Posted in Physics Phun, tagged DUML Physics, Physheads on December 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
So, the final exam for this lovely group of physics 53 DUML physheads is over, grades have been submitted and students are putting finishing touches on the semester; getting ready to head off for the Holidays. I can’t help submitting the following story relating to Tiger Woods car accident a short time ago:
A Gripping Read
Published
by
Clifford
on [...]
Posted in DUML Physics 53, Physics 53 Content/Resource, Physics Phun, tagged Acoustics on December 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/blue-whale-song-mystery/
My sweet physheads have completed lab activities for the fall Physics 53 course and are now finishing the last of the material for recitation and preparing for the final exam — my how time flies. For the lab on mechanical waves and sound in particular, many students choose to submit a short research blurb about [...]
Posted in DUML Physics 54, Physics Phun, tagged Introductory Physics, Project ideas, Uses for Magnetic Materials on August 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I loved this from the “Evil Mad Scientist” site. While the results of this particular experimental trial were not entirely satisfactory, the whole concept was fun and interesting to consider. Take a look at a most interesting “comment” I found associated with this post. For those who have not checked out their site, do so [...]
Posted in DUML Physics 54, Equipment, Physics Phun, tagged DUML Physics on August 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Last Saturday — wow, has it been a week already? — the Duke Marine Lab hosted an open house and invited folks from the community in to see what we do. This provided a great opportunity to pull out a few of our physics demos and some lab equipment. I decided to run [...]
Posted in Equipment, Physics Phun, tagged DUML Physics, Lab on July 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
We are often discussing “ideal” or “ACME” [think of Wile E Coyote and Road Runner] equipment in class and you may be wondering where one gets such specialized equipment. Well here is a link to THE source – beware – some of it is rather pricey.
http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/ideal/ideal.htm
Posted in Demographics, Physics Phun, Student Population, tagged Physheads on July 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Exam day today. When I arrived at DUML this morning there was a list of quotes on the board — apparently the group needed some comic relief during last nights study session. This is another example of the community which develops here in paradise as sharp students work intensely to master cool physics [...]
Posted in Physics Phun, Student Population, tagged DUML Physics, Physheads on July 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
When I walked into the Repass Lab this morning and plugged in my ipod to listen to some music and begin grading homework sets, I got tickled by what was written on the whiteboard [see pic]. This is indicative of the bonding and intimacy which occurs when a group of people work intensely together [...]
Posted in DUML Physics 54, Equipment, Physics Phun, tagged Conductors, Faraday Cage on July 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
While considering electric fields and conductors, our discussion touched on Faraday cages and I thought it appropriate to grab some great images of some dramatic examples. One involves large Van de Graaff generators at a Boston museum and the other is a Tesla coil.
Posted in DUML Physics 54, Physics Phun, tagged Lab on July 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Our first lab on electrostatics gets us to consider charging by friction, conduction, and induction, conductors and insulators, and work of moving a charged plate through an electric field. We learned that sparks from discharge occur when the air ionizes to create a conducting path like mini-lightning. Here is a picture of a [...]
Posted in DUML Physics 53, Data and Visualization, Physics Phun, tagged DUML Physics on June 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As students study for their final exam today — I thought it appropriate to capture a Wordle moment from Dr. Evans’ Energy 1 notes. Words and equations used in this course represent powerful ideas which have driven progress in science and technology and have served as a foundation to understanding our world. When [...]
