From Basic Physics to Geoscience Applications: Floating Golf Balls and Levitating Magnets

Details From Basic Physics to Geoscience Applications: Floating Golf Balls and Levitating Magnets From Basic Physics to Geoscience Applications: Floating Golf Balls and Levitating Magnets

Dec 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005agufmed52a..01r&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #ED52A-01

Physics

0805 Elementary And Secondary Education, 0820 Curriculum And Laboratory Design, 0825 Teaching Methods, 0845 Instructional Tools

Scientific paper

Basic physics principles often play out in interesting ways in geophysical systems. This presentation touches upon two fundamental notions from the physical sciences: the concept of density and the force of magnetism. "Exploring Density with Salt and Fresh Water: Par 5" helps students explore the concept of density by observing the density difference between fresh water and a hypersaline solution, how a less-dense layer of water can remain "afloat" atop a denser layer for extended periods of time, and how an object with a density that is intermediate between that of the two liquids (in this case, a golf ball) can remain suspended at the interface between the liquid layers. This activity serves as a discussion starter for topics such as density-driven ocean circulation and the gradual mixing of fresh and salt water at estuaries where freshwater rivers flow into the sea. "Magnetic Levitation" reminds students of the basic principles of magnetism, and encourages them to explore the concepts of force equilibrium, oscillatory motion, and damping in multiple-degree-of-freedom systems. This basic physical system also serves as a simple model of increasing density with depth in both the atmosphere and the oceans. "Magnetometer Extensions" has students use a simple, inexpensive magnetometer to simulate magnetic prospecting and to explore the symmetric patterns of polarity embedded in the igneous rocks on either side of a mid-ocean spreading ridge. Finally, in "Terrabagga", students use a magnetometer to explore the magnetic fields of planets as though on board a spacecraft during a planetary fly-by.

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