Physics News from the AIP No 2, Term 1 2005



VicPhysics News: Term 2, No 5 2017

Dear ,

Table of Contents

1. Starting Unit 2

2. Starting Unit 4

3. Systems Engineering new Study Design: VCAA Consultation closes 30th June

4. Road Safety Initiative by Melbourne Museum: Seeking members for a reference group

5. Flipping Physics: More Resources

6. ANSTO Big Ideas Forum: Two Year 10 students and a teacher, 6th - 9th November, Sydney

7. Forthcoming events for Students and the General Public

a) How to Read Earth History from the Rocks, 6:30pm, Friday, 7th July, Swinburne University

b) Physics and Chemistry Lectures, 10:30am, 20th July, Federation University, Ballarat

c) Girls in Physics Breakfasts, 21st July, 15th August, First event's closing date: Last day, Term 2

d) Lectures on Dark Matter: Regional and Central, Term 3

8. Forthcoming events for Teachers

a) July Lectures in Physics; 6:30pm, 7th July, 14th July, 28th July

9. Physics News from the Web

a) Smooth sailing: Superhydrophobic surfaces

b) Sensors track eyes using electric fields

c) 3D-printing sensitive robot skin

The next meeting of the Vicphysics Teachers' Network will be at 5pm on Thursday, 21st July at Melbourne Girls' College. All teachers are welcome to attend this or any other meeting. If you would like to attend, please contact Vicphysics at vicphys@

Regards,

Frances Sidari (Pres), Jane Coyle (Vice Pres), Barbara McKinnon (Sec) and Dan O'Keeffe (Treas).

The executive of the VicPhysics Teachers' Network.

1. Starting Unit 2

Late last year Vicphysics surveyed teachers on how they conducted the Unit 2 Options and Practical Investigations.

Options: Most ran than one option in the class, with 20% running more than five options. Vicphysics encourages teachers to do more than one option. The classroom exposure of students to other options enables informal learning, expands their perceived horizon of physics and increases their enjoyment of the subject.

The 2016 conference proceedings includes a zip file of resources on teaching multiple options.

Each of the options also has its own webpage on the vicphysics website, check under 'Teachers', then 'Unit 2'.

Practical Investigation: From the survey responses, for most teachers their students were able to suggest topics of their own or choose from a list of possible topics. Aspects that some teachers would change for this year were:

• assess in stages,

• more emphasis on the students' planning of the task,

• more topic choice for students,

• less similar topics,

• restrict to pairs,

• provide more feedback to students.

The Vicphysics website now has a new webpage for students on the Practical Investigation. It is in the menu under 'Students' and has the address . It has information on possible topics, the use of a logbook and the design of a poster and templates.

The webpage for teachers, , has all of the above and more. There is also a webpage of FAQs and Tips, .

Practical Investigation Competitions for Students

There are three competitions on the Practical Investigation that students can enter.

• Victorian Young Physicists' Tournament (VYPT)

Students in teams of three research three common topics and on 24th October at Monash University, present and defend their research against other teams and challenge the research of other teams. For more details on topics, etc, go to

• Poster Competition

Schools enter up to 3 student posters in a pdf format with up to 10 prizes to the students whose posters meet the criteria. For more details, including entries with comments from last year, go to

• Prizes for research in a topic on Sound

The Australian Acoustics Society (AAS) is sponsoring prizes for high school students who conduct research in the field of acoustics. The Unit 2 option: 'How instruments make music?' is closely aligned with acoustics. Similarly the Sound features in the Unit 4 Are of Study on Waves. For more details go to

2. Starting Unit 4

There are two significant changes for Unit 4: the Practical Investigation and some content changes.

Practical Investigation: The practical investigation is now its own Area of Study, with enhanced status and contribution to the overall assessment. One change is that each student's topic should have two independent variables that are both continuous. This increases the depth of the analysis, so sufficient class time should be allocated to the Practical Investigation, at least three weeks seems advisable.

The other change is the requirement that students submit a report of their investigation as a poster. It would be less demanding for students to use one of the Powerpoint slide templates on the Vicphysics website and just paste content into each of the sections of the slide and then adjust the text and box sizes for balance and coverage.

In assessing the investigation, to ease the pressure on students and the marking burden on you, it may be prudent to assess the planning and the log book, as well as the poster.

The Vicphysics website now has a new webpage for students on the Practical Investigation. It is in the menu under 'Students' and has the address . It has information on possible topics, the use of a logbook and the design of a poster and templates.

The webpage for teachers, , has all of the above and more, including rubrics. There is also a webpage of FAQs and Tips,

Prizes for research in Sound The prizes mentioned above for Year 11 students is also open to Year 12 students.

