Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Spring 2014 Meeting of the APS New England Section
Volume 59, Number 4
Friday–Saturday, April 4–5, 2014; Boston, Massachusetts
Session B1: Poster Session |
Hide Abstracts |
Room: Higgins Hall Higgins Atrium |
|
B1.00001: A neutron interferometer experiment that Quantum Mechanics cannot explain Jeffrey Boyd Neutrons enter an interferometer, are divided, then intersect each other, where there is interference [1] Detectors are located outside. Bismuth slows neutrons. Between 0 and 20 mm of it is put in the upper stream. With 2 or 4 mm of bismuth there is some slowing, evident by less interference. As the thickness of bismuth increases, eventually all interference dies out. The upper wave packet is so slow that the lower wave packet has already departed from the interferometer. The experiment is repeated with one change: an ``analyzer crystal'' is placed in front of the detector. Logically there is no way that this change, outside and downstream from the experiment, could affect interference that previously occurred. Yet the change is profound: the full amplitude of interference is restored even with 20 mm of bismuth. The authors cannot explain it and chalk it up to ``Wheeler's smoky dragon.'' The experiment can easily be explained by TEW (Theory of Elementary Waves): the waves go in the opposite direction. Waves start at the detector, travel backwards and then a neutron follows the ray backward to the detector from which that ray originated.\\[4pt] [1] Kaiser, Clothier, Werner, et al., Physical Review A, 45, (1992), 31. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00002: Very high transmittance, back-illuminated, silicon-on-sapphire universal substrate for enabling a sustainable, closed clean energy cycle Alvin G. Stern A novel, very high transmittance, back-illuminated silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) substrate design enables 93.7 percent of the full AM 1.5 solar irradiance spectrum to be transmitted into the silicon semiconductor layer to enable photovoltaic (PV) light detectors that could also include advanced, multijunction, bandgap engineered device architectures, to operate at their maximum theoretical limits of efficiency. Very high energy conversion efficiency PV devices based on the novel SOS substrate can be utilized to provide sufficient small scale electric power to single family dwellings to allow them to permanently disconnect from the electric grid and municipal gas mains. Efficient electric power generation enabled by the novel substrate would also permit dedicated solar power plants to provide industrial scale electric power for chemical electrolysis to regenerate sodium metal (Na) that was reacted with water (H$_{2}$O) to produce sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and high purity hydrogen (H$_{2})$ fuel. Low cost, efficient generation of electric power enabled by the novel SOS substrate coupled with the near limitless availability of sodium (Na) metal in sea salt and a direct electrochemical means to extract it, would ensure a fully closed clean energy cycle. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00003: MOOC-ing about in Physics Charles H. Holbrow I have enrolled in and explored a half dozen Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that teach physics, including one taught in French and one taught in Russian. These show an interesting variety of approaches that I will review and compare using examples from the different courses. Can MOOCs be effective for beginning learners? I will discuss for whom the courses seem likely to be most useful. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00004: Hierarchy in the Static Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem of One-Component Plasmas and Binary Ionic Mixtures Joshuah Heath, Kenneth Golden Fluctuation-dissipation theorems (FDTs) link transport coefficients (density response functions, conductivities, electric susceptibilities, etc.) to equilibrium $n$-point correlation functions. Of special importance to us is the applications of the FDT to one component plasmas and binary ionic mixtures. When applied to such systems, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem provides invaluable insight into response functions and transport coefficients across the non-equilibrium spectrum. We expand upon the work of K.I. Golden and G. Kalman (J. Stat. Phys. {\bf 3}, 87 (1972); Annals of Phys. {\bf 141}, 160 (1982)), which proposes a nonlinear response theory for magnetic field-free classical plasmas. We re-formulate the hierarchy of static fluctuation-dissipation relations in terms of external density response functions, and we derive relationships between screened and external response functions. This provides a systematic formalism for calculating higher order correlation functions in terms of lower-order ones. The screened response functions that we can calculate in the RPA (or any suitable approximation method which takes account of particle correlation effects beyond the RPA) can then provide insight into the hierarchy of static structure functions and their correlation functions. