Talks for the Fall 2008 Meeting
The Fall Meeting of the CSAAPT will be held
at
Tidewater Community College in
Virginia Beach Virginia. Registration will begin Saturday at 8 am
in the Science Building. A physics demonstration session will kick
off the meeting at 8:30 am, followed by contributed papers. A
business meeting will take place following lunch. The local
organizer of this meeting is David Wright (757-822-7307),
dwright@tcc.edu. A map of the TCC campus is
here. The meeting registration fee will be $10.
"Hangin' with Isaac and Henri: Chaotic Behavior in Simple Systems,"
William H. Ingham, Department of Physics and Astronomy, James
Madison University
Abstract: Simple systems can exhibit chaotic motion. We
discuss the behavior of three systems: the simple pendulum (P),
the spherical pendulum (SP), and the double pendulum (DP).
Results (including video clips) will be shown from computational
and experimental work of several undergraduate students.
"Spreadsheet
physics: examples in meteorology and planetary science," Rhett
Herman, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Radford University
Abstract:
Spreadsheets are powerful tools that may be used at a number of
levels for instruction. In physics they lend themselves to
programming when first order differential equations are written
as finite-difference equations. This makes such systems of
equations accessible to undergraduates who are not conversant
with programming languages. This talk will detail two examples
that I have assigned and from which students have even admitted
learning (in writing!). The example from meteorology is an
atmospheric model using realistic non-linear equations for input
and output to the one-layer atmosphere and the ground. Students
may adjust the parameters and see the model evolve iteratively
using the "iterations" capability of Excel. The example from
planetary science focuses on building a planet assuming an ideal
gas equation of state. This leads to a model "planet" that is
comparable to Neptune to within an order of magnitude.
Modifications of this model will be discussed.
"A Physics Workshop for K-6 Teachers," Harold
Geller, George Mason University
Abstract: I will discuss my
involvement in a teacher workshop for Alexandria City Public
School teachers, grades 1-6. The workshop was led by the Center
for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology (CREST) at
GMU with support from a physics professor, a high school Earth
science teacher, and a science coordinator for an Alexandria
elementary school. I will review the format adapted and some of
the hands-on work, lectures and personal response system used
within the workshop.
"Use of an Online Homework System and Its
Effect on Student Learning and Grades," Brett Taylor, Department of
Chemistry and Physics, Radford University
Abstract: Over the past two
years, the use of an online homework system has been implemented
in the introductory algebra-based physics class at Radford
University. This system replaced a traditional paper-based
weekly homework which was hand-graded. In this talk, the
results and effects of switching to this homework system will be
discussed as well as a few problems that were encountered along
the way.
"Geometry for relativity," Lincoln E.
Bragg, Raytheon Corporation
Abstract: I am thinking of a
kind of student who relates well to images and descriptions of
physical situations, but does not respond easily to elaborate
algebraic expressions. However, he or she can be motivated to
learn the minimum of differential geometry one would need in
order to understand the current physical ideas about why the
earth goes around the sun. Such a student may well be attracted
and held from dropping out by talk of black holes and exotic
effects, but will also feel satisfied by reaching an
understanding of the immediate surrounding world.
"Optical Images Formed by Lenses & Mirrors"
by Carl E. Mungan, U.S. Naval Academy
Abstract: I will review the
properties of real and virtual images formed by lenses and
mirrors, summarizing key information in tables, diagrams, and
rules of thumb. The utility of the results will be demonstrated
by working through some simple examples and practical
applications.
"Phony Physics," David Wright, Tidewater
Community College
Abstract: There is a lot of
physics misinformation available. Some of it is a scam, some is
delivered purposely tongue in cheek. I'll discuss how this
misinformation can be a valuable teaching tool.
If you
have questions about our organization, meetings or anything else please
do not hesitate to contact any of our officers.
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