New PSRC collection resources

Boston University Physics Easy Java Simulation: Free Body Diagrams

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:05:58 EST

This simulation offers users the opportunity to sketch free-body diagrams relating to a one-dimensional situation. Two boxes are stacked one atop the other. The bottom box rests on the floor of an elevator, which may be at rest, moving with constant velocity, or accelerating. The task for the user is to sketch free-body diagrams for the top box, the bottom box, and the two-box system. This applet was created with EJS, Easy Java Simulations, a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations.

Rail Gun Model

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:07:12 EST

The EJS Rail Gun Model simulates a rail gun created by running current through long rods generating a magnetic field that accelerates a current-carrying cross-rod. The simulation shows the generated magnetic field. Users can adjust the current in the rails and rod as well as the spacing between the rails. You can modify this simulation if you have Ejs installed by right-clicking within the plot and selecting “Open Ejs Model” from the pop-up menu item. The Rail Gun model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (Ejs) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_em_RailGun.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. Ejs is a part of the Open Source Physics Project and is designed to make it easier to access, modify, and generate computer models. Additional Ejs models are available. They can be found by searching ComPADRE for Open Source Physics, OSP, or Ejs.

Fear of Physics: Homework Help

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:43:06 EST

The Homework Help section of the Fear of Physics website provides solutions to a number of common physics problems for students of algebra-based introductory physics courses. A solution to each problem is provided in either text or video format. The solutions allow students to see examples of how to solve problems similar to those they may see on their homework.

Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:38:45 EST

This series of video lectures covers a wide range of current topics in astronomy and astrophysics given by leading scientists in their fields. These are recorded from regular Wednesday lectures given at Foothill College.

American Modeling Teachers Association

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:02:56 EST

This is the web site home for the American Modeling Teachers Association, and organization run by and for teachers who use modeling instruction in their classroom. Modeling instruction organizes science content around a small number of of scientific models, and uses a structured inquiry approach to teaching science content and skills. This web site includes information about the Association, Modeling workshops, and discussions regarding science education. Members of the AMTA have access to Modeling teaching resources.

Physics Education Research User's Guide

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:39:39 EST

The Physics Education Research User's Guide is a web resource providing physics educators with information on research-based methods for teaching and learning. This resource helps teachers and faculty apply the results of physics education research (PER) and teaching methods based on these results. Users can browse through dozens of teaching methods and resources, organized by type of instruction and class, research basis, topic, and similar information. The Guide provides an overview of the each method with references and related teaching strategies. The web site also provides further information about PER and a wide range of reference material and connections to the PER Community.

The Physics Classroom: Vectors - Fundamentals and Operations

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:24:36 EST

This interactive tutorial provides comprehensive help and practice in understanding vector quantities. It is organized into six sections: vector direction, vector addition, resultants, components, vector resolution, and component addition. It closes with relative velocity and riverboat problems, plus a discussion of the interdependence of perpendicular components of motion. Each section explains a topic and provides exercises for learner self-assessment. Images, animations, and graphs are placed throughout to illustrate the concepts.

Particle Worldline Model

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:09:00 EST

The Particle Worldline model computes and displays the trajectory of a test particle in the vicinity of a black hole using Schwarzschild coordinates. It was created for the study of Einstein's theory of general relativity and the Schwarzschild metric. The model has input fields displaying the Schwarzschild coordinates and their rates of change as well as the energy E and and angular momentum L of the particle. Conservation laws and the speed of light impose restrictions on the dynamical variables and these restrictions are enforced when entering values or dragging the particle. For example, if a user changes the default value of dr/dt to 10, the model automatically reduces the value to 0.685 because the particle speed cannot exceed the speed of light c=1. The Particle Worldline model a supplemental simulation for the article "When action is not least for orbits in general relativity" by C. G. Gray and Eric Poisson in the American Journal of Physics 79(1), 43-55 (2011) and has been approved by the authors and the American Journal of Physics (AJP) editor. The simulation was developed using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool and is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_gr_ParticleWorldline.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.

Ejs Simultaneity Model

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:25:50 EST

The Ejs Simultaneity model displays the effect of relative motion on the relative ordering of the detection of events. The wave source and two equidistant detectors are at rest in reference frame S', which moves with constant velocity, v, in frame S. The initial relative velocity as well as whether the wave source emits sound waves or light can be changed. You can modify this simulation if you have Ejs installed by right-clicking within the plot and selecting “Open Ejs Model” from the pop-up menu item. Ejs Simultaneity model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (Ejs) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_ehu_sr_simultaneity.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. Ejs is a part of the Open Source Physics Project and is designed to make it easier to access, modify, and generate computer models. Additional Ejs models for special relativity are available. They can be found by searching ComPADRE for Open Source Physics, OSP, or Ejs.

