Outline for Physics 420 Demonstrations Course
September 2008 - April 2009
Timing and Credit
We will assume the course is taken for three credits and will take two semesters, starting in September.
Calendar
Date Activity Marks
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early Sep Orientation Meeting -
mid Sep Choice of Demo (One page written report) -
mid Oct Oral Report to Group (20 minutes) -
Written proposal (5 pages plus plans) 25%
Jan/Feb Presentation to the class 25%
Feb/March Presentation at schools and/or community groups 25%
Before end of classes Formal report to be posted on the web 25%
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We will all meet formally once a week. This is to kick ideas around and keep everything on track. This is a highly participatory course and students must attend weekly meetings.
Ideas
You can pursue your own ideas, but we have the following partially developed equipment:
- Data acquisition and control cards on the computers
- Position analysis equipment (accuracy 0.1mm in 5m range, 100 Hz sampling rate).
- IR camera
- Triggered flash system
- The set of sensors and interface from Vernier including the Physics LabPro Deluxe package, 3-axis accelerometer, gas pressure sensor, sound level meter and more (see their webpage http://www.vernier.com/physics/index.html)
Please have a look at the demonstrations from the previous years!
What we will look for in marking
- Physics content
- Quality of construction of demo(s)
- Depth of understanding
- Communication skills
- Attention grabbing presentation
- Enthusiasm
- Concise but complete written report in .html
- Demo left in orderly and annotated fashion in a sturdy box ready for further use by faculty, other students or high school teachers.
Note!
Timing is of the essence; if equipment or materials have to ordered, expect a month's delay before delivery. Try and time these delays when loads are heaviest in other courses. Early definition of the project is essential; avoid excessive and time-consuming optimization.
Inquiries to:
Andrzej Kotlicki
kotlicki@physics.ubc.ca
Hebb 11A (office), or Hennings 111 (lab)
Phone:822-3645 or 822-6843