Enhancing Physics Laboratories with Video Technology

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Clear, unambiguous, "real world" physics laboratory experiences are crucial for the development of an appreciation and understanding of physics by the non-physics major. Heidelberg College is addressing this need by developing laboratory experiences that utilize a "video system" (camcorder, jog and shuttle player, monitor and tripod).The equipment acquired with this grant is being used to conduct experiments in the areas of kinematics, dynamics, momentum, angular motion, and energy. These are areas which students have found difficult to visualize and understand. The video equipment is providing students with tools to record the complex or short duration events common to these areas, and analyze the events step-by- step as the events progress in time.The power of the video system is that it aids students in observing and quantifying "real world" events that normally cannot be considered in the introductory laboratory because of size, spatial, and time limitations. For non-physics majors, it is sometimes the first time they discover that physics exists outside of the laboratory.NSF funds are being matched with funds from non- federal sources.