Spreadsheets for Enhancement and Engagement in the Introductory Physics Lab

1. Spreadsheets for Enhancement and Engagement in the Introductory Physics Lab AAPT Summer National Meeting, 2002 Boise, ID Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

2. Introduction • Brian A. Pyper BYU-Idaho Dept of Physics Utah State University Advisor: Dr. David Peak Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

3. Why Do We Have Physics Labs? • Physics is an empirical science! If we don’t spend time in a lab, there’s no difference between Physics and Mathematics. (Arons, 1993) • There are concepts and skills in Physics we learn best in the lab setting. (Bradley, 1968; Glasson, 1989) • Many types of learning styles improve understanding with ‘hands-on’ instruction. (Gardner, 1993) • Anything we can do to promote the students’ interaction with the material helps. “The best method is whatever one gets the student to spend the time with the material and strive, and strive, and strive for understanding.” (Davis, 2002) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

4. Wish List – or “I’d sure like it if students would…” • Be interested in Physics • Be confident in their understanding • Enjoy their Physics experience Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

5. How Spreadsheets Can Help: • Graphing and Data analysis • Programming Experience and Numerical Methods • Simulating the Laboratory Setting Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

6. Why Spreadsheets? • Spreadsheets are ubiquitous • Spreadsheets are simple and logical • Spreadsheets use basic and universal computer skills useful in the workplace Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

7. Three Examples: • Graphing Data Earth Satellites • Basic Programming – Numerical Methods The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Euler’s Method • Gee-Whiz Modeling Double-Slit Interference Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

8. Graphing Data: Earth Satellites Satellite Data: (From www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

9. The Worksheet (From Newton’s second law we derive: T2=4π2(Re+h)3/gRe2) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

10. Earth Satellites: The Graph Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

11. Earth Satellites: The Graph Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

12. Educational Value • Students can visualize a physical relationship that is far from intuitive • Students ‘discover’ values for physical constants • Entry to discussions about error minimization, log-log plots, appropriate units, etc. Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

13. Spreadsheets and Numerical Methods • Because of their formatting, spreadsheets allow very simple access to powerful Numerical Methods applications • Example: The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

14. The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Solution: x = Acos(ωt + φ) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

15. Euler’s Method • Use the value of the first derivative at the initial value to evaluate the function at a later point. • SO: if v=Δx/Δt thenx(t+Δt)=x(t)+v(t)*Δt and if a=Δv/Δt thenv(t+Δt)=v(t)+a(t)*Δt • The Force determines the acceleration, (a(t)=F(t)/m) and the initial conditions determine x(0)and v(0) • Euler’s Method is unstable for oscillating functions! Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

16. Cell Formulas Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

17. Euler’s SHO Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

18. Graph Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

19. Educational Value • Numerical methods and ‘best approximations’ (vs. Runge-Kutta or other methods) • Why is calculus important to Physics? Well, how small is a differential? (How small does Euler’s Δt have to be to get a certain degree of allowable error?) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

20. Gee-Whiz Modeling: Double-Slit Interference • Two-slit intensity (see Dykstra & Fuller, Wondering About Physics, Wiley, 1988 p. 109-110) I/I0=4sin2(Ф/2)cos2(δ/2)/Φ2 where Φ=2πasinφ/  ,δ=2πdsin φ/  and =wavelength, a=slit width, d=slit separation, φ=diffraction angle. Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

21. Interference Worksheet Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

22. Interference Graph Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

23. With Macros! • Record a macro changing the values of the wavelength, slit width, and slit separation. • Assign these macros to scroll buttons from the forms toolbox in the visual basic editor, and • Voila! You have an instantly changing graph of intensity vs. diffraction angle! Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

24. Example Macros 1 Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

25. The Power of Visual Basic Code • Visual Basic Code can be used to generate cell data, and plotted simply using the spreadsheet’s chart functions Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

26. Example Macros 2 Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

27. Implications for Further Research • Write a full set of Spreadsheet simulations for supplementary use in introductory-level labs • Pre-post test, compare common exam grades and course grades and survey student groups with/without the spreadsheet component for understanding and general enjoyment • Defend August 2003 Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

28. Additional Resources • Wondering About Physics, Dykstra & Fuller, Wiley 1988 • Spreadsheet Physics, Misner and Cooney, Addison Wesley 1991 • Dynamic Models in Physics Vol. 1: A Workbook of Computer Simulations Using Electronic Spreadsheets, Potter & Peck, David Barkley ed., N. Simonson & Co. 1989 • Numerical Methods for Physics, Garcia, Prentice Hall 2000 • Computational Physics, Giordano, Prentice Hall 1997 Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

29. References • A. Arons, “Guiding Insight and Inquiry in the Introductory Physics Laboratory,” The Physics Teacher31, p. 278-282 (May 1993) • R.L. Bradley, “Is the Science Laboratory Necessary for General Education Science Courses?” Science Ed.52(1) p. 58-66 (Feb. 1968) • D. Davis, "Re: Planning for a PhD in Engineering Education,” Chemed-L post 9 Feb 2002 • H. Gardner, Multiple Intelligences, Basic Books (1993) • G.E. Glasson, The Effects of Hands-on and Teacher Demonstration Laboratory Methods on Science Achievement in Relation to Reasoning Ability and Prior Knowledge,” J. Res. Sci. Teach. 26(2) p. 121-131 (1989) Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab

30. Acknowledgements • Dr. David Peak, Utah State University Dept. of Physics • My wife Heidi • My BYUI W02 PH150 lab • Partial funding through the Thomas E. Ricks Memorial Fund Spreadsheets in the Physics Lab