...IGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN SOLVING PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS Luzviminda M. Panes THE PROBLEM This study sought to determine the difficulties of fourth year high school students in solvingproblems in Physics. METHODOLOGY This study is a diagnostic-illuminative type. It was intended to reveal conceptual or proceduralerrors that students commit in solving word problems in high school Physics. To achieve this end, theresearcher used the survey method of gathering information. In this method, all fourth year students of the two schools, SSPSC Tagbina and SSPSC Lianga, were asked to respond to a Diagnostic Test prepared by the author. The test was divided into 4 levels, level 1, understanding what is asked in the problems that measure the reading comprehension skills of students; Level 2, measuring the student’s skills in translating unknown into mathematical expression; and level 3 measuring the student’s skills in formulating mathematical equation that expresses the relation of he variables in the problem; lastly, in Level 4, solving problems involving linear equation, quadratic and exponential equation. The statistical tools used in analyzing the data were means and z-test. FINDINGS 1. The study found out that most students understood what is asked in the problem. The resultsrevealed that out of 130 students who took the diagnostic test, there were 76 students who passed level 1 question. 2. In level 2 questions, students...
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...Cooperative Problem Solving in Physics A User’s Manual Why? What? How? STEP 1 Recognize the Problem What's going on? STEP 2 Describe the problem in terms of the field What does this have to do with ...... ? STEP 3 Plan a solution How do I get out of this? STEP 4 Execute the plan Let's get an answer STEP 5 Evaluate the solution Can this be true? Kenneth Heller Patricia Heller University of Minnesota With support from the National Science Foundation, University of Minnesota, and U.S. Department of Education © Kenneth & Patricia Heller, 2010 Acknowledgments In reaching this stage in this work, we gratefully acknowledge the support of the University of Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Education FIPSE program, and the National Science Foundation. This work would not have existed without the close cooperation of the University of Minnesota School of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Curriculum and Instruction. We have incorporated the suggestions of many faculty members from both Physics and Education at the University of Minnesota and other institutions that have communicated with us at workshops, meetings, and by e-mail. This work has depended on the efforts and feedback of many graduate student teaching assistants in the School of Physics and Astronomy over the years. Much of this development is directly based on the research of the graduate students in the University of Minnesota Physics Education Program: Jennifer...
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...middle school's math and science accelerated program allowed me to further develop my interest in science as I took Honors Biology and spent my summer between 8th and 9th grade volunteering for Cornell’s Cooperative Extension conducting water sampling for effluent matter at local bays. It was also at this point that I started to give thought to what careers I may want to pursue, specifically in a scientific field. In my past three years of high school, I've taken great initiative to enrich my scientific experience and identify which fields directly interest me. I became a member and now president of my school's selective science research program, attended lectures at Stony Brook University and started ready Scientific News. Reading about Physics made me inquisitive about the unknown. In math I started a trail-blazing path by self-teaching Math B (does it have another name) during the summer between 9th and 10th grade which allowed me to go onto Pre-Calculus sophomore year. To prepare myself for my Intel Research project in Astrophysics I decided it would be beneficial to learn Applied Linear Algebra at Stony Brook University. To-date I have completed all possible math...
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...AISHATU .M. LAWAL 6TH April 2016 THE USE OF QUANTITATIVE KNOWLEDGE IN NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES. Natural and Environmental Science is a vast interdisciplinary study within Mathematics, Science and Mechanics which integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment and the solutions to environmental issues. It developed during the insight from the areas of Medicine and Natural Antiquity. Quantitative reasoning is vital to the understanding of environmental processes. As mentioned earlier Environmental Science is an integration of different branches of science and in the area of Physics, Chemistry and even Biology. Mathematics is essential and plays a very important role in this discipline. In the biological and ecological aspect of environmental science, there is a subtopic known as the Carrying Capacity in an Ecosystem. Carrying capacity of a biological specie in an ecosystem is the maximum population size such specie can reach in that ecosystem and survive indefinitely with the necessities available. This is calculated by rationalizing the specie per square meter in a hectare of the ecosystem land. Mathematics is also used in environmental science in the aspect of solar and wind energy conversion, where the direct current is converted to alternating current. Also there are energy conversion rates which are as follows: The solar energy conversion rate is 1,800,000 (kcal/ m2/year). Ecosystem Efficiency = 0.012%, Energy...
