Physics for Babies
The essence of modern physics: We learn about the world we live in by throwing things at other things and seeing what happens when they collide.Posted on May 11, 2008 3:53 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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"Prof. Orzel gives the impression of an everyday guy who just happens to have a vast but hidden knowledge of physics." (anonymous student evaluation comment)
The miscellaneous ramblings of a physicist at a small liberal arts college. Physics, politics, pop culture, and occasional conversations with his dog.
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- NYC Trip: Excellent Art at the Met
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- links for 2008-05-14
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- Why Capital Punishment Is a Bad Idea
- College: Poisoning Young Minds Since Forever
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- Travis Hime on NYC Trip: American Museum of Natural History
- Barn Owl on NYC Trip: Bad and Ugly at the Met
- Ambitwistor on NYC Trip: American Museum of Natural History
- Ambitwistor on NYC Trip: American Museum of Natural History
- Jonathan on A Pro-Science Film Festival: Why Not?
- Kate Nepveu on NYC Trip: Excellent Art at the Met
- Mike Bruce on NYC Trip: Bad and Ugly at the Met
- Mike Bruce on NYC Trip: Bad and Ugly at the Met
- Susan B. on NYC Trip: Bad and Ugly at the Met
- JT on NYC Trip: American Museum of Natural History
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Physics:
Digital Is Not Infallible
I've been grading lab reports in two different classes, and I've been struck once again by the way that students attach mystical properties to anything with a digital readout. The uncertainty used in calculations is invariably put down as half...Posted on May 8, 2008 11:55 AM • 21 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Non-Dorky Poll: Beer Pong
Paddles or no?Posted on May 8, 2008 9:17 AM • 13 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Relative Dog Motion
"Oh, God," I say to the dog. "Don't tell me you ran out of quantum physics books, and have started reading about relativity."Posted on May 5, 2008 10:50 AM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Dorky Poll: Non-Abelian Sciences
Chemical Physics or Physical Chemistry? And what's the difference, anyway?Posted on May 2, 2008 8:49 AM • 16 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Familiarity and Lies-to-Children
Schoolhouse rock, framing, and thrilling tales of physics pedagogy, all in one convenient post...Posted on May 1, 2008 9:40 AM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Telegraph Steals My Ideas
Via Swans On Tea, an article in the Telegraph about the Greatest Experiments in Science. Been there, done that, picked a winner. Over two years ago. Way to go, Torygraph. OK, fine, they did all of science, while I was...Posted on April 30, 2008 9:49 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
God and Physics
Via the Zeitgeist, the Templeton Foundation has asked a bunch of famous smart people "Does science make belief in God obsolete?" I wouldn't ordinarily note this, but if you scroll down a little, you'll find my thesis advisor, Bill Phillips,...Posted on April 29, 2008 11:32 AM • 50 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Physics to Finance
Notes from a frank and detailed talk by an alumnus who went to Wall Street.Posted on April 29, 2008 9:54 AM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
A Stable Heavy Element?
I see a lot of science stories that sound like kookery, but this is the first in a while that sounds like Golden Age science fiction.Posted on April 29, 2008 8:07 AM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Matter and Interactions by Chabay and Sherwood
Today's episode of "Thrilling Tales of Physics Pedagogy" is brought to you through a comment by CCPhysicst who picks up on the implications of last week's schedule post: You are ripping right along in that course. You do E and...Posted on April 28, 2008 10:38 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
What a Drag
Today's lesson on Experimental Physics for Morons: Wind resistance is a significant problem.Posted on April 26, 2008 11:43 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Abstraction, Compartmentalization, and Education
Given the amount of time I've spent writing about academic issues this week, it's only fitting that the science story getting the most play is about math education. Ed Yong provides a detailed explanation, and Kenneth Chang summarizes the work...Posted on April 25, 2008 9:04 AM • 12 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Japanese Directions Theory of Pedagogy
It occurred to me this morning, that in some senses, what I'm trying to do with lab pedagogy is rather like giving directions in Japan.Posted on April 24, 2008 11:24 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Quantum Computing in Diamond
Two weeks ago, now, I promised some peer=reviewed physics blogging, to compensate for the "screechy monkey" nonsense. Of course, I got distracted by other things, but I've been sitting on this paper for a while now, and I really need...Posted on April 22, 2008 10:22 AM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Ask a ScienceBlogger: What's in the Air?
What is in the air we breathe? What is it's chemical composition?Posted on April 21, 2008 12:06 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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