SEARCH FOR ABSOLUTE ZERO
Intended grade level: High School Physics
Focus: The purpose of this lesson is for students to use primary and secondary source material to research the concept of absolute zero. They will survey the current research involving extreme cold , and become aware of the many new discoveries and applications this research has lead to.
Standards Assessed :
Physical Science 2 : Know and understand common properties, forms, and changes in matter and energy.
2.4 Describing and explaining physical interaction of matter using conceptual models.
Standards Addressed :
Science 1 : Understand the process of scientific investigation and design, conduct, communicate about, and evaluate such investigation.
Assessment: The assessment consist of completion of the worksheet "How Low Can You Go" from information from the University of Colorado Physics web site: http://colorado.edu/physics/2000 . The student must explore this web site and several links in order to answer the assigned questions. Some of the questions are open ended and require the student to evaluate and choose areas of personal interest, and then research these areas.
Time: Two 50-minute class periods
Materials:
- One copy of "How Low Can You Go" worksheet for each student.
- One Internet ready computer per pair of students
Possible Procedures :
1. Discuss with students the concepts of primary and secondary source material. In science, data and lab notebooks are frequently the primary source materials used.
2. Distribute the worksheet. Ask students to notate which of their answers on the worksheet are from primary and secondary sources.
3. Have the students answer questions 1 and 2.
4. Briefly discuss the concept that theoretical physics research often leads to diverse technological developments with a high impact on our society. Some examples could be ; Photovoltaics, Nuclear Power and Weapons, Space Exploration and Microtechnologies.
5. Have students go to the web site and begin their search.
-Robert Rogers, St. Mary's High School, Colorado Springs, CO