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...Kruyper (trained mathematician). While attending his last years of High School in Rotterdam Netherland Edsger Dijkstra knew what he wanted to do in life. He wanted to represent his country at the United Nations. Even though he was still in high school, he formulated a plan to achieve this goal of representing the Netherlands in the United Nations. He decided to get a law degree. After receiving the maximum highest points possible in the following areas: mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics on his final examine. Everyone starting with his loving and supportive parents to his very motivational teachers convinced Edsger that a career in the field of science would be an outstanding career move for him. So, Edsger Dijkstra headed on to the University of Leyden. There at the University of Leyden Edsger Dijkstra decided that he would major in Theoretical Physics. To develop a good, strong and firm foundation in Theoretical Physics Dijkstra began his studies in mathematics and physics. Douwe Wybe Dijkstra being the loving and supportive father that Edsger needed him to be, was always searching for great opportunities to encourage his son in the field of study that he had chosen. Well, as the story has it, Douwe, (Edsger father) was reading a paper and just happened to come a cross an advertisement for a computer programming course that would be held at Cambridge University in England. The computer programming course was three weeks long. The three week course was to start...
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...tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2FdisplayLearningUnit%3Fcourse_id%3D_21506_1%26content_id%3D_769754_1%26framesetWrapped%3Dtrue and carefully study all the materials provided. Due: by the last day of Week 3. 3) Problem #1 : Chapter 3, end of chapter problem 82 from the from “Essential College Physics” by Andrew Rex & Richard. Submit your solution in the drop box “M2A1: Problem submission 1” https://mycourses.excelsior.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2FdisplayLearningUnit%3Fcourse_id%3D_21506_1%26content_id%3D_769755_1%26framesetWrapped%3Dtrue Due by the fourth day of Week 3. 4) Perform the tasks assigned for Module 2 Week 1 on the discussion board for Module 1 at the link: https://mycourses.excelsior.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2FdisplayLearningUnit%3Fcourse_id%3D_21506_1%26content_id%3D_769755_1%26framesetWrapped%3Dtrue Post your response of at least 150 words in your own discussion thread by day 4 of the module. Due: by the fourth day of Week 3. 5) Start working on the Mastering Physics assignments entitled Projectile & Circular Motion. (These problems can also be seen at the end of Chapter 3 in the textbook.) Due: by the last day of Week 4. Tasks with Deadlines at the end of Module 1 Week 2 (Week 4)...
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...German-born American theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, often regarded as the father of modern physics, had exceptional intellectual ability and unprecedented insight. Many believed him to be one of the most influential people in both science and mathematics, and quite possibly the most famous scientist of the 20th century (Severance, 1999). As cited by Fingon and Fingon, Einstein was well known for being a brilliant physicist and abstract thinker, applying his creativity and imagination in his scientific thought process (Parker, 2003). He received the 1921 Nobel Prize for his contribution to the study of physics, namely his special (1905) and general (1916) theories of relativity. The name “Einstein” is often thought of as being synonymous with the word genius. Einstein was not always thought of as a genius, however. His unique intellectual abilities as a young boy created challenges for him in his everyday home and school life, but his sense of wonder paired with persistence and determination led him to be the successful prodigy people know him as today. Abraham Maslow’s humanistic approach of self-actualization provides significant explanation for Einstein’s behaviors and achievements throughout his life. Heredity and environment played vital roles in Einstein’s psychological development. Einstein’s parents and teachers observed his early childhood developmental delays and had doubts regarding his intelligence. His parents worried about his intellectual development...
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...Research Paper Part I: Physics strives to identify fundamental principles governing the build and deportment of matter, the engenderment and movement of energy, and the interaction of matter and energy. Some physicists use those principles in theoretical areas, such as the nature of time and the beginnings of our universe, while some work in practical areas such as the development of advanced materials, optical and electrical devices, and medical equipment (BLS, para. 2). I chose physics for my career research paper because I have an intellectual curiosity for the world, the universe, and everything in between. I want to understand how matter moves through spacetime, and how the universe behaves. Understanding physics also means understanding many other scientific areas of study, thus providing an intimate knowledge for reality as we know it. Many physicists work in laboratories, where they design and perform experiments with sophisticated equipment. Some of that equipment includes lasers, particle accelerators, electron microscopes, and mass spectrometers. Although much research may be conducted through experiments in the lab, physicists still spend much time in offices planning, recording, analyzing, and reporting on research. Many who are deeply involved in research way also work very long or irregular hours. For basic research positions, independent research in industry, faculty positions, and advancement to managerial positions, a Ph.D in physics or related field is...
