Physics Project

Research Projects

Objective: To research a topic in physics and do a project that displays what you have learned.

Groups: You should work on your own.

Format of presentation: Open. You should choose a format well-suited to your topic. For example, a topic in technology can often be well-represented by a display or experiment, while a theoretical topic is better suited to an essay or perhaps poster paper presentation. Other formats to consider are: demonstration, computer-based presentation (Powerpoint or web page, for example), video, model, debate and oral presentation.

What you will be doing: You will be expected to complete the following steps:

Choose a topic of interest to you, a brief outline of exactly what you will be learning about in carrying out the project, a format for your presentation and a couple of good initial sources (correctly cited) that you will be using to get to know your topic. (Due October 29.)
Research your topic, gathering at least 3 up-to-date sources that are well-suited to your level of understanding and your topic. (Due November 1.)
Present a detailed outline or concept map of your topic and how you intend to deal with it given your format. (Due November 5.)
Present you final project with a bibliography. (Due November 10.)

Topic suggestions and possible initial sources:

Topic	Source
The Search for Dark Matter	Scientific American, June 2003
Physics and Fiction	Cosmicomics,Italo Calvino
Amusement Park Physics	Go here and video "Physics of Fun"
The Dawn of Physics Beyond the Standard Model	Scientific American, March 2003
Super Fibers	Science News, June 14, 2003
Dismantling Nuclear Reactors	Scientific American, March 2003
Historical Factors, Nations and Scientific Discoveries	Naming Rights Natural History, February 2003
Superfluidity	www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfluid
Physics Magic Show	See me and go here
Parallel Universes	Scientific American, May 2003
Solar Neutrino Problem Solved	Scientific American, April 2003
Art and Physics	Science News, and flipbook
Time	Scientific American, ask me
Nanotechnology	Scientific American, ask me and flipbook
Physics of a Sport	See me
Physics of a piece of technology: lasers, cellphones, microwave ovens, etc.	See me
Alternative Black Hole Theory	Scientific American, July 2003, page 20
Was Einstein Wrong?	Discover, April 2003
Stopping Time	Discover, June 2003
Black Hole at the Center of the Milky Way	Natural History, June 2003
New Model of Friction	Science News, September 22, 2001
Art Fraud of the Masters	Science News, May 31, 2003
The Newtonian Revolution: What it was and how it changed the world.	The Whole Shebang, ask Andres
The Einsteinian Revolution	Modern Physics, ask Chen
The Quantum Revolution	Modern Physics, ask Chen and Dancing Wu Li Masters

How you will be marked: Your project will be marked out of 20 on difficulty of material, research, understanding and presentation. A further 4 marks will be assigned according tohow you work on your project during class time and how punctual you are in ecah of the steps.

	4	3	2	1
Difficulty	I chose a topic that challenged me but that I was able to master.	I chose a topic that was a bit below or above my level.	I chose a topic that I already had a pretty good understanding of.	I chose a topic that I had already learned about in this or a previous class.
Research	I researched my topic thoroughly and found lots of information in various formats (WWW, books, articles) suited to my level.	I researched my topic well and found more than three sources mostly on the web. Most of my sources were at the right level for me.	I researched my topic a bit and found three or four web sources. A few of my sources were at the right level.	I did a little research on my topic and found three web sources which were either too easy or difficult for me.
Understanding	I understood my topic well and was able to show what I learned.	I mostly understood my topic and was able to show what I learned.	I understood some of my topic and showed some of what I knew.	I understood little of my topic.
Presentation	My format was suited to my topic. My presentation was clear and interesting.	My format was pretty well suited to my topic. My presentation was usually clear and interesting.	My format was somewhat suited to my topic. My presentation was occasionally clear and interesting.	My format was not suited to my topic. My presentation was confusing.

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