Re: [Phys-l] index of refraction

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

Paul has pipped me, as to why I think multiple data was superior to a  
single trial.   Furthermore one may combine all the students' data to  
find an SD for each angle's data, and, thereby, use the Chi-square test.

bc


On 2009, May 12, , at 12:45, Paul Lulai wrote:

> I understand the point that these values (index of refraction) can  
> be calculated with one measurement of incidence and refraction.   
> However, a plot of sin(theta-i) vs sin(theta-r) yields a nice y=mx  
> plot.  This is, in my opinion, a nice way to get the kids to  
> understand some of the ways in which mathematical models are  
> applied and created. The students must justify if the y-intercept  
> should be zero or not.  They can then determine what the slopes  
> might represent.  This becomes more obvious if different groups are  
> conducting the lab with different solutions.  If I have each group  
> conduct the lab with a different solution, they *should* all be  
> able to get plots of similar quality.  The linear best-fit lines  
> (Excel best-fit lines as opposed to true regression lines) with R^2  
> values should have R^2 values in the same general neighborhood.  If  
> so, then we can compare slopes etc...  Many of the labs that one  
> requires students to plot data and analyze values could be done  
> with one data point or two.