Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: population growth & physics ed





What should we teach in a Physics class? We can certainly teach how the
greenhouse effect works and the role of various atmospheric gasses in
controlling our climate.

The last time I taught astronomy, I set up an aquarium in the corner
of class. In the bottom I put a couple of sheets of carbon paper to
serve as a planetary surface. I covered the top of the aquarium with
plastic wrap (since I didn't have a sheet of glass) and stuck one of
those LCD aquarium thermometers to the inside of one wall under a
little paper awning to keep it in the shade. Then I turned on a desk
lamp over the top. It took about 15 minutes for the thermometer to go
completely off scale. Nice portable demonstration of greenhouse.

Paul J. Camp "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University in variety but also of
Conway, SC 29526 variety in unity.
pjcamp@csd1.coastal.edu --Umberto Eco
pjcamp@worldnet.att.org The Name of the Rose
(803)349-2227
fax: (803)349-2926