July 13–17, 2013
43
Session AA: Apparatus for Beyond
the First Year of Instruction
Location: Parlor A/B
Sponsor: Committee on Apparatus
Date: Monday, July 15
Time: 8–9:10 a.m.
Presider: Eric Ayars
AA01:
8-8:10 a.m. A Cosmic Microwave Background
Radiation Experiment for Undergraduate Labs
Contributed – Carl W. Akerlof,* University of Michigan, Randall Laboratory of
Physics, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040;
Jeff McMahon, Anastasiya Romadan, University of Michigan
The discovery and understanding of the 2.7°K cosmic microwave back-
ground has been a fundamental key to the remarkable advances of cosmol-
ogy over the past 50 years. Ever more sophisticated measurements of these
fingerprints from the early universe will play a major role in testing current
theories. We have constructed a relatively inexpensive 12 GHz radiometer
as an optional experiment for an advanced undergraduate lab to demon-
strate this radiation and the basic principles of detection. The radiometer
consists of a narrow beam horn coupled to a low-noise amplifier followed
by a diode detector all supported on a simple alt-az mount. Detection
is inferred from careful comparisons with room temperature and liquid
nitrogen baths as well as the variation of signal with zenith angle.
*Sponsored by Ramon Torres-Isea.
AA02:
8:10-8:20 a.m. 34 Experimental Versions of a Device
Demonstrating Kinetic Motion of Gas Molecules
Contributed – Jung Bog Kim, Korea National University of Education, Depart-
ment of Physics Education, Cheongwon, CB 363-791, Korea; jbkim@knue.
ac.kr
Hyung Kun Park Korea, National University of Education
We have modified a commercial simulator for 34 experiments in eight cat-
egories, which are 6 for pressure and buoyancy, one for Brazil nuts effect, 8
for gas molecules motion-related, 2 for osmosis, 6 for changes in states of
matter, 5 for dissolving, 4 for temperature and heat transfer, 2 for sound.
The product originally was developed for showing kinetic motion of gas
molecules to teach both Boyle and Charles laws. Many small metal balls
can be randomly moving in a long cylindrical tube by a vibrator installed
on the cylinder bottom. Speed of the vibrator can be increased to show
higher pressure at the fixed volume. By changing the position of a stopper
inside the tube, volume can be controlled. Visualizations of molecule
motion help students, who may have misconceptions because molecular
motion is invisible, understand and form a scientific concept.
AA03:
8:20-8:30 a.m. Apparatus to Visualize Radiography
Without the Use of Ionizing Radiation
Contributed – Otto K. Zietz, Portland State University, 555 NW Park Ave.
#313, Portland, OR 97209;
Kelsey Adams, Elliot Mylott, Ralf Widenhorn, Portland State University
A device was constructed to demonstrate principles of radiography without
the use of ionizing radiation. The device projects infrared radiation from
light emitting diodes through an enclosure onto an upconverting phosphor
screen. The enclosure is surrounded by material that transmits infrared
light but absorbs visible light causing the identity and position of any
objects inside to be obscured from sight. By rotating the infrared emitting
array and the phosphor screen around the enclosure, students can view
the contents of the box from multiple angles and thereby discern the shape
and orientation of objects contained within. The apparatus can be used
when teaching x-ray imaging and the fundamental concepts of computed
tomography to pre-health majors.
Monday, July 15
Highlights
High School Physics Teachers Day
REGISTRATION
7 a.m.–5 p.m. Plaza Foyer
First Timers’ Gathering 7–8 a.m. Skyline III
PTRA Oversight Committee 7–8:30 a.m. Council Suite
Spouses’ Sightseeing 10–11:30 a.m.
PIRA Resource Room
Exhibit Hall
TYC Resource Room
Grand Ballroom II
H.S. Physics Photo Contest Voting Plaza Foyer
Apparatus Competition Exhibit Hall
Kindle Raffle 10:15 a.m. Exhibit Hall
Teaching Awards, DSCs 10:30–12 Grand Ballroom I
COMMITTEE MEETINGS, 12–1:30 p.m.
–Physics in Two-Year Colleges Council Suite
–Apparatus
Galleria I
–History & Philosophy
Studio Suite
–Pre-High School Education Directors Suite
–Research in Physics Education Salon II/III
–Membership & Benefits (12:30–1:30) Forum Suite
Early Career Professionals Speed Networking
12–1:30 p.m. Skyline IV
High School Luncheon 12–1:30 p.m.
Skyline III
Commercial Workshops
–Perimeter
9 and 11:30 Galleria III
–WebAssign 9–10 a.m.
Galleria I
–PASCO 12–1 p.m. Pavilion West
–Pearson 12–1 p.m. Pavilion East
–American 3B 12–1 p.m.
Parlor A/B
Robert Fuller Memorial Session
1:30–3:30 Grand BallroomI
Gift Card Raffle 3:45 p.m. Exhibit Hall
Millikan Medal
6:10–7:10 p.m. Grand Ballroom I
COMMITTEE MEETINGS, 7:10-8:30 p.m.
–PIRA Business Meeting
Galleria I
–Physics in High Schools
Pavilion East
–International Physics Education Council Suite
–Minorities in Physics
Forum Suite
–Professional Concerns Directors Suite
–Space Science and Astronomy Galleria II
–Governance Structure (COGS) Studio Suite
Poster Session I 8:30–10 p.m. Grand Ballroom II
SPS Undergrad Awards Reception 8:30–10 Skyline III
