Paul Mckarris, Andrew Mourcos, Colin Billiau, I. Carli, Lucas Ferron, Mathieu Gilmour, Mariam Ibrahim, Denis Jacques, M. Joos, Jacob Taylor Lehmann, Denisa Logojan, Emily Jean Loke, Dominique Morrison, Caitlyn Mourcos, Mélanie Poirot, B. Ristic, M. Robin
{"title":"CERN Beamline for Schools 2017 Student Experiment: Search for Isolated Fractionally Charged Particles","authors":"Paul Mckarris, Andrew Mourcos, Colin Billiau, I. Carli, Lucas Ferron, Mathieu Gilmour, Mariam Ibrahim, Denis Jacques, M. Joos, Jacob Taylor Lehmann, Denisa Logojan, Emily Jean Loke, Dominique Morrison, Caitlyn Mourcos, Mélanie Poirot, B. Ristic, M. Robin","doi":"10.1142/s2661339520500079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339520500079","url":null,"abstract":"This article was mainly written by a team of high school students that have won the CERN Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition in 2017. They had some help from professional scientists, in particular Branislav Ristic. The team had proposed to set up an experiment to search for elementary particles with a fractional electric charge. This paper describes the preparation of their proposal, experimental setup, detectors and data analysis throughout the search for such particles using a 10[Formula: see text]GeV[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] proton beam with a fixed iron target. It was clear to the team that the chance for finding such particles in a relatively simple experiment was minimal but that by doing this experiment they would learn a lot about experimental physics. Due to large amounts of noise, the result of the experiment is inconclusive. Further experimentation to search for these hypothesized particle is encouraged.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"113 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117255896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah Aretz, C. Beirao Da Cruz E Silva, M. Joos, P. Schütze, M. Stanitzki
{"title":"An Overview of the CERN Beamline for Schools Competition","authors":"Sarah Aretz, C. Beirao Da Cruz E Silva, M. Joos, P. Schütze, M. Stanitzki","doi":"10.1142/s2661339520500018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339520500018","url":null,"abstract":"Since 2014 CERN has been organizing “Beamline for Schools” (BL4S), an international science competition for teams of high school students. The students are asked to propose an experiment that can be realized at a particle beam line. Experienced scientists evaluate the proposals and select two winning teams that are then invited to perform their experiments with the help of professional scientists. This paper provides a brief overview of the competition and presents in more detail the conditions of the beam lines as well as the pool of detectors and instruments that are available to the students. The paper closes with an outlook on the future of the competition.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115455495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inspiring Interest in and Curiosity for Physics: Looking Beyond the Stars","authors":"N. Chang","doi":"10.1142/s2661339519200051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339519200051","url":null,"abstract":"As physics educators, our mission is not only to impart the knowledge of physics but to inspire interest in physics as well. [Formula: see text]In this article, I hope to open the eyes of some students who are interested and curious enough to want to look beyond the daily physics principles and think about the universe. [Formula: see text]The story of Newton, Hooke, and Halley provides a context and lesson for future generations of physicists on how to think outside the box, and look beyond the stars.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123962954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of a Science Demonstration Laboratory in National University of Singapore","authors":"Kim Yong Lim, C. Sow","doi":"10.1142/s2661339519500082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339519500082","url":null,"abstract":"Science demonstrations are a good way of promoting, teaching and learning science. This is provided that there exists carefully crafted “software” and communication methods to go along with the hardware. During the past few years, we have developed a Science Demonstration Laboratory at NUS aiming to play an active role in science outreach, science communication and science education. Our approach has evolved from an initial “show-and-tell” model to a more engaging “minds-on” approach where participants are consistently required to make predictions of the outcomes of scientific phenomena before witnessing the demonstrations. We also learnt that the education and development of talented science educators and communicators are crucial to ensure and project the effectiveness of a “hands-on”, “minds-on” approach to science education.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124992247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Relationship Between a Vector Differential and the Corresponding Scalar Differential in Physics","authors":"C. Mungan","doi":"10.1142/s2661339519500112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339519500112","url":null,"abstract":"In physics, a differential is an infinitesimal change in or amount of some quantity. For example, [Formula: see text] is a small change in linear momentum, and [Formula: see text] is a small amount of mass. Ratios of differentials become derivatives, while Riemann sums of differentials become integrals. Given some vector quantity X, what is the relationship between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] according to the standard conventions of introductory physics? Surprisingly, there are two distinct answers, depending on exactly what quantity X happens to be. The distinction is illustrated here with specific examples. After discussing this ambiguity in some detail, some recommendations to physics instructors and textbook authors are preferred. Although not everyone will agree with these conclusions and suggestions, this article provides a starting point for further deliberations.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115211525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teaching Energy Physics for Environmental Studies: A Course Summary","authors":"J. Groff","doi":"10.1142/s2661339519200063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661339519200063","url":null,"abstract":"This article summarizes a college course on energy physics for an environmental studies curriculum. The course was developed as an upper-division course. However, it has no physics prerequisite and could be offered as a lower-division course or a core curriculum course with minimal modification. The rationale for the course in the wider curriculum is explained followed by an overview of the course learning goals organized by unit. The course texts are discussed, and useful laboratory and demonstration equipment is referenced. The article concludes with a discussion of the evolution of the course and the impact the course has had on our curriculum.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"14 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132286840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"On Some Aspects of Radiation Protection for High-School Level Students","authors":"E. D. Paiva","doi":"10.1142/s266133951920004x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/s266133951920004x","url":null,"abstract":"In this short note we discuss some principles of radiation protection at a high-school level. In this attempt, a set of graphics were designed based on the evaluation of an empirical expression, which depends on the distance from the source of radiation, time of exposition to the source and the attenuation of the radiation by a barrier.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"103 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127144271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Computer Simulation for Quantal Interference","authors":"Noah A. Morris, D. Styer","doi":"10.1142/S2661339519200026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1142/S2661339519200026","url":null,"abstract":"Interference of particles is one of the central phenomena of quantum mechanics. The computer program InterferenceSimulator demonstrates two-slit Fresnel interference patterns with one, the other, or both slits open. A magnetic flux situated between the two slits allows the demonstration of the Aharonov–Bohm effect. Simulations with short de Broglie wavelengths illustrate the classical limit of quantum mechanics. Because of the universality of wave phenomena, this program also demonstrates the geometrical-optics limit of wave optics for small wavelengths.","PeriodicalId":112108,"journal":{"name":"The Physics Educator","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128761949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}