Physics Resources on the Web

Chaz Ruggieri

November 7th, 2013

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Learning Goals

From this presentation, you will (hopefully):

1) Gain exposure to (a small sample of) the wealth of free online

resources for physics education, to use in your teaching positions.

2) Learn how to effectively use of physics simulations in class and in

homework assignments.

3) Make use of social media as a path for physics education

enrichment inside and outside the classroom.

4) Realize the role of social media blogs and videos in transforming

physics into something accessible to the general public.
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Resources for the Classroom
Moving Man
Collisions
PhET
Springs with Masses
Energy Skate Park
Note: Some simulations require Java Web Start, which can be found
here: DC Circuits
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab
Waves
Why use PhETs? Photoelectric Effect
1. they can be used in classrooms where the real equipment is either not available or
impractical to set up
2. they can be used to do “experiments” that are impossible to do otherwise (e.g. sim
shows immediate response to adjusting the amount of greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere or the resistance of a bulb in a circuit);
3. it is easy to change variables in response to student questions that would be difficult
or impossible to change with real apparatus
4. they can show the invisible and explicitly connect multiple representations
5. the students can run the sim on their own computer at home to repeat or extend the
experiments from class to clarify and strengthen their understanding.
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PhET Moving Man Example #1

Question 1: Sketch position vs time and

velocity vs time graphs for when Moving Man
walks steadily toward the tree for 6 seconds, then
stands still for 6 seconds, then towards the house
twice as fast as before for 6 seconds. Moving Man
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PhET Moving Man Example #1

Question 1: Sketch position vs time and

velocity vs time graphs for when Moving Man
walks steadily toward the tree for 6 seconds, then
stands still for 6 seconds, then towards the house
twice as fast as before for 6 seconds. Moving Man
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PhET Lecture Demo

Interactive Lecture Demo

Pose scenario and ask for predictions

Students make individual predictions

Student-student discussions.
Revise predictions.

Instructor elicits
predictions and reasoning

Instructor conducts “experiment”

with simulation

Students record result and

how different from prediction.

Whole class discussion with student

participation. Focus on reasoning.
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PhET Moving Man Example #2
Question 2: Sketch position vs time, velocity vs time, and acceleration vs time
graphs for the following: Moving Man leaves his home walking at a steady pace out
his door toward a large tree for 6 seconds, then abruptly stops for 3 seconds while he
checks to see if he has his wallet. It seems he clumsily left his wallet on the kitchen
table, but he’s late as it is, so he steadily speeds up toward his house for 2 seconds,
runs at full speed for 1 second, and steadily slows down for 2 seconds to a halt at his
front door.
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PhET Photoelectric Effect Homework Example

Photoelectric Effect Simulation

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Other Simple Applets in Physics and Astronomy

Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project - Flash animations and simulations for

astronomy education. Topics include seasons, moon phases, coordinate systems,
light, and more.

Math Physics Applets - Educational java applets to help visualize various

concepts in math, physics, and engineering.
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Resources for Outside the Classroom

Khan academy – math, science, economics and finance, humanities

~10 minutes per video

The questions and discussion in the comments section can be
extremely helpful.

PHYSCLIPS – Video clips covering mechanics, waves and

sound, and light for senior high school and introductory
university level physics.

MIT OpenCourseWare AAPT Website

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Videos and Blogs for General Interest

Astronomy Picture of the Day - Each day a different image or photograph of

our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by
a professional astronomer.
Videos:
Around the World in 90 Minutes
The Scale of the Universe
Veritasium - Candle Flame
Minute Physics - Physics misconceptions
Blogs:
NOVA's Physics Blog - Current events and some higher level discussions

Wired Science Blogs - Dot Physics - Fundamental physics applied to real life
situations, well-done simple examples and explanations.

Bad Astronomy - Astronomer Phil Plait's popular blog focusing on popular

misconceptions and hoaxes involving astronomy.

Preposterous Universe
Empirical Zeal - Aatish Bhatia
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Practicality of Internet Resources as a TA

What do the students gain from using these sources?

1) Another perspective on the material.

2) Generally less technical in presentation, more easily accessible than
textbooks since it’s done in real time with verbal explanations.
3) More opportunities to test their own understanding and learn
nuances of the application of physics principles.
4) Fast feedback on questions from forums (Khan Academy).
5) They’re free!

How should you use these resources as the TA?

1) Supplementary material, leave it up to the students but make them

aware that these resources exist.
2) Perhaps use as an aid in office hours, if the students’ issues may be
cleared up through a simulation.