Physics News from the AIP No 2, Term 1 2005 s1

Physics News from the AIP Term 1, No 5, 2011

Table of Contents 1. Misconceptions: Resources 2. Fukushima: An update 3. Forthcoming events for: Students and the General Public * a) Sustainable Energy .... Really?, 6pm, Thursday 31st March, University of Melbourne b) Fukushima: The Facts and the Fallout. 6:30pm, Thursday, 31st March, University of Melbourne c) What's with all these earthquakes? 7pm Weds 13th April, University of Melbourne d) The Multiwavelength Atlas of Galaxies, 6:30pm Friday, 15th April, Swinburne University e) Gemini Schools Astronomy Contest: Entries due 13th May 4. Forthcoming events for Teachers * a) Physics of Organic Semiconductors, 6:30pm Thursday 31st March at Monash University b) Beginning Physics Teachers' In-Service: Monday 11th April at Kew High School c) Workshop for VCE Astrophysics and Astronomy: Thursday 28th April at VSSEC & Scienceworks d) Astronomy from the Ground Up!, 20- 22 May, Parkes Observatory, NSW 5. Physics News from the Web

* Events listed for the first time are in bold with details below. The details of the other events can be found on our website at www.vicphysics.org/forthcomingevents.html or in previous newsletters at www.vicphysics.org/AIPnews.html

This newsletter is compiled by the Australian Institute of Physics (Victorian Branch) Education Committee.

This year the AIP Education Committee will be meeting at Kew High School, normally on the second Tuesday of the month from 5pm – 7pm, the next meeting is on Tuesday, 10th May. All teachers are welcome to attend this or any other meeting. You don't need to be a member of the AIP to get involved. If you would like to attend, please contact the chair, Sue Grant, at [email protected] .

1. Misconceptions: Resources The preconceptions (that is, misconceptions or alternative conceptions) with which students enter a science classroom are not only difficult to identify, but also difficult to correct. A webpage, www.vicphysics.org/misconceptions.html, has been set up on our website that brings together resources from around the world. The resources, numbering over 20, not only include lists of misconceptions and their explanations, but also methods to identify them and strategies to overcome them.

The resources have been grouped in the following categories: i) General, that cover several areas of physics, ii) Forces and motion, iii) Electricity and magnetism and iv) Astronomy.

Some examples include: a) Veritasium Videos is a science video blog by Dr Derek Muller from the University of Sydney. The goal is to make scientific ideas clear, accessible, and interesting. The videos, 24 in number, are short, 2 - 4 minutes, on a range of physics topics, but mainly on motion and are very engaging. They are interview based and focus on people's misconceptions. A highly recommended video is 'The Khan Academy of the effectiveness of science videos' which explains his methodology and pedagogy. b) Helping Students Learn Better: A10 page pdf document on 'Preconceptions and Misconceptions: A Guide to Enhancing Conceptual Understanding'. It is specifically on high school physics. It has a seven stage strategy for 'Successful Implementation of a Conceptual Approach' s well as several preconceptions or misconceptions for specific aspects for each of the following topics: motion, light, relativity, electromagnetism, modern physics and atomic physics. c) Force Concept Inventory: The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) is designed to assess student understanding of Forces. It consists of 30 multiple choice questions on kinematics, Newton's First, Second, and Third Laws, and types of forces (such as gravitation, friction). Each question has distracters that reflect common misconceptions. The FCI is a respected tool and professionally guarded. It is only available by a password which must be obtained by email from a school email address. d) Deakin University Activities: Deakin University has prepared a set of activities across the range of science for Years 5 - 10 and are designed to address students' misconceptions.

