[MAAPT] Saturday's agenda

[Andy Rundquist]

See below the agenda for Saturday.

The meeting will take place in room 133 Tate Hall on the Minneapolis
campus of the University of Minnesota.  There will be signs as to which
door is open.  A map can be found at

http://www.onestop.umn.edu/Maps/Phys/

Parking is unfortunately not free around here unless one is clever and
can find street parking in nearby neighborhoods.  Information can be 
found at

http://www1.umn.edu/pts/publicparking.htm

There is a bit of a discount on weekends at some of the ramps.

Information about local hotels can be found at:

http://www.parent.umn.edu/hotels.html

Note that there is a home football game that day that begins at 2:30.

8:00 - 8:30 Check in and social snack time

8:30 - 8:50 Clayton Gearhart, St. John's University

Title: The rotational specific heat of molecular hydrogen in the old 
quantum theory

Abstract: In 1911, the physical chemist Walther Nernst predicted, based 
on the new quantum theory, that the rotational contribution to the 
specific heat of hydrogen might vanish at low temperatures.  The first 
measurements were made in 1912.  Einstein, Planck, Bohr, Schrödinger 
and John Van Vleck are only a few of the physicists who attempted 
theoretical descriptions. Despite these efforts, the problem proved 
intractable before the advent of modern quantum mechanics.  It is an 
intriguing story.

8:50 - 9:10 Bruce Bolon, Hamline University

Title: Multiple antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces as a probe of 
grain size dependent exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe50Mn50

Abstract: We have used ferromagnet/antiferromagnet/ferromagnet trilayers 
and ferromagnet/antiferromagnet multilayers to probe the grain size 
dependence of exchange bias in polycrystalline Co/Fe50­Mn50. X-ray 
diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the Fe50Mn50 
(FeMn) grain size increases with increasing FeMn thickness in the Co (30 
Å) / FeMn system. Hence, in Co(30 Å) / FeMn(tAF Å ) / Co(30 Å) trilayers 
the two Co layers sample different FeMn grain sizes at the two 
antiferromagnet/ferromagnet interfaces. For FeMn thicknesses above 100 
Å, where simple bilayers have a thickness independent exchange bias, we 
are therefore able to deduce the influence of FeMn grain size on the 
exchange bias and coercivity (and their temperature dependence) simply 
by measuring trilayer and multilayer samples with varying FeMn 
thickness. This can be done while maintaining the (111) orientation, and 
with little variation in interface roughness. Increasing the average 
grain size from 90 to 135 Å results in a fourfold decrease in exchange 
bias. We interpret the results as being due to a decrease in 
uncompensated spin density with increasing antiferromagnet grain size, 
further evidence for the importance of defect-generated uncompensated spins.

9:10 - 9:30 Zach Simmons, University of St. Thomas

Title: Quantifying chaos

Abstract: Chaos is not predictable over the long term, but it is not 
random either; it has structure in phase space.  Thankfully, there are 
invariant measurements within this structure that give us quantitative 
information about how chaotic a system is.  One of the main measurement 
tools we have are Lyapunov exponents.  This paper will discuss numerical 
analysis of chaotic data towards accurate Lyapunov exponent calculation 
as applied to the Lorentz attractor and a chaotic pendulum.

9:30 - 9:50 Matt Jungwirth, University of St. Thomas

Title: A Magnetic Dipole-Dipole Interaction in a Chaotic Pendulum

Abstract: Our research focuses on the addition of magnetic dipole-dipole 
interaction to a chaotic pendulum.  The torque created by the 
dipole-dipole interaction affects the system at low pendulum speeds and 
low pendulum angles, as evidenced by the Poincare section.  Also, the 
potential energy graph has moved from previously a single well to a 
double well.  All these effects are highly dependent upon the strength 
of the two additional permanent magnets.

9:50 - 10:30 poster session and snack:
posters:
Anna Schliep, UM Morris

Title: Sound generation in strings by air movement

Abstract: Our goal was to study the effects of wind speed, string 
tension, and flutter producer size on the generation of sound in 
strings. We did this using a wind canal to provide constant “wind” 
conditions while varying string tension and wind speed for several 
flutter producers. This data will contribute to the design of a wind 
played stringed instrument that would be suitable for a sound garden.

Sam Geller, UM Morris

Title: Monte Carlo Simulation of Vacancies in an Argon Crystal

Abstract: We are interested in finding an algorithm to study stable 
configurations for vacancies in a molecular solid.  The test system we 
used is solid Argon due to its structural simplicity.  The algorithm is 
implemented in FORTRAN and runs on a Beowulf Linux cluster.  A Monte 
Carlo simulation is used to create and destroy particles within an ideal 
crystal under various temperature and pressure conditions.  We present 
the algorithm and preliminary results.

Andy Rundquist, Hamline University

Title: Online concept test database

Abstract: I have begun to develop an online database of concept quizzes 
for use in physics lectures.  I will display the system and take 
suggestions for making it more user friendly.

10:30 - 10:50 Mike Maas, Eden Prairie High School

Title: The importance and need for Research Experiences for Teachers in 
physics and related areas

Abstract: I plan to offer reflections and insights upon two RET 
experiences I have had at the University of Minnesota, one being with 
Professor Ned Mohan during which I studied current topics in renewable 
energy and explored ways to incorporate them into the high school 
curriculum, and the other with Professor Terry Jones in the Department 
of Astronomy.  Each experience has contributed to my teaching, 
professional development, and has positively impacted students in my 
school.  I would also like to share thoughts and discussion about the 
importance of programs like RET and the need to connect high school 
physics teachers with university level physics professors on a local and 
national level.

10:50 - 11:10 Terry Jones, UM Twin Cities

Title: RET: Facilitating an experience to enhance teachers' skills and 
knowledge"

11:10 - 11:20 Discussion about RET

11:20 - 11:50 Richard Lahti, Minnesota State University

Title: Integrating computer simulations in science and the Minnesota 
Academic Standards

Abstract: In 2007, No Child Left Behind will require science testing. 
Minnesota has decided to administer this test (an MCA II) 100% online, 
with a series of interactive scenarios comprising the test.
The presentation will cover:
* Links to websites that offer high-quality and free science simulations
* Lesson plans integrating some of these simulations and Minnesota 
science standards
* Discussions of “best practices” using science simulations.
Although there are some disadvantages to simulations, simulations offer 
several advantages to "wet" labs including a) cost, b) set-up and 
clean-up time c) speed of data collection, and d) data that is usually 
more illustrative of the concept/law that the lab intends to convey, 
without the large random errors that often occur in a "wet" setting.

11:50 - 12:10 Paul Knutson, UM Twin Cities

Title: Can We Measure Student Learning in Introductory Physics Labs?

Abstract: Students spend two hours in an introductory physics lab but 
there is little evidence that meaningful learning takes place during 
that time.  At the University of Minnesota we are attempting to measure 
short term student learning in the laboratory by means of questions 
given at the beginning and at the end of a laboratory session.  This 
talk will describe what is being done and present some very preliminary 
results.

12:10 - 1:45 Lunch and business meeting

1:45 - 2:15 Brian Andersson, UM Twin Cities

Title: Demonstration show

2:15 - 2:45 Lab tours by Sean Albiston

2:15 - 3:15 (note same time as tours) Paul Nienaber, Leon Hsu

Title: Science Rules!  Using Strategy Games to Teach the Scientific Process

Abstract: Participants will engage in and discuss laboratory exercises 
designed to help students explore the nature of the scientific process. 
  This topic is often easy to caricature and difficult to model well; 
some recent work by Masters and Maloney on the use of strategy games 
will focus the discussion.