Physics by Design (EN)

Classroom-tested Activities Using ROBOLAB and LEGO

Every year, the students in Physics by Design, an eighth-grade science class at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge Massachusetts, design their own pan balances using LEGO pieces, string, and a set of metric masses. The design is left to them. The only requirement is that the finished balance must be accurate to within 0.5 grams. The students design and build, test and modify, until they are satisfied with their balances. When they decide they are ready, they put their balances to the final test—determining the mass of four unknown objects. These students are doing engineering while at the same time applying what they have learned about center of gravity, stability, and torque. Using the concepts in an actual design project reinforces them more effectively than completing any number of problem sets. In addition, the students have fun building their balances and feel a considerable sense of accomplishment when they successfully complete the challenge.

Notes on the 3rd Edition

Physics by Design is a project-based course that teaches classical mechanics through engineering. It covers motion, forces, fluids, stability, work, and energy. The topics are approached from an engineering perspective, with building and designing reinforcing the conceptual physics material and vice versa. Most of the designing and building is done using LEGO bricks, including the Mindstorms NXT. All of the students in the course learn programming as well as physics; by the end of the year, they are adept at it.

Preis in anderen Währungen/ Price in other currencies

Part One: Getting Started About Physics by Design

About this Book………………….………………………..…... 1-1
Classroom Management……………………………….….… 1-1
Materials Management………………………….…..….….. 1-3
Additional Resources…………………………….………..... 1-4
Project Rules………………………………………………….... 1-5

Part 2 - Introductory Activities

Introduction…………………………………….…………… 2-1
Build a Box………………………………………………..... 2-2
Picture Box…………………………………………….……… 2-5
Simple Two-Motor NXT Car I…………………………… 2-7
Simple Two-Motor NXT Car II…………………………. 2-11

Part Three: Common Palette Activities

Introduction……………………………………………....….. 3-1
Common Sense……………………………………….…...…. 3-2
Hello Goodbye………………………………………….……... 3-3
Say Cheese………………………………………….….… ….. 3-7
Mimicry…………………………………….……….……… ….. 3-10
Snake…………………………………………………..…. …... 3-13
Push-button Car………………………………………..…...… 3-16
Cloverleaf……………………………………………………..... 3-20
Programming Practice and Quiz…….…… ….…….… 3-23

Part Four: Complete Palette Activities

Introduction…………………………………………………….. 4-1
Get with the Program…………………………………………. 4-3
Inventor At a Glance………………………………………..… 4-4
Inventor Tools At a Glance………………………………....… 4-5
Inventor 1 Functions Palette At a Glance…………………… 4-6
Light Switch: Inventor 1………………………………..……… 4-7
Inventor 2 Functions Palette At a Glance…………………… 4-10
Click Beep Buzz: Inventor 2………………………………..… 4-11
Blink Blink: Inventor 2……………………………………….… 4-13
Inventor 3 Functions Palette At a Glance…………………… 4-15
Unsynchronized Motors: Inventor 3………………………..… 4-16
Inventor 4 Functions Palette At a Glance…………………… 4-18
Sound Loop : Inventor 4………………………….……………. 4-19
Push-Button Motor: Inventor 4……………………………….. 4-21
Clean Sweep…………………………………………………… 4-23
Inventor Programming and Quiz…………………………...… 4-26
New NXT Sensors…………………………………………….. 4-31
Three Ways to Stop: NXT Rotation Sensor……………….... 4-32
Clap On: NXT Sound Sensor…………………………….…… 4-35
Burglar Alarm: NXT Ultrasonic Sensor………………………. 4-38
You’ve Got Mail………………………………………………… 4-41
Simon Says: RCX Mail………………………………………… 4-42
Echo: RCX Mail………………………………………………… 4-45
Telephone: RCX Mail………………………………………….. 4-47
Count 1,2,3: RCX Mail…………………………………………. 4-50

Part Five: Projects

Introduction…………………………………………….……… 5-1
Music Box………………………………………..……….….… 5-2
Haunted House………………………………………..……… 5-6
Meet and Greet………………………………………..……… 5-10
Bug in a Box…………………………………………..………. 5-13
Outside the Box……………………………………...……... 5-17
Clean Sweep…………………………………………...……… 5-20
Applause Meter………………………………………....……. 5-24
Mini Golf……………………………………………..….…….… 5-27
Robotic Zoo………………………………………..…….…….. 5-31
Chain Reaction Machine……………………………..……… 5-35
EGGcellent Contraption……………………………..… …. 5-37
Wacky Gumball Machine…………………………..…… … 5-40

Part Six: Data Logging Activities

Introduction…………………………………………..………... 6-1
Light and Dark Scavenger Hunt………………....……… 6-2
I’m Thinking of a Number………………………...…..….. 6-6
Thunderstorm…………..………………………………...…… 6-9
Melting…………………............................................. 6-12
Cave Explorer………………………………….……….…..….. 6-16

Part Seven: Physics Activities

Introduction……………………………………………….….. 7-1
Getting Up to Speed………………………………….….... 7-2
Stop for Pedestrians………………………………………… 7-6
Parking Space…………………………………………..…. 7-9
Crossing the Lines…………………………………..…….. 7-12
Spinning your Wheels……………………..………..…….. 7-16
Zigzag and Diamond………………………………..…….. 7-21
No Wheels……………………………………………..……… 7-27
Action-Reaction Car………………………………….….… 7-31
How Many Bricks in a Newton?………………..…….. 7-36
Gear Training…………………………………………….…… 7-39
Worm Gears………………………………………………..…. 7-42
Spinning Colors………………………………………..……… 7-45
At a Snail’s Pace……………………………………..………. 7-49
Perfect Pitcher………………………………………..………. 7-52
Pulley Systems………………………………………..……… 7-57
Ramp Up…………………………………………………........ 7-63
Peak Performance………………………………………..….. 7-67
Balancing Nails…………………………………………..…… 7-71
Tightrope Walker………………………………………..……. 7-76
LEGO® Balance…………………………………...…………. 7-79
Building Pressure………………………………………...…… 7-83
Floating LEGO® Bricks…………………….….……..……. 7-88
Cartesian Diver…………………………………….………..… 7-92
Stir It Up…………………………………………..………..…… 7-95
It’s a Breeze……………………………………..………..……. 7-99
Cool It Fast………………………………………..…..…….….. 7-103
Hearing Test……………………………………..……..…….… 7-106
Musical Instrument…………………………….……...………. 7-110
Ultrasonic Pendulum………………………………..….…….. 7-115
Bright Light………………………………………..…………….. 7-120

Part Eight: Mostly Mathematics Activities

Introduction…………………………………………….…..….. 8-1
Random or Not…………………………………………..….... 8-2
Voting Machine………………………………………......…… 8-9
Do You Have a Sister?.......................................... 8-13
Reaction Time………………………………………….……... 8-19
Which Room?...................................................... 8-24
Grassfire………………………………………………….……... 8-33
Logic Gates…………………………………………….…….... 8-50





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