Lifelong learners

Sunday 22 May 2016

Maja may be on her way home to Poland but that doesn't mean she no longer needs to think about physics. Here is her Facebook post from this morning:

Bored at the airport? Let's find Physics!
a.k.a.
Episode V: The IB Strikes Back

Personal engagement: the stick bented in MY own tea!
Theory: Something about refraction goes over there. Light travels slower in the tea than in the air (it bents 'clockwise'). Therefore, we perceive the stick as bented anticlockwise.
Independent variables: length of the stick; angle the stick makes with bottom of the cup; level of the tea in the cup (thickness of tea layer)
Dependent variable: level of bending of the stick
Controlled variables: indices of refraction of the tea and the air; physical features of the stick (material, weight, etc., excluding the length immersed in the tea); the cup's features; frequency and wavelength of the light; taste and colour of the tea
(measurements estimated by eyes so uncertainties do not apply;-) )
Effects: deeper the stick - refraction weaker (less bend) BUT: is it because angle could change? Tea gets darker, could obscure the observation)
Bigger angle - better refraction
Level of tea in the cup - when less tea, refraction better visible, but again, is it the question of darker/brighter colour?
Conclusion: Next time make it with water, ruler and angle meter! Still not bad, though, looking at the airport conditions wink emoticon

(You can see the photos if you like to - it is just the evidence wink emoticon )

Maja Kabus UWCRCN 2016


Tags: IA, learner profile

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