The Physics Bowl is sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers a(AAPT). Every April, approximately 10,000 students take a 40-question, 45-minute timed, multiple-choice test under their school’s supervision. The exam is designed to be challenging, with average scores of about 50 percent. Questions are based on topics and concepts covered in a typical high school physics course.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) advances the understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and energy by providing leadership and resources for qualified researchers to conduct basic research at the frontiers of high energy physics and related disciplines. Fermilab conducts basic research into particle physics. The laboratory grounds offer an ample supply of open country for various recreational activities. From picnicking on the restored prairie to bicycling on their series of trails, you will find Fermilab's campus to be an endless source of outdoor enjoyment.
This overview of quantum physics uses the metaphor of Alice in Wonderland, which includes such characters as the Three Quark Brothers, the Uncertain Accountant, and the Heisenberg Energy Bank. All of the major discoveries and experiments are covered without the complex mathematics. Entertaining, educational and understandable by adults and profoundly gifted children.
This series of books introduces you to science with wacky facts and information. Inspired by the British series of history books by Terry Deary, this set of books covers physics, chemistry and natural sciences.
This introductory physics textbook focuses primarily on the concepts of physics; a minimal amount of mathematics is needed, unlike other high school physics programs. This is a standard student textbook; optional teachers' guides and lab manuals may be purchased separately, but would augment the program a great deal.
This book is a thoroughly researched and documented "biography" of the equation E=mc^2, written for the lay person with an interest in science. It starts with the history of each term of the equation and the equation's "ancestors".
In this book, authors Paul J. Steinhardt and Neil Turok, both distinguished theoretical physicists, critique the Big Bang theory and recount the remarkable developments in astronomy, particle physics, and superstring theory that form the basis for a groundbreaking alternative, the “Cyclic Universe” theory.
This book was originally published in 1880 and imagines a two-dimensional world inhabited by sentient geometric shapes who think their planar world is all there is. But one Flatlander, a Square, discovers the existence of a third dimension and the limits of his world's assumptions about reality and comes to understand the confusing problem of higher dimensions. This book contains accessible and explanations of geometry and physics for the curious non-mathematicians.
Author George Gamow, one of the greatest 20th century physicists, tends to get forgotten these days with his books now more than 40 years old. Some, like his history of 20th century physics, may seem dated in light of the discoveries since then, but there's still magic in the pages, whether explaining the wonders of infinite series, or how to locate a hidden pirate's treasure chest using imaginary numbers. Unlike many modern popular science writers, Gamow didn't shy away from showing the math - he could explain in a way that an elementary school child could understand. A wonderful book for the child or adult who isn't afraid to think.
An in-depth review of high school and first-year college physics, this new edition is also helpful a preparation for physics portions of standardized tests.
Discusses motion, forces, machines, energy, heat, wave motion, noise and music, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, electronics, properties of light, and an introduction to nuclear physics.
This book reprints the six easiest chapters from Feynman's celebrated Lectures on Physics (LJ 12/15/63), which the Nobel Prize-winning scientist delivered from 1961 to 1963 at the California Institute of Technology. Intended for as wide an audience as possible, these chapters are primarily qualitative in nature, with a minimum of formal mathematics. They discuss atoms, basic physics, the relation of physics to other sciences, the conservation of energy, gravitation, and quantum behavior.
In George Johnson's biography of Nobel Prize-winner Murray Gell-Mann, we see Gell-Mann as a child prodigy; Gell-Mann entering Yale at 15; Gell-Mann the world traveler and master of particle physics.
This book discusses what makes up the world around us in an entertaining Q & A format. The questions are those that kids might ask, grouped into topic areas including matter, changes in matter, engineering, food and new materials. It doesn't sacrifice accuracy to simplify the answers, and explanations are technically correct and all interesting.
It could be argued that the 20th century was the century of theoretical physics. The Genius of Science is a portrait gallery of 16 of the most interesting international physicists who helped change our view of the world--from Niels Bohr to Eugene Wigner. Author Abraham Pais, an eminent American theoretical physicist and professor at Rockefeller University, has written acclaimed biographies of Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr, two of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. Pais was acquainted with many of the people he writes about.
Decades ago physicist Gamow presented scientific ideas to the layperson through a fictional character, C.G.H. Tompkins, a bank clerk interested in modern science. Gamow produced two popular books featuring Tompkins and then combined them in one paperback. Now science writer Stannard presents a revised version of that book. Tompkins is still a willing if rather dim learner in his associations with a physicist identified only as 'the professor.' Gamow and Stannard deal with such concepts as relativity, quantum theory and the structure of the atom.
