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Re: [Phys-l] FW: universal gravitation lab



Understood & agreed.

Part of the frustration comes from the "prove Cavendish" lab. Pretty
sure I am not going to disprove Cavendish as a ~19 year old b.s.
student.

I think the verify-labs make it tempting for folks to fudge data. This
is what I've found with my h.s. students.

I will grant that I have little background to speak of in comparison to
most list members, but it always seems easier to put time in to a
challenge/problem than to a verification of proven principles.


Paul Lulai
Physics Instructor & Online Learning Coordinator
Saint Anthony Village Senior High School, ISD 282
3303 33rd Avenue N.E.
Saint Anthony Village, MN 55418

(w) 612-706-1144
(fax) 612-706-1140

-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of John
Mallinckrodt
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 10:48 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] FW: universal gravitation lab

On Feb 12, 2007, at 8:39 AM, Paul Lulai wrote:

Man, I hated the execution of the Cavendish experiment. Not only come
in at night *but also* try to time the buildings HVAC system to get a
good run... Arrgh.

I think I've told the story before here, but I had a student years
ago who did the Cavendish lab using the Leybold apparatus. He
appeared slumped in my office doorway after an apparently grueling
four hours in the lab and muttered, "Oh boy, professor Mallinckrodt,
that Cavendish must have been one patient dude." I'm skeptical that
he fully appreciated the truth of those words.

John Mallinckrodt

Professor of Physics, Cal Poly Pomona
<http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm>

and

Lead Guitarist, Out-Laws of Physics
<http://outlawsofphysics.com>



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