206,561 research outputs found
Newton's Laws
No full textAuthored and curated by David P. Stern, this series of web pages, part of "From Stargazers to Starships," describes Newton's three laws of motion and the two concepts on which they are based, force and inertia. The author breaks down the page in this fashion: the concept of force, motion against outside resistance, and motion with significant resistance. The author also provides additional links for further study on the life of Issac Newton. A lesson plan for instructors is also provided
Teaching About Magnetism
No full textThis web page, created by author David P. Stern, are the lecture notes for a presentation to middle and high school teachers to help teach magnetism. The lectures includes a brief history of the study of magnetism from its beginnings in ancient Greece and China to the present day, and three classroom demonstrations. This is part of a larger web site on "The Earth's Magnetosphere." Additionally, the author provides links to a glossary and expanded timeline to help better contextualize the theories addressed in these lecture notes
Flight to Mars
No full textCreated by David P. Stern, this set of three web pages provides a calculation of paths, times, and distances for a flight to Mars and back. The author uses a Hohmann transfer ellipse between two circular orbits. This is an example and application of Kepler's Laws, which are explained in related web pages. Only algebra is used with Kepler's laws and the equation for the energy of Kepler motion. This is part of an extensive work, "From Stargazers to Stars that uses space science as an introduction to basic physics principles. Also available in French
Discovery of the Magnetic Compass
No full textFirst of several linked files, telling the early history of the compass (discovered in China) and how Robert Norman in 1581 showed the magnetic force was not horizontal but slanted downwards, followed by William Gilbert's demonstration that the Earth behaved like a giant magnet; two reviews of Gilbert's 1600 book "De Magnete" follow, as well as a modern version of one of Gilbert's experiments. The web collection also includes several sections for science teachers. The page is a subset of a larger collection of articles of the history of magnetism created by author David P. Stern
The Sun
No full textThe first of four linked files, created by David P. Stern, giving a very brief and elementary overview of sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections, including some early history and the articles by Schwabe (1843) and Carrington (1859). The page also provides an index of additional sites created by Stern to facilitate further study on this topic. The is simply an article in a much larger site involving different aspects of astronomy, meteorology and physics. Additionally, a Spanish translation is also provided
A Frying Pan Electrophorus
No full textThis web page, authored and curated by David P. Stern, provides instructions for building an electrophorus from common household items. This type of capacitor was invented by Volta and may have been used to amplify voltage in his experiments. A historical perspective and links to other materials on electrostatics is provided. A Spanish translation is also available
Newton's Theory of Universal Gravitation
No full textThis website, authored and curated by David P. Stern, provides teachers with lesson plans of astronomy, Newtonian mechanics and spaceflight such as Newton's theory of universal gravitation and Kepler's third law. Lesson plans include sections such as goals, questions and examples. This is a great collection of resources that will enhance many different aspects in a standard physics curriculum
Frames of Reference
No full textAuthored and curated by David P. Stern, this is a lesson plan for teaching frames of reference. It is linked to text material on reference frames, aberration of light, and a very short introduction to the foundations of special relativity. This is a part of the larger site: "Stargazers to Starships" which teaches physics through astronomy and space science. The site provides additional links for teachers that contain study guides, glossaries and timelines for use
Introduction to Quantum Physics
No full textAuthored and curated by David P. Stern, this series of eight linked web pages provide a non-mathematical introduction to atomic theory from a historical perspective. The foundations of quantum physics are traced from the discovery of atoms up to quantum tunneling. Other topics include atomic spectra and blackbody radiation. This is part of "From Stargazers to Starships", an extensive web site covering introductory topics in physics and astronomy. Spanish and French translations are available
About Electronic Magnetometers and Tobacco Smoking
No full textThis web page, authored and curated by David P. Stern, provides a non-mathematical introduction to modern magnetometers that depend on the saturation of magnetic materials. Applications include the observation the very weak magnetic fields in space and a 1979 experiment on the effects of cigarette smoking and the damage caused by asbestos. This is part of the site "The Great Magnet, the Earth". Also available in Spanish, German and French
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