This book, written by Nobel Prize-winning physicist M. Gell-Mann, is an engaging introduction to the life's work of one of this century's most accomplished and influential scientists. This is Gell-Mann's own story of finding the connections between the basic laws of physics and the complexity and diversity of the natural world. From the simple, a quark inside an atom, to the complex, a jaguar prowling its jungle territory. Exploring the relationship between them becomes a series of exciting intellectual adventures.
This is a kid-friendly series that explains Einstein's three main laws. Uncle Albert, the famous scientist, has got stuck. To unlock the deep mysteries of space and time someone must agree to be beamed up into the unknown world of the thought bubble. His brave niece, Gadanken, decides to risk it and so begins her exciting and astonishing adventures. There are three different books, one for every law.
This book provides activities and exercises in a variety of topics in mathematics and physics with an approach focused on problem solving and logical thinking.
This article by Raymond Ravaglia, J. Acacio-de-Barros, and Patrick Suppes (of Stanford University) describes two college-level introductory courses in physics, with calculus prerequisites, that are entirely computer-based.
This is an outreach program at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), one of the world's leading nuclear physics laboratories located on the campus of Michigan State University. It is run by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics (JINA), NSCL faculty and staff. The program is designed for students who have completed at least one year of high school and teachers (primarily high school physics or chemistry).
The Tennessee Governor's School for Computational Physics is for hard-working high school sophomores and juniors with an interest in engineering, mathematics and/or science. The Governor’s School covers all basic expenses related to the program, including tuition, laptop computers, required books, room, food and transportation on field trips. Plus, students earn seven hours of college credit!
PhysicsQuest is a story-based activity that exposes middle school students to the fun and relevance of science. PhysicsQuest aims to teach middle school students physics concepts, but its overarching goal is to give them a positive experience with physics.
A free PhysicsQuest kit will be sent to registered 6-9th grade physical science classes, home school groups, science clubs, and after-school programs. The kit includes a user's manual and materials for four physics experiments.
Sixty Symbols is a collection of videos about physics and astronomy presented by experts from The University of Nottingham. The films are just fun chats with men and women who love their subject and know a lot about it! It's worth noting many symbols have multiple uses across scientific disciplines and we somtimes tackle them from an unexpected viewpoint.
This site for the TV science talk show Closer to Truth, brings scientists, scholars and artists to debate fundamental issues. Topics discussed include quantum physics, defining human consciousness, ethics and civility, societal changes created by the Internet and much more.
HyperPhysics is an educational site that develops instructional materials in physics.
PhysicsCentral is a website devoted to communicating the importance and excitement of physics. The website offers information and lessons about different aspects of physics, and also allows users to ask their own questions. The website also maintains a blog, and posts updates about physics in the news.
PhysicsWeb provides the latest news related to physics and provides access to influential articles in the field of physics and notification of current events.
This site discusses some of the principles involved in designing roller coasters.
This site offers an encyclopedia of mathematics, chemistry, physics and astronomy that gives a complete definition of the item you are looking for and relevant examples.
The World Year of Physics 2005 is a United Nations endorsed, international celebration of physics. Events throughout the year highlight the vitality of physics and its importance in the coming millennium, and will commemorate the pioneering contributions of Albert Einstein in 1905. Through the efforts of a worldwide collaboration of scientific societies, the World Year of Physics brings the excitement of physics to the public and will inspire a new generation of scientists.
An interactive science lab that allows kids to experiment with the principles of science. Three sections focus on biology, physics, and chemistry. There are experiments, activities, and questions and answer sections. The graphics/animations are very kid friendly.
This is a physics laboratory in your computer, a detailed simulation engine that allows student to build mechanical models and see how they react. Using a graphical interface students can create their own models or import the preprogrammed models on the CD or available online. It has numerous meters and graph capabilities to capture your results. Interactive Physics covers most of a first year Physics Course.
phil14 is affordable rigorous interactive online classes for homeschoolers. Classes meet College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Advanced Placement (AP) requirements and earn college credit with passing exam grades. All class sessions are discussion oriented with lots of time for personalized help. Classes leverage many resources such as recorded lectures, mathematical software and games to maximize learning.
The Cartoon Guide to Physics puts the user in the driver's seat of this highly interactive physics environment. See how gravity affects falling objects. Find out what constant acceleration actually means. The Cartoon Guide to Physics CD-ROM by best-selling author Larry Gonick...makes the subject of physics approachable and fun. With Lucy the live astronaut and her cartoon sidekick Ringo as guides, you'll experience the principles of physics in action. A must have for anyone with a passing interest in physics - or an interest in passing physics. Features: Get "behind the wheel" of many scientific experiments, manipulate variables and observe the consequences. Access historical timeline that features the great scientists' contributions to the laws of motion... Makes a complex subject approachable and interesting.
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere. the Khan Academy has 1000+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, chemistry, biology and finance which have been recorded by Salman Khan.