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00005: Introducing the ``RPPTM'' Model of Teaching Physics to Health Science Majors Dipti Sharma, Kimberly Farah Teaching Physics to Health Science (HS) Majors is a challenging task. It is may be difficult to find a connection between traditional laboratory investigations and physical concepts with Physics non-major students within a one or two semester hysics course. To engage HS students in General Physics, we introduce a teaching model ``\textbf{RPPTM''} (\underline {\textbf{R}}eal life \underline {\textbf{P}}roject based \underline {\textbf{P}}hysics \underline {\textbf{T}}eaching related to \underline {\textbf{M}}ajors) to teach Physical concepts in a fun-filled way of learning related to their major programs. Within this model, we include a research based project as part of the laboratory course, engaging students to observe actual physical actions/reactions and then apply physics principles. Students conduct a short literature review, define variables, develop a methodology prior to beginning their experimental work, perform experiments using real time data loggers and digital video analysis, develop conclusions and finish with a semester end presentation. Some of the real life projects are as follows: forces exerted by athletic shoes during plyometric jumping exercise, the effect of jump height on a horse's legs during cross-country eventing, and concussive forces resulting from the impact of a lacrosse ball on helmet all represent basic laws of physics. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00006: What is Physics of Effectiveness of a Lacrosse Helmet Dipti Sharma, Kimberly Farah Concussions resulting from sports injuries have been gaining increased attention in the media. Failure to diagnose a concussion and allowing a player to return to full activities can cause harmful and permanent damage and may ultimately be lethal. When a player is allowed to reenter the game with a concussion, a subsequent concussion may result in Second Impact Syndrome. Second Impact Syndrome can be deadly because when the brain is already injured, the injured brain is at a much greater risk of being effected by a trauma than the normal brain. This secondary trauma causes an increased rate of swelling in the cranial cavity, which results in an increase in pressure on the brain. Head injuries can be prevented by wearing a properly functioning helmet. The goal in this undergraduate project was to test the amount of force that a lacrosse ball would exert on different conditioned heads: 1) an unprotected head, 2) a head with a properly worn helmet and 3) a head with a cracked and damaged helmet. The effectiveness of the above conditions was studied by dropping a lacrosse ball from a fixed height onto different conditioned heads. The amount of force applied to the head with each level of protection was determined through video analysis using logger pro software. Results indicated that wearing a proper helmet reduced forces on the head up to 73{\%} compared to the control wearing no helmet. A defective helmet reduced force up to 22{\%}. Hence, athletes who play a contact sport should always check for defects in helmets that they wear to ensure adequate protection from concussive forces. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00007: The Physics Behind Horse Jumping Dipti Sharma, Kimberly Farah This is an undergraduate project where we wanted to connect the concepts of force and acceleration with a fun-filled real world event which would result in an interesting way of applying physics at the undergraduate level. Horse jumping plays a major role in many equestrian sports and in this project, the biomechanics of jumping were the focus of the research. In this project, our goal was to find the effect of height of a horse's jump on the force exerted on horse's hooves when it landed. Logger pro software in conjunction with video analysis was used to determine the overall force. In the experiment, a rider jumped a horse over different height jumps keeping the other parameters the same i.e. approach tempo, horse, rider and environment. The force increased in a non-linear fashion, with a 10{\%} increase in force when the jump height was raised from 2 feet to 2.5 feet and a doubling in force as the jump was raised from 2.5 to 3 feet. These results indicate that care should be taken when training to ensure that horses are only jumped as much as needed to improve their technique. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00008: Do Box Jumps Follow Newton's Laws? Dipti Sharma, Kimberly Farah We found an interesting way of teaching Newton's 2nd law to health science major students using logger pro software and a video analysis method. Box jumps are a form of plyometric exercise used to strengthen the lower extremities of the body. An athlete would use box jumps as an exercise when they are trying to build up power and explosiveness where they lift their body weight. The problem that we studied in this project is how the quality of shoes affects the box jumps and how the results can be related with the Newton's law. To do this project we used three different types of shoes; 1) Nike Air Forces, 2) Nike basketball shoes, 3) and a pair of Nike running shoes. We recorded videos for several box jumps using a motion detector and logger pro software. Later, we analyzed the video recording to get the associated take off speed and acceleration of the various shoes and then found the force exerted on the various shoe types. We found that force varied with shoe type. Wearing lighter shoes during box jumping is the most convenient as it exerts less force and less effort. The type of shoe provides different support to the foot and ankle. For example, the Air Forces had thick laces and a strap that went around the lower aspect of the ankle whereas the basketball sneakers were a bit lighter but the shoes themselves went up past the ankle region, laced the entire way up, and had an ankle strap. