Freshman Physics Forays
By John Cramer
()
About this ebook
What I have observed of student struggles with introductory physics, after more than forty years of teaching it, is that learning how to think like a physicist is a much greater challenge than learning the subject matter. Introductory physics courses introduce students not only to content but also to new ways of thinking. The 75 forays of this book are invitations to a wide-ranging exploration of the physical world. A foray Is defined as “a venture or initial attempt in some field” and that describes quite accurately the purposes of these activities. Often off beat, they encourage students to apply quantitative thinking outside the familiar range of standard physics problems. Some are intended for use as in-class activities. Others are better used for in-class or out-of-class group assignments. Still others a perhaps best used as term projects or reports. These forays rarely have any “plug-in” aspects. They require invention and imagination much more than knowledge of specific facts or “laws.”
Use them to "spice up" class work or out-of-class assignments
John Cramer
Dr. John A. Cramer is an emeritus Professor of Physics at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia having earned his PhD. Degree from Texas A&M University. He has some forty years of experience teaching undergraduate physics and physical sciences and has authored numerous popular science articles. An avid outdoorsman and shell collector, his science interests extend well beyond physics.Dr. Cramer’s books include: A Brief History of Physical Science, How Alien Would Aliens Be? Why You Can't Shoot Straight: the basic Science of Shooting and Science Activities for K-5. All these are available in ebook formats. A Brief History of Physical Science, and How Alien Would Aliens Be?, are also available in print at most online retailers.
Read more from John Cramer
A Field Guide to Solving Ordinary Differential Equations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWord Juggling Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Brief History of Physical Science Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Why You Can't Shoot Straight: The Basic Science of Shooting Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Twistor Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Choice of World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSolving Diophantine Problems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Alien Would Aliens Be? Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Science Activities for K-5: For Georgia Performance Standards Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pictorial Ptolemy and Copernicus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Freshman Physics Forays
Related ebooks
The Pictorial Ptolemy and Copernicus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science--from the Baby Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5From Copernicus to Einstein Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRaphael's Horary Astrology by which Every Question Relating to the Future May Be Answered Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAstrology to Astronomy - The Study of the Night Sky from Ptolemy to Copernicus - With Biographies and Illustrations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPtolemy's Almagest Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Discovery of New Worlds Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKepler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHistory of Astronomy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Changing Conceptions of the Universe - From Newton to Einstein - Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Return to Cosmology: Postmodern Science and the Theology of Nature Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mistery of Universe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTerra Firma: the Earth Not a Planet, Proved from Scripture, Reason, and Fact Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Astronomy of the Bible - An Elementary Commentary on the Astronomical References of Holy Scripture Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Tycho Brahe - The Nobel Astronomer - Including a History of Astronomy, a Biography of Brahe and his Discoveries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Journey through the History of Astronomy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary Of "The Roots And The Fruits: Topics Of Philosophy Of Science" By Eduardo Flichman: UNIVERSITY SUMMARIES Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe gradual acceptance of the Copernican theory of the universe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Sun changes its position in space therefore it cannot be regarded as being "in a condition of rest" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeliocentric Astrology or Essentials of Astronomy and Solar Mentality with Tables of Ephemeris to 1913 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAstronomical Lore in Chaucer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMan’s Place in the Universe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGalileo and His Judges Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpecial & General Relativity (Concise Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Unity of the Universe Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKepler Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Journey to the Earths Interior Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Sun and Our Solar System Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Teaching Science & Technology For You
Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Optics For Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Basic Engineering Mechanics Explained, Volume 1: Principles and Static Forces Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Organic Chemistry I For Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chemistry For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Microbiology For Dummies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Organic Chemistry Decoded: Master Orgo with Step-by-Step Solutions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChemistry Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Biology For Dummies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Thermodynamics For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5An Introduction to the Periodic Table of Elements : Chemistry Textbook Grade 8 | Children's Chemistry Books Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Science Warm-Ups, Grades 5 - 8 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Science, Grade 1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Neuroscience For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Airplane Flying Handbook: FAA-H-8083-3C (2024) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chemistry: Concepts and Problems, A Self-Teaching Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Astronomy For Dummies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How to Think Like a Lawyer--and Why: A Common-Sense Guide to Everyday Dilemmas Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5HVAC Electrical for Idiots Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBiology Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Physics II For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I’m Not a Geologist! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Raspberry Pi Electronics Projects for the Evil Genius Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Botany For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chemistry All-in-One For Dummies (+ Chapter Quizzes Online) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anatomy & Physiology Workbook For Dummies with Online Practice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInteractive Notebook: Physical Science, Grades 5 - 8 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Quantum Physics Workbook For Dummies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Freshman Physics Forays
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Freshman Physics Forays - John Cramer
FRESHMAN PHYSICS FORAYS
by
John A. Cramer
Copyright 2019 by John A. Cramer
ISBN 978-0-463-17502-6
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you.
This book is also available in print at most online retailers.
Table of Contents
Using These Forays
Basics
Foray 1. Units as Conventions
Foray 2. Aliens Numbers and Units #1
Foray 3. Aliens Numbers and Units #2
Foray 4. Vector Addition #1
Foray 5. Vector Addition #2
Foray 6. Vector Addition #3
Foray 7. Density and Hardness
Foray 8. Average vs. Instantaneous
Foray 9. Simulacra #1 Emission of Simulacra
Foray 10. Simulacra #2 Absorption of Similacra?
