PANUnderground

Light lab blog 7-6-09

2009-07-06T14:38:00.001-07:00

Well here we are, blogging about our light lab. Our group found that we did a good job with the correlation of light losing intensity with distance. Our precision was not so good. We had a slope of -1 ( actually -.9801) instead of -2. both or our graphs really showed the trend quite well especially the power graph. The linear graph......eh... not so much. Did we get what we expected? No, we thought we'd get something closer to the inverse square law. We obviously were off by just a bit.....well.... let's say a lot. But remember the graphs looked good. Reasons for errors could have been the external light. We were maxing out our probe at 6cm way. We also noticed our lightbulb was set crooked in the light source. Heard that another group did really well. How'd you do it?
Look forward to reading your comments. Time for supper.
Signing off,
Kim Borkowski

Friday 6-13-08

2008-06-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Today we visited the website www.universeadventure.org. it has information broken down into items that can be easily converted into activities that students can use. I am looking forward to having students work on this as a presentation assignment for other students to learn from.
What will make it( the blog) useful to you?
To keep it simple and not to busy with stuff. Categorize to make it easy to use.
What would not be useful?
Keeping too many of the old blogs. Clean it up every now and then.
How to get ppts up and video (Rss feeds).
I don't know how to use a blog to do this.

2008-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday i am running a test

Day 4

2008-06-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today I really found the Particle Adventure useful. It provided me with alot of information I was seeking. I fell much better and more adaquate than yesterday. I was also able to follow the math problem Peggy put on the board. It was very interesting and easy to fallow once i understood the particles. Time for supper.

USD PAN workshop day three

2008-06-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try a new color today since it's so gray outside. I enjoyed the presentations this morning. I have to admit some of the acronims and abreviations (especially in formulas) are unfamiliar. I understand the albebraic applications, but am lost when a -B is used vs a B. Does the negative indicate an anti beta rather than a negative value or charge on the beta? (I have to plead ignorant) I need the formulas with what each symbol represents (with the units and equvillents). That will help me A LOT.
I found Rob McTaggart's presentation very interesting, especially the discussion generated. Very interested to keep-up on what "the powers that be" are trying to integrate into the research at the mine and the purposes behind the research.

Pan USD 2008 6-10-08

2008-06-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

The main topics discussed today were chemistry of isotopes and using different kinds of radioactive detectors. I was especially interested in the connection between two different forms of water, D2O and regular H2O and the differences in the rates of reactions due to the change in mass. I never really thought about how the mass relates to rate of reaction.

Questions: Please give us a better understanding of the strong force and weak forces in an atom.
What are we actually seeing when we see the "clouds" in the cloud chamber experiment?

The additional information needed are in my questions.

I enjoyed the lecture and discussions this morning learning about atomic nuclei and how the isotopes affect the reactions; as well as, half-life and how the particles are detected. Seeing the "signature" of the radioactive samples in the lab was interesting. Provided a little CSI perspective.
The cloud chamber was a lot of fun. Glad we looked with the bright light source, it really made a positive difference.
Making the cabinet for the SDPAN-1 collector. "Those of you that left before 5:08 were not on the naming committee, sorry.
But we can change the name if anyone has objections.
Time for food. Signing off. Kim B

6-9-08

2008-06-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm in. Now we are to blog. New experience for me. hope i can remember all these passwords.
The power point will be helpful to me as a teacher. i am looking forward to using it in my classes or at least parts of it.
I am too confused to have questions at this point. Staff and others have been very helpful in assisting me today.
Additional information: I need some more background on the smaller particles found in the atom.
Hopefully all this will become easier by use and familiarity.