Bad Astronomy: Death by Meteorite

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:10:48 EST

This page is a blog post that explains what the odds are of being killed by a meteorite impact. Because of the wide-spread damage that would occur from a meteorite of significant size, the possibility is not insignificant. The author compares these odds to other unlikely events and includes ideas on how the government could help lower these odds.

Paradigms in Physics Classical Mechanics: Central Forces on an Airtable

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:06:40 EST

This student activity is designed to help upper division undergraduate students work with central forces in classical mechanics. A hockey puck is tethered to the center of an air-hockey table, and the students observe the motion of the hockey puck, allowing them to observe the effects of central forces on the puck. Students are asked to plot the potential energy graph of the hockey puck. An instructor's guide is available to help guide the activity along with the student handout. This material is part of the Paradigms in Physics project at Oregon State University. This work promotes the use of active student learning in upper division physics courses. Both learning materials and learning strategies are provided to help both students and instructors.

The Doppler Effect

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:50:20 EST

This Flash animation provides a simulation of the Doppler effect. The user can change the speed of the wave source and can move a microphone to detect the wave frequency at different points relative to the moving source. The resulting wave pattern can be both observed and heard. Instructional notes outlining the details of the Doppler effect are provided. This material is part of a web site for a second semester physics course for majors covering gravity, fluids, waves, and thermodynamics.

Molecular Expressions: Electricity and Magnetism - Generators and Motors

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:55:23 EST

This web page is an introductory tutorial on generators and motors. It explains how current flows through a conductor and how motors change electric energy into mechanical energy. The latter half of the tutorial illustrates both AC and DC current generators and motors, with graphs to show the current wave cycles of both. This resource is part of the Molecular Expressions project at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University.

Atomic Force Microscopy

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:28:04 EST

This website contains a series of videos describing the operation of Atomic Force Microscopes. These videos include outlines of microscopy, models of AFM's, and examples of the operation and output of real microscopes. Also included are student activities and curricular resources for teachers. This is one of a series of similar modules on Nanotechnology produced by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center on Hierarchical Manufacturing.

Using Direct Measurement Video to Teach Physics

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:24:25 EST

This teaching method description outlines the use of videos for active learning in introductory physics classes. Direct Measurement Videos show events that students can analyze using physics concepts. Grids, rulers, frame-counters and other overlays allow students to make measurements from the video. Students use these measurements to answer questions and solve problems. These questions can be used with inquiry-based learning or modeling instruction. This material includes best practices for using these videos, a library of videos, and example class activities. This material is part of Pedagogy in Action, a library of resources for educators provided by SERC, the Science Education Resource Center.

Penn State Astronomy 11 Laboratory Manual

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:48:31 EST

This laboratory manual provides student activities and observations for a college-level general astronomy courses. Topics covered include naked-eye astronomy, spectroscopy, distance measurements, and stellar evolution.

Arkansas Conceptual Electricity and Magnetism: Conceptual Inventory Construction and Self-Testing Site

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:07:04 EST

This web site can be used to access self-tests and build conceptual inventories on topics in electricity and magnetism. The topics covered range from charges and electrostatics to circuits, magnetic fields, and electro-magnetic waves. In self-test mode, a learner can access concept quizzes consisting of 5 multiple choice questions covering a selected topic. Questions are pulled from an extensive question database. These quizzes are graded, solutions provided, and a cumulative score kept for each session. In Concept Inventory mode, an instructor or learner can build concept quizzes from the question database. In building these quizzes, the number of questions, topics covered, and specific questions can all be selected. The resultant quizzes can be printed, solutions created, or downloaded for import into the Blackboard Course Management System.

The Physics Classroom: Newton's Laws

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:54:39 EST

This web site contains a number of tutorials relating to Newton's Laws. Each tutorial explains a subject and provides exercises to test the user's understanding. Some are accompanied by images, animations or graphs to illustrate the concepts. Among the subjects are the meaning and types of forces (i.e. action at a distance and contact forces) and Newton's First, Second and Third Laws.

Global Physics Department

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:54:12 EST

The Global Physics Department is an online community of physics educators using social media to explore topics in physics and physics education. The activities of the group includes weekly online discussions and asynchronous communications through blogs and twitter. Participation in these activities is free and open to all.

Nanotechnology Educational Modules

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:59:39 EST

This site contains modules that include videos explaining basic techniques of microscopy, nano fabrication, and a section on concepts of magnetism. Some documentation is provided, including teacher's guides and student activities. Modules are based on flash videos of human narrators, simulations, and equipment and experiments.