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...The British Society for the Philosophy of Science The Nature of Philosophical Problems and Their Roots in Science Author(s): K. R. Popper Source: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Vol. 3, No. 10 (Aug., 1952), pp. 124-156 Published by: Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Society for the Philosophy of Science Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/685553 . Accessed: 13/09/2013 04:37 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. . Oxford University Press and The British Society for the Philosophy of Science are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 58.27.243.214 on Fri, 13 Sep 2013 04:37:15 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR ROOTS IN SCIENCE * K. R. POPPER I IT was after some hesitation that I decided to take as my point of departurethe present position of English philosophy. For I believe...
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...Introduction: E=mc2(squared) is the most famous formula that is known by almost everyone. This famous formula, of course, belongs to the most famous scientist Albert Einstein. I am pretty sure many of you, if not all, has heard of this formula at one point of your lives. Because I have a passion for both science and physics, I have been studying Einstein’s theories and his life for the last couple of years. Today, I am going to talk about early years of Einstein’s life and some of his discoveries which changed the way we look at the world. Body: 1) Einstein was born in Germany and his passion for science started at a young age. A. Einstein was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Wurttemberg in the German Empire on March 14th 1879. B. In Einstein’s early ages, his father showed him a pocket compass; Einstein realized that there must be something causing the needle to move. This event sparked the passion inside Einstein for science and later on he began to build mechanical devices for fun. C. Unlike a general thought, he never struggled to pass the exams or talk. It was just his family who thought he had a learning disability. D. Even though being remarkably good at physics and mathematics, he was not as successful in other subjects such as foreign language and social sciences. This is due to fact that he always had a passion to follow what he liked, not for what school wanted to teach him. He kept criticizing the disciplinary system of the schools and said that school were destroying...
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...Is Science the only sure path to Truth? Physics is “the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms” (Oxford Dictionaries). Till the first half of the eighteenth century, physics was a branch of natural philosophy. It “became widely used in its modern sense (i.e., excluding the life sciences, geology, and chemistry) during the second half of the eighteenth century” (Olson, 2002, p. 301). Olson (2002) explains how physics is divided into two main categories. He states that topics treated before the middle of the last decade of the nineteenth century are said to be parts of classical physics. On the other hand a group of topics that emerged after about 1895 is said to make up modern physics. Since physics is a broad area, in this essay, I specifically focus on one topic from modern physics, namely quantum physics. I will evaluate whether quantum physics can lead us to ‘Truth’. In this paper, ‘Truth’ refers to quantum events. First, I will portray how quantum events are filled with uncertainties; I will then list three answers given by physicists to explain why uncertainties are present. I will then move on to show how quantum physics offers conceptual parallels to ideas in religion. I will mainly discuss the role of holism character in quantum systems. Finally I will evaluate whether god is the reason...
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...PHYSIC AL CONSTANTS CONSTANT Speed of light Elementary charge Electron mass Proton mass Gravitational constant Permeability constant Permittivity constant Boltzmann’s constant Universal gas constant Stefan–Boltzmann constant Planck’s constant Avogadro’s number Bohr radius SYMBOL c e me mp G m0 P0 k R s h 15 2p"2 NA a0 THREE-FIGURE VALUE 3.003108 m/s 1.60310219 C 9.11310231 kg 1.67310227 kg 6.67310211 N # m2/kg 2 1.2631026 N/A2 1H/m2 8.85310212 C 2/N # m2 1F/m2 1.38310223 J/K 8.31 J/K # mol 5.6731028 W/m2 # K4 6.63310234 J # s 6.0231023 mol21 5.29310211 m BEST KNOWN VALUE* 299 792 458 m/s (exact) 1.602 176 4871402 310219 C 9.109 382 151452 310231 kg 1.672 621 6371832 310227 kg 6.674 281672 310211 N # m2/kg 2 4p31027 (exact) 1/m0c2 (exact) 1.380 65041242 310223 J/K 8.314 4721152 J/K # mol 5.670 4001402 31028 W/m2 # K4 6.626 068 961332 310234 J # s 6.022 141 791302 31023 mol21 5.291 772 08591362 310211 m *Parentheses indicate uncertainties in last decimal places. Source: U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2007 values SI PREFIXES POWER 1024 1021 1018 1015 1012 109 106 103 102 101 100 1021 1022 1023 1026 1029 10212 10215 10218 10221 10224 THE GREEK ALPHABET PREFIX yotta zetta exa peta tera giga mega kilo hecto deca — deci centi milli micro nano pico femto atto zepto yocto SYMBOL Y Z E P T G M k h da — d c m μ n p f a z y Alpha ...