2. FukuShima: An update The last newsletter contained several useful rescources. Here are a few more.

These and the previous ones will be added to the page, www.vicphysics.org/nuclearenergy.html, on our website in the next day or so. See also item 3b below. a) BBC graphics The website , http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12726591 , features a graphic of 10 animated slides showing the sequence of events at Fukushima, each slide has a explanatory text. Further down the page there are links to Q & A on Radiation health risks and 'New ways to look at radiation' b) A surprising article by George Monbiot in the Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/21/pro-nuclear-japan-fukushima? CMP=EMCGT_220311& c) A radiation dose chart: http://xkcd.com/radiation/

3. Forthcoming events for Students and General Public a) Sustainable Energy .... Really?, 6pm, Thursday 31st March, University of Melbourne Presented by Assoc Prof Michelle Livett The School of Physics of Melbourne University is offering a series of free lectures specifically designed to assist VCE Physics students. These lectures are given by practising physicists. Each is of about 1 hour duration, and will be held fortnightly during semesters 1 and 2, on Thursdays at 6 pm in the Laby Theatre of the School of Physics. Some light refreshments are available before the lectures.

The lectures are based on the VCE Physics Study Design, and are specifically selected to assist your students in their Physics studies. b) Fukushima: The Facts and the Fallout: 6:30pm, Thursday, 31st March, University of Melbourne Melbourne School of Engineering experts in nuclear, chemical and structural engineering will discuss the truth and misconceptions behind the crisis at Fukushima in this free public lecture presented in conjunction with the Sidney Myer Asia Centre. The discussion will explore the implications of the crisis, and will place the pros and cons of nuclear power into scientific perspective. It will be hosted by former Chief Scientist of Australia, Prof. Robin Batterham, the panel will feature: Prof. Iven Mareels - Nuclear Engineer and Dean of the Melbourne School of Engineering, Prof. Geoff Stevens - Chemical Engineer and Director of the Particulate Fluids Processing Special Research Centre and Prof. Priyan Mendis - Structural Engineer specialising in disaster mitigation and management and design of structures for extreme events. The event will be held at Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, corner Swanston Street and Monash Road. Bookings required on 8344 0237 or [email protected] or http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/nuclear/. c) What's with all these earthquakes? 7pm Weds 13th April, University of Melbourne Since 2001 we have experienced three of the seven biggest earthquakes ever recorded with eleven earthquakes claiming more than 1,000 fatalities. In total, over 700,000 people have died as a result of this extraordinary sequence of events. With many eminent earthquake seismologists predicting we will soon experience an earthquake that claims more than 1 million lives, this public seminar will discuss the background to, and lessons to be learned from, this devastating sequence of earthquakes and what can be done about it

The seminar will be introduced with short presentations by international experts in earthquake seismology, followed by a moderated panel discussion. Chair - Professor Mike Sandiford, Professor of Geology, University of Melbourne, Panel members: Professor Kevin Furlong, Professor of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University; Professor Phil Cummins, Centre for Natural Hazards, Australian National University; Mr Gary Gibson, Senior Research Seismologist, University of Melbourne; Assoc Prof Antoinette Tordesillas, Dept of Mathematics, University of Melbourne.

The event will be held at Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, corner Swanston Street and Monash Road. Bookings: 8344 3519 or [email protected] or http://unimelb-earthquake- seminar.eventbrite.com d) The Multiwavelength Atlas of Galaxies, Friday, 15th April, 6:30 – 7:30pm, Swinburne University The Multiwavelength Atlas of Galaxies (MAG) - dealings with publishers, editors, typesetters and creating an academic textbook by Dr Glen Mackie, Swinburne University

Abstract: Galaxies have been observed from ultra high energy gamma rays to long wavelength radio waves, providing fundamental insights into their formation and evolution. Until now, astronomy atlases preferentially showed (only) optical images of galaxies. Unveiling the secrets of some of the best observed galaxies, the published MAG contains over 250 full colour images of 35 galaxies spanning the whole electromagnetic spectrum. MAG explains why we see the component stars, gas and dust via different radiation processes, and describes the telescopes and instruments used. The lecture will discuss the metamorphosis from a personal web site to an academic textbook, the author - publisher (Cambridge University Press) relationship, and highlights from the textbook. Excerpts of MAG can be viewed at http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~gmackie/MAG/

VENUE: Building BA, Room BA201, Swinburne University, Hawthorn campus Free, but booking required Contact: Elizabeth Thackray on [email protected] or (03) 9214 5569, . Please register and you will be sent a reminder on 13 April. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDY0T3JKc3RBcXYwcS1FWUhzdzN4ekE6MQ

