Past Programs
Spring Workshop
CNS Institute for Physics Teachers Spring Workshop
Saturday, April 8, 2006
Schedule
| 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Prof. Itai Cohen, “The Physics of Squishy Matter” |
| 10:15 – 11:30 a.m | Lab Tour |
| 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Hands-on Activity I (see below) |
| 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Hands-on Activity II (see below) |
| 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Closing and Evaluation Activities |
Activities
• “Interference in Thin Films” – Thin films, like soap bubbles, oil slicks, and butterfly wings owe their pretty colors to the interference of light waves. Anodized titanium, niobium, and tantalum also exhibit lovely coloration due to interference in the surface oxide film. In this activity, each team of students will make a variety of thin films using materials including soap, nail polish, and titanium. They will be asked to observe interference in each of the films and to build a qualitative understanding of interference in thin films. Kits will be given to teachers who attend.
• “Exploring Wave Phenomena” – This activity uses an inexpensive ripple tank that can be constructed from common materials. Students use their observations of water waves to develop an understanding of reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference. Several extensions are included that allow for quantitative measurement of these phenomena. The workshop is limited to the first 40 teachers who register ($20 refundable deposit is required). Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Five and one-half contact hours will be awarded for participation.
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