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00009: A scalar gravity model with an action and link to group theory Douglas Sweetser The simplest relativistic extension of Newton's theory of gravity is explored using this action: $$S = \int \sqrt{-g} dx^4 \left(-\sqrt{T_{\mu\nu}T^{\mu\nu}} ~\Phi + \frac{1}{2}(\nabla^{\mu}\Phi)(\nabla_{\mu}\Phi)\right )$$ This leads to the one field equation: $$-\sqrt{T_{\mu \nu}T^{\mu \nu}} = \frac{c^2}{G} \left(\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{d^2}{dt^2}-\nabla^2 \right)\Phi$$ The field equation has the same form as the Maxwell equations in the Lorenz gauge, justifying the similarity between Newton's law of gravity and Coulomb's law. Unlike EM but like GR, the field equation is non-linear due to the contraction of the stress-energy tensor. A deep lesson from general relativity is that any model for gravity must change the geometry of spacetime. How could this one field equation curve space-time geometry? I propose it changes the size of elements of the quaternion group $Q_8$ in the following way: $$(\pm1,\pm i, \pm j,\pm k)\rightarrow(\pm1/\Phi,\pm i~\Phi, \pm j~\Phi,\pm k~\Phi)$$ If one now calculates distances using the static, non-rotating, uncharged field solution to the field equation, $\Phi=1+GM/c^2R$, the resulting interval is the same as the Schwarzschild metric to first order in the source mass. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00010: Time Lag in K- SmA Phase Transition of 4-Decyl-4-Biphenylcarbonitrile Liquid Crystal Dipti Sharma This study explores the presence of time lag in Crystalline to Smectic A (K-SmA) phase transition of 4-Decyl-4-Biphenylcarbonitrile (10CB) liquid crystal. A non-isothermal heating and cooling study was performed for 10CB liquid crystal using calorimetric technique where heating scan was performed from 250 K to 350 K and cooling scan was performed from 350 K to 250 K. A clear difference in K-SmA phase transition was observed between heating and cooling scans. An attracting inclination effect in K-SmA transition was observed on cooling which is completely absent on heating. The inclination of the K-SmA transition peak increases and shows an existence of time lag during cooling whereas other family member shows no effect i.e. 8CB. K-SmA peak shows a lower enthalpy with higher activation when compared with 8CB. The presence of time lag and increase in activation can be explained in terms of the density and nature of the material. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00011: Electrical and Optical properties of fluorine tin- doped thin films using Chemical Bath Deposition technique Gbadebo Taofeek Yusuf This wok studied the effect of substrate temperature on the optical and electrical properties of fluorine-doped tin oxide thin films using chemical bath deposition technique. Fluorine-doped tin oxide, SnO2: F, thin films were deposited by using tin chloride and ethanol as starting material to form 0.2M of solution, EDTA was used as complexing agent. The detail of deposition procedure was reported elsewhere. The solution was maintained at 10\% F: Sn. The characteristics of the films as a function of substrate temperature were studied. The result of analysis shows the presence of F into the SnO2 lattice. The XRD analysis showed that all films structure were polycrystalline regardless of deposition condition. The electrical resistivity increased with increase substrate temperature, reaching a minimum value at lowest substrate temperature of 3500C, and highest for films deposited at 500$^{\circ}$C substrate temperature. Optical transmittance of SnO2: F films were high, in the order of 75\%, and the band gap values oscillated around 3.8 eV. The Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) surface morphologies varied with different geometries depending on the deposition conditions. Keywords: Tin Oxide; Chemical Bath, Transparent Conducting Oxides; Resistivities [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00012: Experiments with the Electrodynamic Wheel Vincent Cordrey, Ian Bean, Ozan Duran A Halbach array is a system in which a series of magnets is arranged such that the magnetic field is cancelled on one side of the array while strengthening the field on the other. Based on our previous work with linear Halbach arrays, we have followed several published papers and constructed a circular Halbach with the strong magnetic field on the outer rim of the ring. Such system is usually dubbed as an Electrodynamic Wheel (EDW). Rotating the EDW around a horizontal axis above a flat conducting surface should induce eddy currents in said surface through the variable magnetic flux. The eddy currents produce, in turn, their own magnetic fields which interact with the magnets of the EDW. We demonstrated that these interactions produce both drag and lift forces on the EDW which can theoretically be used for lift and propulsion of the EDW. The focus of our experiments is determining how to maximize the lift-to-drag ratio by the proper choice of the induction element (continuous or perforated copper or aluminum strip, system of induction coils). We describe our experiments with a rotating circular Halbach array having a magnetic field of about 1 T on the outer side of the ring, and compare our results on lift/drag ratio with theoretical calculations. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00013: Optical Properties of Erbium or Neodymium Ions in Different Kinds of Host Materials - Ceramics versus Single Crystals Gaozan Ding, Xuesheng Chen, Baldassare Di Bartolo, Gokhan Bilir Erbium or Neodymium ion doped materials have many important applications including making lasers at some most popular wavelengths such as around 1500nm and1060nm. However, their optical properties and characteristics do change with host materials as well as with the Erbium or Neodymium dopant concentrations. This research work focus on how different kinds of host materials affect the absorption spectra, emission spectra, and lifetimes. One kind of the host materials is transparent ceramic materials, and the other kind is single crystals. Absorption spectra of these optical/laser materials are investigated from UV to 3200nm. Lifetimes of different energy levels of Er and Nd ions in different hosts are studied. Detailed results and discussions will be presented. This work can provide crucial and valuable information on how different kinds of host materials, ceramics versus single crystals, affect the optical properties and characteristics of Er or Nd doped materials. We would like to acknowledge Boston Applied Technologies, Inc. for providing the Er and Nd doped ceramic materials. First author also likes to acknowledge the Wheaton Research Participation Program for the funding. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00014: Quantum Bayesian Statistics: Q-Bism Jeffrey Boyd Bohr said: ``In our description of nature the purpose is not to disclose the real essence of the phenomena, but only to track down, so far as possible, relations between the manifold aspects of our experience.'' Q-Bism has built a solid mathematical foundation under Bohr's idea. Christopher Fuchs is the leading proponent of Q-Bism, which is the application of this approach to quantum math. David Mermin is a recent convert [1] and has a paper [2] saying that non-locality does not exist in the ``real'' world. It is all in your mind [3]. The real physical world is treated as if it were a black box, the inner workings of which we know nothing about. We should say, ``My math predicts that if we put X into the black box then we will get Y out the other side, but we have no idea how nature happens to accomplish that.'' Knowledge of Schroedinger's cat is in a superposition of states, but not the real cat.\\[4pt] [1] Mermin, N. D., Physics Today, (July 2012). doi:10.1063/PT.3.1618.\\[0pt] [2] Fuchs, C. A., N. D. Mermin and R. Schack, arXiv:1311.5253v1 [quant-ph] (Nov 20, 2013).\\[0pt] [3] von Baeyer, H. C., Scientific American, 308 (2013), 47. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00015: The Universe's Fifth Dimension, Information Density, and Its Impact on Physical Laws, Especially on Energy Exchanges Vasile Coman We derive laws of physics using a simple approach. We observe the world, we propose scenarios, and if they are validated by observation, we turn them into laws. Current laws constructed are dependent on space and time abstracted by the observer. But what happen when space and time are not the only ones required to be abstracted? I propose to add a new dimension to the way we abstract the laws of the Universe, including the laws of physics. This dimension is related to the complexity of processes in which any physical entity in the Universe is participating during its lifecycle. And because processes can always be described by information, we propose an associated unit called ``information density'' as a way to measure it. How important is missing a new dimension? In one of the episodes, Sagan made an analogy by describing the communication between a 2D ``square'' and a 3D ``apple.'' He concluded that the ``square'' can see the entire ``apple'' through ``sections,'' but it will ``miss'' on the overall shape. To continue Sagan's analogy, the new dimension, called information processing, is added to the other four. This presentation shows how this concept applies to all physical laws. [Preview Abstract] |
|
B1.00016: Study on the Stability of Catalysts for Alcohol Conversion as a New Energy Source Jeong H. (Peter) Yoon, Suyeong Han, Luther Lu, Richard Kyung In this paper, the catalyzing ability of Palladium and Rhodium compounds as catalysts using computational chemistry method was carried out. Programs such as Gamess and Chemcraft were used in an effort to compute the measures of catalytic ability. This paper focused on studying Palladium and Rhodium compounds as catalysts for the conversion of methane to methanol as a new energy source. The catalytic efficiencies of XCl$_{2}$O, XClO, and XClO (X: Palladium and Rhodium) were modeled and explained based on the compound's electron structure, resonances, and number of iterations to converge. Also this paper shows how the catalytic efficiency could be improved even more by forcing the catalyst to react with methane in different ways. In order to model the electron properties of the compound, Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods of computational chemistry was used. [Preview Abstract] |
Follow Us |
Engage
Become an APS Member |
My APS
Renew Membership |
Information for |
About APSThe American Physical Society (APS) is a non-profit membership organization working to advance the knowledge of physics. |
© 2024 American Physical Society
| All rights reserved | Terms of Use
| Contact Us
Headquarters
1 Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844
(301) 209-3200
Editorial Office
100 Motor Pkwy, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 591-4000
Office of Public Affairs
529 14th St NW, Suite 1050, Washington, D.C. 20045-2001
(202) 662-8700