Foray 11. The Mathematics of Projectile Motion
Foray 12. The Mathematics of Uniform Circular Motion
Kinematics
Foray 13. Physical Quantities and Vectors
Foray 14. The Physics of Projectile Motion #1
Foray 15. The Physics of Projectile Motion #2
Foray 16. If the Moon should Fall on Us #1
Dynamics
Foray 17. Aristotle’s Law of Proportional Effects
Foray 18. Newton’s 2nd Law
Foray 19. The Kansas City Disaster
Foray 20. Steady as She Goes! Center of Mass and Stability
Foray 21. The Death Spiral
Foray 22. The Mysterious Sliding Rocks of Death Valley
Foray 23. Don’t Make Waves
Rotation
Foray 24. Slingshot Dragsters
Foray 25. Newton’s 2nd Law for Rotation
Foray 26. How Did Galileo Miss This #1?
Foray 27. When Rolling without Slipping Begins
Foray 28. Bicycle Stability #1
Foray 29. Bicycle Stability #2
Gravitation
Foray 30. Why believe in Heliocentrism?
Foray 31. How Did Galileo Miss This #2?
Foray 32.
Descartes’ Vortex Theory of Planetary Motion
Foray 33. If the Moon should Fall on Us #2
Foray 34. Planet Formation
Foray 35. Will the Moon Escape?
Vibrations, Oscillations and Waves
Foray 36. Oscillation Frequencies
Foray 37. Ship Stability #2
Foray 38. Surface Waves in Water #1
Foray 39. Surface Waves in Water #2
Foray 40. Miss Bright Limericks #1
Foray 41. Rotating Bullet Cohesion
Thermodynamics
Foray 42. Absolute Zero
Foray 43. Does Global Warming Raise Sea Level?
Foray 44. Simulacra #3 Their Thermodynamics
Foray 45. The Thermodynamics of Heaven & Hell
Foray 46. Liebensraum for Atoms?
Foray 47. Cooling Your Coffee
Foray 48. Perpetual Motion Machines
Foray 49. Counting Accessible States
Foray 50. What is the Heart?
Foray 51. Boiling an Ostrich Egg
Fluids
Foray 52. Does Nature Abhor a Vacuum?
Foray 53. Will the Arctic Ice Raise Sea Level as it Melts
Foray 54. Mass of Planetary Atmospheres
Foray 55. Can a Ship Squat?
Foray 56. Sailing into the Wind
Electricity
Foray 57. Electric Field in a Grid of Charges
Foray 58. Energy for the Taking?
Foray 59. Self-Energy Calculation
Foray 60. Gauss’ Law
Magnetism
Foray 61. Effluvia Magnetism
Foray 62. Eddy Current Brakes
Foray 63. Direction of a Magnetic Field
Foray 64. Atomic Stability on a Neutron Star
Optics
Foray 65. Corner Cube Reflector
Foray 66. Mirages
Foray 67. LED Laser Focusing
Foray 68. Chephalopod Eyes #1
Foray 69. Chephalopod Eyes #2
Relativity and Cosmology
Foray 70. Warp Speed #1
Foray 71. Miss Bright Limericks #2
Foray 72. Miss Bright Limericks #3
Foray 73. Warp Speed #2
Foray 74. Invisibility Cloaks
Foray 75. The Steady State Theory and Continuous Creation of Hydrogen
Using These Forays
This is a collection of ideas for teaching introductory physics and introductory calculus-based physics with class activities that I call forays. The dictionary defines a foray as a venture or initial attempt in some field
and that describes quite accurately the purposes of these activities. Physics is most fundamentally a way of thinking. Usually the thinking is about the behavior of matter and energy so one may be tempted to define physics in terms of its usual subject matter but that is a mistake that will very likely lead to poor teaching. What little I understand of student struggles with the subject, after more than forty years of teaching it, is that learning how to think like a physicist is a much greater challenge than learning the subject matter. These forays, accordingly, rarely have any plug-in
aspects. They require invention and imagination much more than knowledge of specific facts or laws.
Statements of the activities are grouped together in text boxes with answers below the textboxes. I have usually copied the text boxes for handing out in class without at the same time giving students the answers. Answers can always be given out later. Note the forays are grouped under broad subject areas to facilitate coordinating them with the order of topics in the course.
These forays vary in style. Some are calculations while others are problems that require experimental procedures be followed or even invented. Some combine theory and experiment. A few are activities that, though they might begin in class, will need group work outside of class to complete. The answers provided can help you to spot these. Long answer activities usually require more time to complete. The level of difficulty also varies. Again, the given answers provide clues to the level of difficulty. Consider using some of these forays as term projects.
I find that activity teaching works best with classes small enough to break up into teacher monitored groups of three or four although some of the activities here may need to be restricted to one apparatus rather more like a demonstration for the entire class. Solutions and answers provided can be doled out piece-wise to keep students engaged if they bog down
in a foray.
John A. Cramer
Basics
Foray 1. Units as Conventions
Units used in measurements are conventions. That is, they are chosen by scientists for convenience and might be other than they are. The choice then necessarily includes a standard that defines the unit. The standard must be reproducible for anyone who needs it (or else convenience is lost).
Break the class into a number of small groups. Each group will decide on its own standard of length. The standard must be an actual object (e.g., the height of the smallest person in the group or the width of a particular book). The group will assign a name to the unit. Standards and names must be unique to the group so the groups will now report these