Archived Problems
Sorted by Category
Using
the TV Program CSI to Explore Matter [PDF]
Students will read about how a mass
spectrometer works - the kind used in the TV Series
CSI, and learn how to interpret a simple spectrum to
find out which elements are present in a mystery
sample.
Magnetic
Forces and Kinetic Energy [PDF] Students use the formula for the Kinetic Energy of
a charged particle to calculate particle speeds for
different voltages, and answer simple questions about
lightning, aurora and Earth's radiation
belts.
Kinetic
Energy and Particle Motion [PDF] Students learn about kinetic energy and how this
concept applies to charged particles. They calculate
the speed of a particle for various particle
energies.
Magnetic
Energy From B to V [PDF] Students
will use formulas for the volume of a sphere and
cylinder, and magnetic energy, to calculate the total
magnetic energy of two important 'batteries' for space
weather phenomena- solar prominences and the Earth's
magnetotail. This requires scientific notation, a
calculator, and experience with algebraic equations
with integer powers of 2 and 3.
The
Distance to Earth's Magnetopause [PDF] Students use an algebraic formula and some real
data, to calculate the distance from Earth to the
magnetopause, where solar wind and magnetosphere
pressure are in balance.
An
Application of the Pythagorean Theorem [PDF]
Students learn that the Pythagorean
Theorem is more than a geometric concept. Scientists
use it all the time when calculating lengths, speeds or
other quantities. This problem is an introduction to
magnetism, which is a '3-dimensional vector', and how
to calculate magnetic strengths using the Pythagorean
Theorem.
Magnetic
Forces and Particle Motion [PDF] Students learn about the spiral-shaped
trajectories of charged particles moving in magnetic
fields, and calculate some basic properties of this
'cyclotron' motion.
Magnetic Storms II [PDF] Students
learn about the Kp index using a bar graph. They use
the graph to answer simple questions about maxima and
time.
Magnetic Storms I [PDF] Students
learn about magnetic storms using real data in the form
of a line graph. They answer simple questions about
data range, maximum, and minimum.
The
Wandering Magnetic North Pole [PDF] Mapmakers have known for centuries that Earth's
magnetic North Pole does not stay put. This activity
will have students read a map and calculate the speed
of the 'polar wander' from 300 AD to 2000 AD. They will
use the map scale and a string to measure the distance
traveled by the pole in a set period of time and
calculate the wander speed in km/year. They will answer
questions about this changing speed.
The
Ring Current [PDF] Students use
the formula for a disk to calculate the mass of the
ring current surrounding Earth.
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