1. Catchup Objectives Review returned work (test and assignment) Fermi
Remote Measurement Lab

2. Ping Pong Anyone? Solving a problem in 5 minutes (individually)
Look around the room you are sitting in. Answer the following:
How many ping-pong balls could you fit into the room?
W. Wolfe

3. Ping Pong Anyone? Solving a problem in 5 minutes (individually)
Look around the room you are sitting in. Answer the following questions:
How many ping-pong balls could you fit into the room?
What was your model of a ping-pong ball? What was your model of the room?
W. Wolfe

4. Ping Pong Anyone? Solving a problem in 5 minutes (individually)
Look around the room you are sitting in. Answer the following questions:
How many ping-pong balls could you fit into the room?
What was your model of a ping-pong ball? What was your model of the room?
What other simplifications or assumptions did you make?
W. Wolfe

5. Fermi Problems
Fermi Problems challenge us to ask more questions, not just provide “an answer.”
Enrico Fermi ( ) – Italian physicist best known for contributions to nuclear physics and the development of quantum theory.
Fermi used a process of “zeroing in” on problems by saying that the value in question was certainly larger than one number and less than some other amount – yields a quantified answer within identified limits.
The goal is to get an answer to an order of magnitude by making reasonable assumption about the situation, not necessarily relying upon definite knowledge for an “exact” answer.
Mathforum.org/workshops/sum96/interdisc/sheila2.html

6. Enrico Fermi, Physicist
Fermi was one of the most notable physicists of the 20th century. He is best known for his leading contributions in the Manhattan Project but his work spanned every field of physics.
W. Wolfe

7. Fermi Electron Theory
While in Pisa, Fermi and his friends had a well-earned reputation as pranksters. One afternoon, while patiently trapping geckos (used to scare girls at university), Fermi came up with the fundamental theory for electrons in solids. Fermi’s theory later became the foundation of the entire semiconductor industry.

8. Fermi Problems
Fermi was famous for being able to avoid long, tedious calculations or difficult experimental measurements by devising ingenious ways of finding approximate answers.
He also enjoyed challenging his friends with “Fermi Problems” that could be solved by such “back of the envelope” estimates.
Laura and Enrico Fermi

9. Fermi Problems Open ended problem solving.
Thought process is more important than calculating exact answer.
Steps in solving Fermi problems
Determine what factors are important in solving problem
Estimate these factors
Use dimensional reasoning to calculate a solution
W. Wolfe

10. Fermi Problems What do Fermi Problems have to do with engineering
Engineers have to solve open ended problems that might not have a single right solution
Engineers have to estimate a solution to a complicated problem
Engineers have to think creatively
W. Wolfe