Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab1 Spreadsheets for Enhancement and Engagement in the Introductory Physics Lab AAPT Summer National Meeting, 2002 Boise, ID

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab2 Introduction Brian A. Pyper BYU-Idaho Dept of Physics Utah State University Advisor: Dr. David Peak

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab3 Why Do We Have Physics Labs? Physics is an empirical science! If we don’t spend time in a lab, there’s no difference between Physics and Mathematics. (Arons, 1993) There are concepts and skills in Physics we learn best in the lab setting. (Bradley, 1968; Glasson, 1989) Many types of learning styles improve understanding with ‘hands-on’ instruction. (Gardner, 1993) Anything we can do to promote the students’ interaction with the material helps. “The best method is whatever one gets the student to spend the time with the material and strive, and strive, and strive for understanding.” (Davis, 2002)

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab4 Wish List – or “I’d sure like it if students would…” Be interested in Physics Be confident in their understanding Enjoy their Physics experience

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab5 How Spreadsheets Can Help: Graphing and Data analysis Programming Experience and Numerical Methods Simulating the Laboratory Setting

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab6 Why Spreadsheets? Spreadsheets are ubiquitous Spreadsheets are simple and logical Spreadsheets use basic and universal computer skills useful in the workplace

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab7 Three Examples: Graphing Data Earth Satellites Basic Programming – Numerical Methods The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Euler’s Method Gee-Whiz Modeling Double-Slit Interference

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab8 Graphing Data: Earth Satellites Satellite Data: (From

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab9 The Worksheet (From Newton’s second law we derive: T 2 =4π 2 (R e +h) 3 /gR e 2 )

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab10 Earth Satellites: The Graph

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab11 Earth Satellites: The Graph

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab12 Educational Value Students can visualize a physical relationship that is far from intuitive Students ‘discover’ values for physical constants Entry to discussions about error minimization, log-log plots, appropriate units, etc.

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab13 Spreadsheets and Numerical Methods Because of their formatting, spreadsheets allow very simple access to powerful Numerical Methods applications Example: The Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab14 The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Solution: x = Acos(ωt + φ)

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab15 Euler’s Method Use the value of the first derivative at the initial value to evaluate the function at a later point. SO: if v=Δx/Δt then x(t+Δt)=x(t)+v(t)*Δt and if a=Δv/Δt then v(t+Δt)=v(t)+a(t)*Δt  The Force determines the acceleration, (a(t)=F(t)/m) and the initial conditions determine x(0) and v(0)  Euler’s Method is unstable for oscillating functions!

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab16 Cell Formulas

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab17 Euler’s SHO

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab18 Graph

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab19 Educational Value Numerical methods and ‘best approximations’ (vs. Runge-Kutta or other methods) Why is calculus important to Physics? Well, how small is a differential? (How small does Euler’s Δt have to be to get a certain degree of allowable error?)

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab20 Gee-Whiz Modeling: Double-Slit Interference Two-slit intensity (see Dykstra & Fuller, Wondering About Physics, Wiley, 1988 p ) I/I 0 =4sin 2 (Ф/2)cos 2 (δ/2)/Φ 2 where Φ=2πasinφ/, δ=2πdsin φ/ and =wavelength, a=slit width, d=slit separation, φ=diffraction angle.

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab21 Interference Worksheet

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab22 Interference Graph

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab23 With Macros! Record a macro changing the values of the wavelength, slit width, and slit separation. Assign these macros to scroll buttons from the forms toolbox in the visual basic editor, and Voila! You have an instantly changing graph of intensity vs. diffraction angle!

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab24 Example Macros 1

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab25 The Power of Visual Basic Code Visual Basic Code can be used to generate cell data, and plotted simply using the spreadsheet’s chart functions

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab26 Example Macros 2

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab27 Implications for Further Research Write a full set of Spreadsheet simulations for supplementary use in introductory-level labs Pre-post test, compare common exam grades and course grades and survey student groups with/without the spreadsheet component for understanding and general enjoyment Defend August 2003

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab28 Additional Resources Wondering About Physics, Dykstra & Fuller, Wiley 1988 Spreadsheet Physics, Misner and Cooney, Addison Wesley 1991 Dynamic Models in Physics Vol. 1: A Workbook of Computer Simulations Using Electronic Spreadsheets, Potter & Peck, David Barkley ed., N. Simonson & Co Numerical Methods for Physics, Garcia, Prentice Hall 2000 Computational Physics, Giordano, Prentice Hall 1997

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab29 References A. Arons, “Guiding Insight and Inquiry in the Introductory Physics Laboratory,” The Physics Teacher 31, p (May 1993) R.L. Bradley, “Is the Science Laboratory Necessary for General Education Science Courses?” Science Ed. 52(1) p (Feb. 1968) D. Davis, "Re: Planning for a PhD in Engineering Education,” Chemed-L post 9 Feb 2002 H. Gardner, Multiple Intelligences, Basic Books (1993) G.E. Glasson, The Effects of Hands-on and Teacher Demonstration Laboratory Methods on Science Achievement in Relation to Reasoning Ability and Prior Knowledge,” J. Res. Sci. Teach. 26(2) p (1989)

Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab30 Acknowledgements Dr. David Peak, Utah State University Dept. of Physics My wife Heidi My BYUI W02 PH150 lab Partial funding through the Thomas E. Ricks Memorial Fund