DEMONSTRATIONS/MODELS/EXPERIMENTS
Every student must participate in one D/M/E. Each
D/ME will be performed by a pair of students. The quality, content, work and execution
of your performance will be an important consideration in grading. Your
instructor can provide guidance and pre-performance reviews for your projects.
2.2 Names___Georgette & Lora____
1.
Provide
a model of the geocentric theory of the universe as portrayed in the Ptolemaic
system. You must show how it can explain the seasons, i.e., the equinoxes and
solstices. Hint: Two hoops, a tennis ball (split) and a bright light might be
useful (I can supply the hoops and tennis balls).
2.9 Names __Carlos & Leslie____
2.
Provide
a detailed explanation of how we came to know the earth is a sphere before we
ever circumnavigated the planet. In that explanation, show us how that same
method also determined the circumference of the earth.
2.16 Names __Kara & David F.________
3.
Convince
us that the earth rotates on its axis. See #1 and #2 for guidance. Remember,
you’re on trial here, so make a good case. This is the hardest one.
2.23 Names___David G. & Andrea J. _
4.
Provide
a model of the heliocentric theory of the universe that illustrates the earthly
seasons. Identify and explain the
equinoxes and the solstices (more tennis balls and hula hoops might help).
3.1
Names___Jonathan & Tori ___
5.
Using
Galileo’s drawings as a guide, identify the four Galilean (Medician) moons by
name (europa, Io etc.) according to the
individual orbits over the period during which he observed them. Explain how
you figured out which moons have which orbits even though you’re looking at
them in a two dimensional plane. Is this induction or deduction?
3.15 Names __Nicholas M. & Cameron __
6.
Demonstrate
that uniform motion in a straight line has no discernable effects. A skateboard
and a ball (and some explanation) might come in handy. You might have other,
more impressive ideas.
3.22 Names___Thomas & Charles _
7.
Objects
at rest stay at rest and objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by
an external force. The first may be easy to demonstrate. Convince us that both are
true. This requires a working model that will remove all doubt. (ref: Newton).
3.29 Names___Nicholas R. & Jennifer __
8.
Demonstrate
the law that “…equal areas are swept in equal times” or alternatively the Law
of Conservation of Angular Momentum. Hint: A roller blader might find this
easy. Also, some handy physics’ toys are available.
4.3 Names ____Charlene & Nate .
9.
Provide
an example of a species that has said to have successfully adapted to a changed
environment or ecosystem; or a species that has a peculiar/bizarre way of
ensuring its progeny survive. (I have a great film of a cuckoo bird). The
Pember Museum in Granville is a good resource for stuffed animals, birds and
reptiles in case you need a visual aid (they probably don’t lend, but you could
draw or take a photograph of the creature and interview the curator). Provide a
plausible explanation for the particular habits and features of the species
using Darwinian evolution/natural selection.
4.17 Names ___Nelson & Elana .
10. Demonstrate chaos theory (a
kind of...) by running 100 or more iterations of Feynmen’s
equation in which you vary initial values gradually. Produce a two
dimensional graph that
displays the relationship between the variables. What are the implications?
(SPSS or Excel
perhaps
can produce these graphs – see me).