New Content: The content in the other two Areas of Study is largely familiar material, the old Light and Matter and some Light from the old Unit 2 with some Sound thrown in. However, there are a few dot points that deserve some consideration - i) to interpret the dot point, ii) work out how to explain it to the students, iii) what resources will you need to support your treatment and iv) how will the students show you that they understand it.

Such dot points are:

a. investigate and describe theoretically and practically the effects of varying the width of a gap or diameter of an obstacle on the diffraction pattern produced by light and apply this to limitations of imaging using light . This latter section in bold is about resolution, but only in a qualitative sense as there is no related formula in the formula sheet. It may be sufficient to refer to the Rayleigh criterion, where the first diffraction minimum of the image of one source overlaps the maximum of the image of another source.

b. explain how diffraction from a single slit experiment can be used to illustrate Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. The Uncertainty Principle in the position and momentum version is included in the formula sheet, so quantitative questions are possible. However explaining is more difficult. Check out this Veritasium video, or for more detail, this TEDEd talk or the presentation from the 2017 Conference at .

c. explain why classical laws of physics are not appropriate to model motion at very small scales. This question can be addressed in varying degrees of sophistication. It may be sufficient to say that the classical laws distinguish between particles and waves, whereas the quantum world does not. Citing HUP as the boundary between classical and quantum behaviour also seems relevant. Also, classical events are continuous, while quantum events are discrete. This short youtube video covers the differences between classical and quantum very well, but it is pedestrian in manner, so you could extract the content and do it yourself.

3. Systems Engineering draft Study Design: VCAA Consultation closes 30th June

The VCE subject, Systems Engineering, has some content overlap with Physics, although more with the old course, specifically in regard to electronics. A number of physics teachers also teach it. The current System Engineering Study design expires at the end of 2018. VCAA is currently conducting consultation on a draft study design. The consultation runs until 30th June this year.

The draft study design, a summary of the proposed changes and a link to an online survey can be accessed at

The structure of the subject is: Unit 1: Mechanical systems, Unit 2: Electrotechnology systems, Unit 3: Integrated systems, Clean energy, Unit 4: System control, New technologies.

'Systems Engineering' emphasises a process where students 'need to consider a range of factors that may influence the design, planning, production and use of a system, including function, user needs and requirements, appropriate materials and components, environment of use, safety, minimisation of waste and energy use, and associated costs'.

The review of VCE Systems Engineering, in part, focused on:

• Updating of content to ensure currency of the study design,

• Increasing opportunities to using digital technologies for teaching and learning and assessment, with greater opportunities to use open source technology.

4. Road Safety Initiative by Melbourne Museum: Seeking members for a reference group

The TAC, Victorian Government and Museums have partnered to create a world leading Road Safety Education Complex in the Melbourne Museum in Carlton.

They are seeking physics teachers who teach year 9-10 science to consult on this new project. Members of the reference group would meet for a half-day monthly, with cover for CRT. The group will consult with exhibition and education experts from the museum and TAC in developing programs exploring Newton's laws of motion within a road safety context.

The Road Safety Education Complex will be a world first educational hub to help young people understand road safety and learn how they can help to reduce road trauma. Innovative technology will be used to ensure that the experience for students is extremely engaging and will represent best practice road safety education. The exact content is still under development and we will be revealed later in 2017.

More than 20,000 secondary students are expected to visit the complex in its first year. The complex will also be open to the general public and host international road safety delegations when not in use by secondary students. A regional outreach program will also be developed to cater for students across the state who are unable to easily access the complex in central Melbourne.

For more details

To express interest, please email Elke Barczak at ebarczak@museum..au

5. Flipping Physics: More Resources

The website, , has been set up by a US Physics teacher, Jonathan Thomas-Palmer, to assist others with introducing the flipped classroom.

Features include:

• How to flip your classroom, along with an extensive list of other resources on the flipped classroom.

• How to learn: advice for students on how to use videos in a flipped format.

• A very extensive and comprehensive list of his own videos, each with lecture notes

In June this year, Jonathan conducted a webinar for the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), which can be accessed on the website.

An edition of the Vicphysics newsletter last year detailed some useful websites on the flipped classroom. These, as well as Jonathan's are described on the Vicphysics website at under 'Teaching Strategies'.

6. ANSTO Big Ideas Forum: Year 10 students and a teacher, 6th - 9th November, Sydney

ANSTO is organising a hands on research program for 22 Year 10 students and 11 teachers from across Australia. They will meet world-class researchers and get hands-on with modern technology. They are looking for people who are creative and passionate – not necessarily the top of the class.

There is a limit of one application per school for two students and one teacher.

