摘要:

A low -cost Global Positioning System (GPS) is used to determine the magnitude of the resultant of two displacement vectors. A physics class takes a field trip to the school’s football field. Then using the GPS, the students mark the corners of the field. The class then compare the calculated measurement of the field’s diagonal to that obtained from the GPS. Information and references are provided concerning the capabilities and limitations of the GPS.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879991

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.1527430

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Among the numerous optical phenomena visible in nature, one encounters the glory, a circular rainbow-like ring surrounding an observer’s antisolar point whose origin lies in the reflection, refraction, and interference of light.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879992

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The notion of an instantaneous frame of reference is implicit in the statement that “a wheel which rolls without slipping rotates about its instantaneous point of contact.” We examine the mathematical conditions defining such frames and argue against their use in teaching introductory dynamics.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879993

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

When observing the spectrum of helium in an introductory physics laboratory, a complete and satisfactory laboratory experience that provides insight into the connection between the observed wavelengths and the structure of the atom, is more difficult to achieve than when observing hydrogen. The reason for this is that a complete diagram of the observed helium spectrum and the accepted wavelengths are much harder to find in readily available references than they are for hydrogen. Using a reference that does provide this information, I have developed what I believe is a more complete and informative experiment on the spectrum of helium that other ! !physics instructors may find useful.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879994

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

When computers and graphic calculators determine a regression line for a data set they do not consider that the initial data point may be more certain than other points. In this paper we find a line of best fit through a known point (0,b).

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879995

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The importance of teaching a clear definition of the “observer” in special relativity is highlighted using a simple astrophysical example from an exciting subject area of current research. Astrophysical applications of special relativity complement idealized examples with real applications and very effectively exemplify the role of a finite light travel time.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879996

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This note describes some insights into relative motion and the Coriolis force not available from a computer or by watching apparatus on a lab bench. They are better seen and experienced as a participant. The apparatus is a 5-m-long rotating frame of reference made from two 8-ft-long plywood carts that can be used in a classroom or lab if the regular furniture is movable or in a hall, commons area, or cafeteria.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879997

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This article describes a lab that verifies the rocket equation derived from Newton’s laws. A novel way of producing constant velocity water from surgical latex tubing is described.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879998

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Here is a problem that, in my opinion, all the texts have wrong. A common amusement-park show consists of a cyclist riding his motorcycle around the inside of a vertical cylinder.

ISSN:0031-921X    

DOI:10.1119/1.879999

出版商:American Association of Physics Teachers    

年代:1998

数据来源: AIP