4. Forthcoming Events for Teachers a) Physics of Organic Semiconductors, 6:30pm Thursday 31st March at Monash University AIP March Public Lecture: Physics of Organic Semiconductors and Devices by Dr Chris McNeill, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University in Lecture Theatre S1, Building 25, Monash University Abstract: Organic semiconductors, based on conjugated carbon-based molecules and polymers, have attracted significant interest recently as an alternative to traditional inorganic-based semiconductors. While unlikely to compete with inorganic semiconductors in terms of absolute device performance, the potential low-cost of manufacture of organic devices and their inherent mechanical flexibility opens up new areas for potential commercial exploitation. Technologies that have been, or are in the process of being commercialised include plastic solar cells, flexible displays and printed electronic circuits. In this talk I will give an overview of the physics of organic semiconductors and their device applications, highlighting differences compared to inorganic semiconductors, and comment on present challenges for commercialisation.

Drinks and nibbles are available before the talk from 6pm. b) Beginning Physics Teachers' In-Service: Monday 11th April at Kew High School The next in-service for physics teachers who are: a) first year outs, b) taking Year 12 for the first time, c) returning to physics teaching, or d) have been asked by their school to take physics, will be held on the first Monday of the school holidays starting at 9:30am. The program will complement the in-service held on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago. This program will focus on: Planning assessment tasks, Teaching tricky concepts and preparing students for exams.

To register, contact the AIP by email to [email protected] with subject 'Registration: Beginning Physics In-Service'.

5. Physics News from the Web Items selected from the bulletins of the Institute of Physics (UK) and the American Institute of Physics. a) Quantum probe beats Heisenberg limit b) Metrology in the balance c) "The Big Bang Theory" - the sitcom. Gedanken Experiment: levitate a physics sitcom? a) Quantum probe beats Heisenberg limit http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/45535 A group of physicists in Spain has shown how to make a quantum measurement that overcomes a limit related to Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. The researchers confirmed a theoretical prediction of how to beat the Heisenberg limit by using interacting photons to measure atomic spin, and they say that their approach could lead to more sensitive searches for the ripples in space–time known as gravitational waves and perhaps also to improved brain imaging.

The standard limit on the precision with which a quantum measurement can be carried out is due to the statistical error associated with counting discrete particles rather than continuous quantities. So, for example, when measuring the phase difference between the waves sent down two arms of an interferometer, the error in this quantity will scale with the square root of the total number of photons measured, N. Since the signal scales with N, the signal-to-noise ratio also scales in the same way. Or, put another way, the sensitivity of the measurement, which is the minimum signal that can be measured with a given level of noise, will scale with 1/N1/2.

It is possible to improve on this scaling, however, by entangling the photons, because this correlates what would otherwise be independent sources of noise from the individual particles. Such entanglement allows measurements to approach the so-called Heisenberg limit, which means that sensitivity scales with 1/N. Until recently it was thought that this scaling represented an absolute limit on the sensitivity of quantum measurements. b) Metrology in the balance http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/indepth/45229 The world's leading metrologists are keen to redefine the seven SI units in what is billed as the system's biggest overhaul since the French Revolution. A report from a recent meeting (at the Royal Society) that discussed the proposed changes. c) "The Big Bang Theory - the sitcom: Gedanken Experiment, levitate a physics sitcom? http://blogs.physicstoday.org/pov/2011/01/gedanken-experiment-levitate-a-physics-sitcom.html

A article by 'Physics Today' journalist, Steve Corneliussen. Could scientists help the cause of science by helping CBS raise its physics situation comedy The Big Bang Theory from the level of Gomer Pyle, USMC to the level of MASH?

Might CBS let physicists help elevate BBT from the level of Seinfeld, a hilarious show about nothing, to the level of All in the Family, a hilarious show about society's profoundest issues?

Indispensable physics addresses not fluff but human-caused climate disruption, clean energy at economy- transforming scales, tools for biomedical researchers and medical practitioners, and the future of everything electronic—not to mention fundamental questions about matter itself. Drawing on not just physics but technoscience generally, I'll bet physicists could help CBS get even more laughs and an even bigger viewing audience by suggesting BBT script ideas to lift the sitcom from funny fluff to funny substance. But would CBS listen?

Read on ...