This event is free – flights, travel, accommodation and meals are covered by ANSTO.

Applications close 20th August. The application includes 40-second video of your two students telling ANSTO: “What problem would you like to solve through science for the future of our society?”

For more details go to

7. Forthcoming events for Students and General Public

a) Enrichment: Real time virtual classroom, Emerging Sciences Victoria, Registrations close 21st June.

Emerging Sciences Victoria is a real time, virtual classroom for Year 9 and 10 students delivering inspirational STEM subjects including:

• Frontiers of Physics (Astrophysics and astronomy)

• Nanotechnology and Nanoscience

• Neuroscience

• Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

• Mathematics

Students immerse themselves in 2 one-hour classes per week over 15 weeks. Each student will be given homework, and will complete an assessment with a report and certificate issued at the end of semester.

All subjects have limited numbers, so register today. Semester 2 registrations close 21June.

The classes are scheduled during the day.  The cost is $125 per student per subject for Government school students, for others the fee is based on the school's ICSEA score.

For more information visit here or email or call (03) 9902 0289.

Emerging Science Victoria is an initiative of the Victorian Government, John Monash Science School, Monash University and Google Education

b) The Wandering Path of A Rock Whisperer - How to Read Earth History from the Rocks, 6:30pm, Friday, 7th July, Swinburne University

Presenter: Prof. Patricia Rich, Swinburne University, Dept. of Chemistry and Biotechnology 

Date: Friday 7 July 2017

Time:6.30pm - 7.30pm

Venue: Swinburne University, Hawthorn campus, AMDC building, AMDC301

Abstract: We have been plotting the history of life around the world and climate over more than 1 billion years. Tonight we will zero in on a time when the Earth's first animals came into the picture - at a time when the planet was in the grips of a massive glaciation, Snowball Earth - which is likely better named Slushball Earth.

Please see further details and register for this public lecture by clicking on this link: 

c) Physics and Chemistry Lectures, 10:30am, 20th July, Federation University, Ballarat

The Chemistry lecturer is Prof Martyn Poliakoff, University of Nottingham, who will present the Hartung Lecture at 10:30am.  At 12:45pm A/Prof Jodie Bradby from ANU will speak on Diamonds are a scientist's best friend, 'Uncovering new materials under extreme pressure'. A/Prof Bradby was the 2015 AIP's Women in Physics lecturer.  Campus tours are available before, between or after the lectures. To book or for more details contact Stephanie Davison, STEM Outreach Coordinator.

d) Girls in Physics Breakfasts, 21st July, 15th August. First event's closing date: Last day, Term 2

There will be two Girls in Physics Breakfasts this year.

• Friday 21st July at Hawthorn Arts Centre,

• Tuesday 15th August at La Trobe University, Bundoora campus.

The events are for girls in Years 10 to 12 at which they will hear Dr Katie Mack of the University of Melbourne. Dr Mack is the 2017 Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) Women in Physics Lecturer, This breakfasts are part of her speaking tour across Australia. Swinburne University's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, La Trobe University Physics Department, the AIP Vic Branch and the Vicphysics Teachers' Network are sponsoring these events.

Her topic will be 'Everything you wanted to know about Dark Matter but were afraid to ask' Dark matter: It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. But what it is it really? Are we sure it exists at all? Can it really be explained by tiny invisible particles? Get you up to date on what we know about dark matter, how we’re searching for it, and how it differs from the other big cosmic mystery, dark energy.

Students will be seated at tables with students from other schools. At each table there will be one or two young women either in the early stages of a science or engineering career or still studying at university. Over breakfast, the students can query them about their life and work.

Cost: $15 per student. First teacher is free, extra teachers at $15 each.

Time: 7:00am until 8:45am. Dr Mack will speak at 7:50am for about 30 minutes followed by time for questions.

Numbers: There is a limit of a maximum of 6 students per school.

Booking: To register and pay for the event on Friday, 21st July, please go to Trybooking: . To register and pay for the event on Tuesday, 15th August, please go to Trybooking: .

Closing Dates:

• Hawthorn Arts Centre: 30th July

• La Trobe University: 4th August

Note: Payment needs to be made at the time of booking, so a school credit card or personal credit card will be required. School Order numbers are not accepted. There is a small Trybooking surcharge.

If a school subsequently needs an invoice number for their accounts, or if a teacher is making the payment and needs a receipt for reimbursement, please contact Vicphysics at vicphys@ .

For more details, please go to girls.html.

d) Lectures on Dark Matter: Regional and Central, Term 3

Dr Katie Mack, see item a) on Girls in Physics Breakfasts, will also be speaking in Geelong and Bendigo.

