Wednesday, April 3, 2013

01 Units and Measurements: Teaching Resources

Introduction:
I realised there are many resources on the web and because I don't systematically keep them, I often spend loads to time searching for something that I came across before.  So I decided to start keeping track of them (hm....and hopefully) update them regularly, so I don't have to spend loads of time searching for them.

Topic 1 Measurements

 1.1 Physical Quantities and units

Possible Lesson Flow

12 Jan 2015

Today I observed a great lecture by my colleague, Arthur.  Really liked the way he progressed through the lesson.  So I decided to document it here, briefly.

Lecture Outline

1.  What is Science and Physics ?
  • systematic enterprise (scientific method)
  • testable explanations + predictions -> experimentation.
2.  What is Scientific method:
  • Based on observations forming testable hypothesis -> predictions which is testable by experimentation.
  • After many cycles of experimentation if the hypothesis works then we form theories.
  • Arthur used a very interesting example of apple falling from tree and an invisible string that holds the apple to the Earth.
3.  What do we do in experimentation?
  • Measure (apparatus) / Calculate and collect and analyse scientific data and reach conclusions
4.  Physical Quantities and Units
  • Many of the data that we collect in physics are quantifiable.
  • Brings us to what is a physical quantity.  
  • What can we do with physical quantity :
  • Law of Homogeneity of equations can be introduced here.
  • Comet and probe exercise on what physical quantities are we interested in.


 Video Resources:


 Video 1 :  Redefining the mass (1 kg) - the roundest object on earth.
  •  A beautiful video to be used on teaching the base quantities and units.
  • Discusses about how calibration standards change.
  • And how amongst the 7 fundamental quantities, only mass is still defined in terms of a carefully kept prototype in France and the problems with it.


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