YSP Physics Teaching Team

Physics on a Computer

Objectives:

to demonstrate the use of computers in performing physics experiments

Materials:

Laptops for students (2 students per laptop is OK).  Overhead projector for teacher is helpful.  Juggling balls (optional).

Overview:

The idea is to get the students thinking about what an experiment is, and why you would want to perform one on a computer.  Two types of experiments are demonstrated, making the connection between projectile motion and orbital mechanics along the way.

Procedure:

Start off juggling balls in front of the class.

Ask students what sorts of things one could measure about juggling with a stopwatch an a measuring stick.

Now what if I wanted to juggle balls made out of gold, or on the moon?  Some sorts of experiments are too expensive, difficult, or dangerous to perform.

Perform experiments on a computer: Ballistic simulation applet: 

   http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Projectile_Motion

(give them 5 minutes or so to play)

Discuss: why would you want to do these experiments on a computer?

Segue via Isaac Newton.  He realized that the same forces which made the apple fall are relevant to understanding how the earth goes around the sun.  Do solar system applet:

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System

(Give them 5 minutes or so to play)

Why would you want to do these experiments on a computer?  Discuss sending man to the moon -- you want to get things right the first time.  Show pictures of Mars rovers or Saturn orbiter pictures.