Her topic is A Tour of the Universe (and Selected Cosmic Mysteries): Everything humanity has ever seen or experienced represents a tiny speck in a vast and mysterious Universe. What else is out there, and how are we figuring it out? What puzzles wait to be solved? Com with your questions about dark matter, dark energy, black holes, or the ultimate fate of the Universe as we delve into some of cosmology’s most fundamental questions.

The talk is suitable to students in Years 10 to 12. The events are not exclusive to girls.

The Geelong event is on Friday 21st July at 1pm at Kardinia International College. To book teachers need to email Vicphysics indicating school, number of students, their Year level(s) and the number of teachers coming. Teachers are encouraged to make their bookings before 30th June.

The Bendigo event is on Monday, 14th August at 12:00pm at the Bendigo campus of La Trobe University. To book teachers need to email Rachel Meredith, r.meredith@latrobe.edu.au . The university is also offering other events for students during the day. For more details contact Rachel.

8. Forthcoming events for Teachers

a) July Lectures in Physics; 6:30pm, 7th July, 14th July, 28th July

7th July: Methods for reaching extremely high speeds: what are the prospects for fast trips to the stars?,

Prof David Jamieson

Abstract: The stars are very far away and most rockets are very slow by comparison. Yet particle accelerators on Earth, including one of the earliest machines built in Melbourne, can routinely accelerate particles to exceptionally high speeds. This lecture looks at the technology of high speed travel, the energy budget and the effects of relativity.

Venue: B117 Theatre, Melbourne School of Design

To book and map:

14th July: Humans in Space: What are the human impacts of space travel and living on other planets?

Dr Katie Mack

Abstract: Once an applicant for the astronaut program in the United States, astrophysicist Dr Katie Mack has family connections to the space program. This lecture looks at the potential for a permanent base to be established on Mars and in the more distant future visits to the outer planets and beyond.

Venue: B117 Theatre, Melbourne School of Design

To book and map

28th July: Antimatter in Space: The Alpha spectrometer on the international space station and cosmological implications,

A/Prof Martin Sevior

Abstract: A giant magnet attached to the International Space Station is being used to look for antimatter particles in the cosmic rays that come from outside our galaxy. Some theories suggest that these could come from antimatter galaxies or exotic cosmological process. This lecture looks what these signals from space have told us about fundamental symmetries in physics.

Venue: B117 Theatre, Melbourne School of Design

To book and map:

9. Physics News from the Web

Items selected from the bulletins of the Institute of Physics (UK) and the American Institute of Physics.

Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.

a) Smooth sailing: Superhydrophobic surfaces

b) Sensors track eyes using electric fields

c) 3D-printing sensitive robot skin

a) Smooth sailing: Superhydrophobic surfaces



Superhydrophobic surfaces with the right microscopic structures could be the key to reducing friction on marine vessels.

Ocean-going ships face a constant struggle. In order to maintain their motion, they must continuously overcome the drag of the water that surrounds them. When one considers that marine shipping accounts for 4% of all fossil-fuel use, a similar percentage of climate-change-causing emissions and more particulate pollution than all of the world’s cars combined, it is clear that reducing this drag by even a small fraction would bring considerable benefits. Since the drag consists mostly of friction between the skin of the moving hull and the stationary water around it, lubricating this surface to reduce frictional motion would be a big help in reducing total drag.

We usually think of lubricants as being liquids, such as oil, but when friction occurs between a solid and a liquid, gas is the only real option for lubrication. For example, a torpedo can “fly” underwater, reaching otherwise unimaginable speeds, if a large pocket of water vapour engulfs its entire body via a method known as supercavitation. Also, blowing air bubbles onto the bottom side of a ship’s hull would allow the ship to move faster at a given propelling power.

b) Sensors track eyes using electric fields



A new and faster way of tracking eye movements has been unveiled by researchers in Belgium and the Netherlands. Rather than using high-resolution digital cameras embedded in screens or glasses, the low-cost technology instead detects changes in electric field next to the eye. The team says that it could be used to create eye-tracking systems that are much faster and much cheaper than existing devices.

c) 3D-printing sensitive robot skin



A 3D-printed electronic fabric could allow robots to feel. The "bionic skin" has been developed by Michael McAlpine of the University of Minnesota in the US and colleagues, and is a step towards wearable electronics for human skin. To create the sensing fabric, the team built a customized 3D printer and used specialized "inks" to build the layers of the skin. The resulting structure has a base layer of silicone topped with electrodes and a coil-shaped pressure sensor, all made of conductive silver-silicone ink. A sacrificial layer holds the layers in place while the ink sets and is then washed away in the final manufacturing stage.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download