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

For an IB extended essay, I had a student choose to build a replica of the
apparatus shown in the PSSC film "Forces". He got lousy results if the goal
was to get a good value for G. He learned a lot of Physics, however. He
would set the apparatus to working in the middle of the night and used a
video camera to help observe, while he went to bed!

Ken Fox

On 2/12/07, rgrandy@pop.mail.rice.edu <rgrandy@pop.mail.rice.edu> wrote:

When I was an undergrad at Pittsburgh, you had to do this between 2
am and 6 am when the street cars (called "trolleys" or "trams" in
most of the world) were not running. I went beyond being a theorist
and became a philosopher.

Richard Grandy
Rice University
Houston, TX USA



>Well, that's the part of real experimental physics that the simulations
>don't catch' Also, the leaks in the vacuum system, the burned out
>electronics, and the lab assistants whose minds are elsewhere. Some of
>us experience these vicissitudes early on and opt to become theorists.
> Regards,
> Jack
>
>
>
>On Mon, 12 Feb 2007, 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.
>>
>> 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
William
>> Maddox
>> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 10:33 AM
>> To: Forum for Physics Educators
>> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] FW: universal gravitation lab
>>
>> From: WC Maddox
>>
>> If anyone wants to do a real equipment experiment involving gravity,
>> Tel-Atomic has a version of the Cavendish experiment that uses a
>> computer to analyze the data. The apparatus cost ~ $2,000. In the
>> past this experiment often didn't get done due to the weakness of the
>> force and the sensitivity of the apparatus to vibration. If anyone
>> wanted to do it when I took advanced lab they had to come in at night.
>>
>> End Message
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Forum for Physics Educators
>> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
>> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l
>>
>
>--
>"Trust me. I have a lot of experience at this."
> General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
> just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley
>
>
>
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