http://www.compadre.org/informal/ The latest material additions to the Physics To Go. en-US Copyright 2010, ComPADRE.org editor@physicstogo.org editor@physicstogo.org Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:04:16 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.compadre.org/portal/services/images/LogoSmallInformal.gif http://www.compadre.org/informal/ 125 35 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9904 This New York Times article explains the abnormally cold temperatures in the United States in the winter of 2009 and 2010. The article says a changing pressure pattern called the arctic oscillation is responsible. It also touches on global climate change. Other Sciences/Meteorology http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9904 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:04:16 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9904 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9905 This webpage from the National Snow and Ice Data Center contains a brief summary of the arctic oscillation phenomenon. The text is accompanied by a diagram illustrating the oscillation's effects on global weather. Other Sciences/Meteorology http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9905 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:03:19 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9905 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9906 This article from NPR explains why the effects of global warming may not have been noticeable during the past few years. The article warns that there are several factors, such as ocean currents and atmospheric water vapor levels, that mask the problem of rising global temperatures. Other Sciences/Meteorology http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9906 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:02:05 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9906 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=1064 This online tutorial from the University of New Hampshire gives an overview of the interstellar medium. The tutorial describes what and where the interstellar medium is, how it is studied, and why it is important in astronomy. Numerous images of nebulae are included, and links to related sites provide more information. Astronomy/Milky Way/Interstellar Medium http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=1064 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:15:01 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=1064 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=801 This Windows to the Universe feature from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) provides background information about Pluto, the newly classified dwarf planet. The site provides descriptions of the planet’s composition, atmosphere, moons, and magnetosphere. Myths and culture associated with the planet are included along with an image gallery and links to related sites. Astronomy/Solar System/Pluto http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=801 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:39:23 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=801 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9780 This Earth Observatory image of the day shows the location of the faultline that caused the January 13 Haiti earthquake. The article includes a description of the event and an explanation of what caused the earthquake. It also includes a link to a larger image of the area. Other Sciences/Geoscience http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9780 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:28 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9780 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9781 This page from the San Diego State University contains ten animations illustrating different aspects of earthquake movements underground, as well as ways to protect one's home from earthquake damage. Quicktime is required to view the animations. Other Sciences/Geoscience http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9781 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:12:06 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9781 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=5645 Galaxy Zoo is an ongoing research project to classify millions of galaxies. The website has a short tutorial to teach the user how to classify the galaxies. Once they have passed a trial proving their ability, they are allowed to create an account and save their classifications to Galaxy Zoo's database. The images being classified come from the SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey). Astronomy/Galaxies http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=5645 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:50:22 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=5645 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9764 This site from Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands discusses research in magnetic levitation. It mentions three types of magnetic levitation and contains accompanying pictures and links to research papers. The site offers several explanations of the physics involved to accommodate users of varying backgrounds. Electricity & Magnetism/Magnetic Fields and Forces/Magnetic Fields http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9764 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:49:45 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9764 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9765 This article from the University of Wisconsin is part of a series on nano topics devoted to ferrofluids. The article describes what ferrofluids are and discusses how they are produced, along with possible applications. There are also several images of ferrofluids being manipulated with magnets. Electricity & Magnetism/Magnetic Materials http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9765 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:47:45 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9765 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9766 This article is a basic introduction to concepts and applications of magnetism. The article highlights the history of discoveries in magnetism, and it includes many pictures of demonstrations. Electricity & Magnetism/Magnetic Fields and Forces http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9766 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:46:49 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9766 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9767 This Exploratorium page links to several magnetism activities that you can do at home. Some snacks include manipulating a grape with magnets, creating a magnetic field stronger than the Earth's, and building a motor. Some materials for these snacks may be hard to find. Electricity & Magnetism/Magnetic Fields and Forces http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9767 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:45:53 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9767 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9742 Visit this site to learn about LaserFest, the year-long celebration of the laser in 2010. The site contains information about the invention and applications of the laser, and lists LaserFest events taking place in 2010. Optics/Modern Optics/Lasers http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9742 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:17:21 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9742 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9739 This article from Optics.org covers research in using laser speckle imaging techniques to map blood-flow velocity through tissue. The article discusses applications of the technology and explains the basic physics behind laser speckle imaging. Optics/Modern Optics/Lasers http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9739 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:16:40 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9739 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9741 This University of Michigan press release covers the U-M HERCULES laser, said to have produced the most intense beam of light ever recorded. The article discusses the laser's abilities and possible applications for the technology in the future. Optics/Modern Optics/Lasers http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9741 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:15:35 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9741 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9719 This SolStation article provides basic information about the Andromeda Galaxy. It includes multiwavelength images, the history of discovery, and recent research developments. Astronomy/Galaxies http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9719 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:01:46 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9719 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9720 This HubbleSite press release features the famous Hubble Deep Field image. It describes how the picture was taken and explains its significance. Astronomy/Galaxies http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9720 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9720 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9678 This article from Caltech describes how maple seeds spin as they fall to the ground. It also goes into the applications behind the research and includes a link to a video of the air around a spinning seed. Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics of Fluids/Vorticies http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9678 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:57:33 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9678 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9679 This article from Harvard Magazine describes the development of the robotic fly. It discusses the history of the research and possible future applications of the technology. It also links to a video of the robotic fly in flight. Other Sciences/Engineering http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9679 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:56:44 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9679 http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9680 This article from the University of Oxford covers the research analyzing the wings of a hoverfly in flight. It includes a video of the hoverfly and still images of the wings. Other Sciences/Engineering http://www.compadre.org/informal/bulletinboard/Thread.cfm?ID=9680 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:55:48 EST http://www.compadre.org/informal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9680