Course (PHY 112) Topics Addressed:

IV.              Modern physics

A.     Quantum mechanics

B.     Relativity

C.     Atomic and nuclear physics

Competencies Addressed:

1.      Explain the application of fundamental physical principles to various physical phenomena.

2.      Apply the Scientific Method to physical phenomena for hypothesis development, experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis.

3.      Effectively communicate qualitative and quantitative information, orally and in writing.

4.      Apply appropriate problem-solving techniques to practical and meaningful problems, using graphical, mathematical, and written modeling tools.

5.      Work effectively in collaborative groups.

Design Project Summary – Design a means to travel to a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A and return within one generation. You need not build the system to get full credit (but I’ll give you extra credit if you do!)

General Project Information - This is a team activity. You will be assigned to a team of 3-4 people. Each member of the team is expected to be able to serve as team spokesperson and to be fully involved with all aspects of the team’s entries. The entries are to reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members.

Since no building is required, no budget is either.

Each team will make a PowerPoint presentation and will submit a written technical report. The presentations will take place the day of the intergalactic travel demonstrations (if there are any) and the report will be due the class period immediately following the demonstrations.

Each team member will maintain an individual class notebook. The notebook will be due the class period immediately following the competition/demonstrations.

CAB Specifics

• You need to consider all aspects of this round trip, including (but not necessarily limited to): human physiology, structure of matter, space-time, position, velocity, acceleration, and souvenirs. Your biggest challenge will be to artfully weave all of the Modern Physics topics into your solution.
• You may not plagiarize! Be sure that your solution draws on many sources.
• You will be judged on the creativity and reasonableness of your solution (according to the judge).

Project Evaluation Criteria - CAB Design

Team Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Judge’s Name:__________________________________

Is it reasonable? (yes = 100, kinda = 50, not even = 0) R = __________

Is it creative? (yes = 100, kinda = 50, not even = 0) C = __________

Raw score N = ____________

Class max raw score N_max = ____________

Final Score F = ____________

Team Written Technical Report - CAB

Each team must submit a written report describing the design of their space travel. The report must be a computer printed document on 8 ½” X 11” white paper, double-spaced with 1” margins all around, 12 point font size and Times New Roman font. Report must be 5-10 pages in length (not including Appendices).

1        Cover Page

a)      Team Name

b)      Team Member Names

c)      Report Date

d)      Abstract (½ page summary)

2        Table of Contents

3        Introduction

4        Design

5        Construction/Operation (how would you build it and how would it work)

6        Conclusion/Recommendations

7        Appendices

a)      Space Travel System Drawings (front, side and top)

b)      Performance Data (tables and graphs of pertinent data) (Make these up?)

c)      Budget (materials list and copies of receipts) (What might it cost?)

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Precision – reader able to replicate transport system (0-10 points) _____

Mechanics – college level writing (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

PowerPoint Presentation

The presentation should be 8-12 minutes in length and each team member should have a specific role in the presentation. The presentation should include:

1        Technical Details

a)      Drawings

b)      Performance Data

2        Design Challenges/Successes

3        Suggestions for Improvement

4        Physics Highlights/Lowlights

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Interest – kept audiences’ attention (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

Individual Class Notebook

Each student must submit a notebook with the following sections:

1. Daily Activity Journal - include a brief entry for every physics related activity (i.e. class, team meeting, individual study)

1. Date
2. Time In/Out
3. Summary
4. Findings
5. Questions

2. Project Summary-

6. Abstract (~250 words)
7. What worked/didn’t
8. Data and analysis

                                                               i.      Table(s)

                                                             ii.      Graph(s)

                                                            iii.      Equations/Calculations

                                                           iv.      Error Analysis

3. Project Self/Peer Evaluation

9. Quality of work
10. Quantity of work
11. Comments

4. Competency Evidence – list of course competencies and evidence of how each was attained
5. Topic Coverage – explain/describe physics topics included in this project

12. English definition
13. Graphical representation(s)
14. Mathematical representation(s)
15. Application to this project
16. Application to other area(s) of your life

6. (Optional) Summary/Synthesis of other teams’ projects

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-50 points (10 pts/section)) _____

Mechanics – legible, college level writing (0-20 points) _____

Optional Summary (0-10 points) _____

Optional Synthesis (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

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