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...What is consciousness? Some philosophers have contended that "qualia," or an experiential medium from which consciousness is derived, exists as a fundamental component of reality. Whitehead, for example, described the universe as being comprised of "occasions of experience." To examine this possibility scientifically, the very nature of physical reality must be re-examined. We must come to terms with the physics of space-time--as is described by Einstein's general theory of relativity--and its relation to the fundamental theory of matter--as described by quantum theory. This leads us to employ a new physics of objective reduction: " OR" which appeals to a form of quantum gravity to provide a useful description of fundamental processes at the quantum/classical borderline (Penrose, 1994; 1996). Within the OR scheme, we consider that consciousness occurs if an appropriately organized system is able to develop and maintain quantum coherent superposition until a specific "objective" criterion (a threshold related to quantum gravity) is reached; the coherent system then self-reduces (objective reduction: OR). We contend that this type of objective self-collapse introduces non-computability, an essential feature of consciousness. OR is taken as an instantaneous event--the climax of a self-organizing process in fundamental space-time--and a candidate for a conscious Whitehead "occasion" of experience. How could an OR process occur in the brain, be coupled to neural activities, and account...
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...hawking with Leonard Mlodinow Bantam Books (2005) Pages 1-60 A Briefer History of Time is a book aimed at explaining our universe It was written by Steven Hawking, and as the title suggests is a 'briefer' version of the original book. Steven hawking is incredibly famous for his contributions to the world of physics, this was all achieved while constantly battling a motor neurone disease. His first book a brief history of time was incredibly successful but many people found it to be too complex and some key concepts were hard to understand, Thus this version was released. Its aim is to make the difficult scientific theory's more accessible to the general public. The book is an attempt to explain everything we know, or think we know about the universe and cosmology. The first few chapters of the book are aimed at explaining the basics of physics and how it has progressed over time, It goes on to talk about Newton's laws and explain what a scientific theory is. This is a great move by the authors because it helps to explain the complex material by first going through the foundations of physics, this in turn makes the book far more accessible to the public . This is perfect as the book is aimed at ordinary people with an interest in science. The language used in the book is fairly technical but has been simplified to make the book easier to understand, this has been done well because they haven't made it patronising. The style of explanation...
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...world. It often dictates how the public looks at the world. A paradigm shift is often the result of scientists working at the fringe of the paradigm, performing research that most other researchers feel is a little misguided, or a dead end. In most instances, this view is correct but, every so often, a scientist has a revelation. More often than not, they feel the weight of scientific and public opinion, and become ridiculed. However, slowly but surely, other scientists try out the research, and a few lost voices in the wilderness increase into a new way of thinking. For example, explorations of chaos theory took a long time to take root, and his ideas were marginalized, because they lay outside the established classical paradigm of physics. Early Chaos Theorists found difficulties in receiving funding, finding supervisors, and finding journals willing to publish their research. Kuhn’s paradigm definition is a little more than a theory, although the terms are often used interchangeably. It is a complete and overall view of a phenomenon, often relying upon some basic principles. This process continues for a long time, until some experiments begin uncovering errors. A certain amount of error is accepted, and it can be absorbed by slight changes in the paradigm. However, eventually, the basic and fundamental principles may be shown to have error and there is a paradigm shift, a way of looking at the same information in a completely different way. Probably the...
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