanding of this motion is also relevant in many areas outside physics, including chemistry, biology, engineering, medical research, and economics to name a few. In physics, students encounter oscillatory behavior in classical mechanics, electricity, optics, and later in quantum mechanics.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

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Using the Stock Market to Teach Physics

David A. Faux and Stephen Hearn

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 488

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Students are interested in money. Personal finance is an important issue for most students, especially as they move into university education and take a greater control of their own finances. Many are also interested in stock markets and their ability to allow someone to make, and lose, large sums of money, with their interest fueled by the boom in technology-based stocks of 2000∕2001 followed by their subsequent dramatic collapse and the publicizing of so-called “rogue-traders.” There is also a much greater ownership of stocks by families following public offerings, stock-based savings products, and the ability to trade stocks online. Consequently, there has been a steady growth of finance and finance-related courses available within degree programs in response to the student demand, with many students motivated by the huge salaries commanded by those with a successful career in the financial sector. We report here details of a joint project between Charterhouse School and the University of Surrey designed to exploit the excitement of finance to teach elements of the high school (age 16–18) curriculum through modeling and simulation.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.ht	Instructional computer use

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Ready, SET, Go!

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 493 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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If there is one thing that physics educators are likely to agree on, it is the notion that learning problem-solving skills is one of the primary goals of physics education. In this article, I propose a set of problem-solving approaches—and separately, a set of related teaching strategies—based on the research project that I have recently completed.¹

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.40.Fk	Research in physics education

APPARATUS FOR TEACHING PHYSICS

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Classroom Demonstration of Magnetic Force

Yaakov Kraftmakher

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 500 | Cited 2 times

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Some classroom demonstrations are possible with the use of a data-acquisition system. One such demonstration is described below. The magnetic force acting on a current-carrying conductor is measured as a function of the flowing current. The demonstration consists of weighing a straight current-carrying conductor subjected to a uniform magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The magnetic force acting on the conductor shows the influence of the magnetic field on moving electric charges. For the demonstration, one needs a force sensor and a sensor measuring the current flowing through the conductor. Both sensors are connected to a data-acquisition system. The demonstration gives better understanding of the magnetic force acting on a current-carrying conductor, as well as on moving electric charges.

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

TRICK OF THE TRADE

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The Falling Card

Dragia Trifonov Ivanov

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 502

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus
01.40.E-	Science in school

LITTLE GEMS

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Mini-Laser Spirograph

Keith Bellof

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 504

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

FROM OUR FILES

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Reaction time as measured by balancing a stick

H. T. Hudson

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 506

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

PHYSICS CHALLENGES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

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A New Kid on the Block

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 507

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.My	Demonstration experiments and apparatus

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Breaking Uneven

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 507

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

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A Vicious Semicircle

Boris Korsunsky

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 507

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Abstract Unavailable

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01.40.E-	Science in school
01.50.Pa	Laboratory experiments and apparatus

FOR THE NEW TEACHER

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Letter to Grandma

Jim Hicks

The Physics Teacher -- November 2004 -- Volume 42, Issue 8, pp. 508 | Cited 1 time

Online Publication Date: Oct 2004

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Each year at the Summer Meeting, AAPT honors the contributions of exceptional physics teachers by presenting Excellence in Teaching awards. This year's winner for Excellence in Pre-College Teaching is James (Jim) Hicks from Barrington High School in Barrington, IL. In his acceptance speech, Jim described his primary goal in teaching as encouraging students to be “drivers instead of passengers” on the road to learning physics. As he shared techniques designed to move students from concrete reasoning to abstract thinking and problem solving, I quickly saw why he was being recognized for excellence in teaching. I don't think a student could be in Jim's class and not discover the fun in physics while developing an understanding of the relevance of physics principles to everyday life. Described below is one of Jim's favorite assessment techniques.

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