Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Joint Spring 2012 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT and Zone 13 of the SPS
Volume 57, Number 2
Thursday–Saturday, March 22–24, 2012; San Angelo, Texas
Session E3: Contributed Oral Presentations: SPS 2 |
Hide Abstracts |
Chair: Timothy Head, Abiliene Christian University Room: Houston Harte University Center UC 211 |
Friday, March 23, 2012 3:30PM - 3:42PM |
E3.00001: Electrochemical fabrication of Porous Silicon for an Investigation for use as the anode in Lithium-ion batteries Olivia Popnoe, Toni Sauncy An electrochemical cell with a Teflon based structure was made for fabrication of Porous Silicon (p-Si). The cell was then used for anodic etching of a single crystal Si substrate to synthesize a thin layer of p-Si, with hydrofluoric acis used as the electrolytic solution. The resulting film is more robust when compared with those produced previously by non-contact photochemical etching. The anodic etchin method results in a relatively uniform distribution of micropores. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 3:42PM - 3:54PM |
E3.00002: Learning To Use TeX Derek Hammons, Hunter Close TeX is a useful tool for any scientific professional, but it can also be used by undergraduates to create high quality documents for courses. My presentation will focus on why TeX is a useful program for undergraduates to learn. It can create higher quality lab reports and other documents for courses than other commonly used word processors such as Microsoft Word. TeX can be utilized by anyone through use of a TeX document preparation system such as LaTeX and only a few simple commands. Perhaps best of all, TeX is free to download and use! By taking the time to understand how to use TeX, students will learn a valuable skill that will be continue to be useful throughout their academic and professional careers. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 3:54PM - 4:06PM |
E3.00003: Angelo State SPS Marsh White Award: Physics After School Special (P.A.S.S.) Vikesh Desai, Toni Sauncy With a recent Marsh White Award from the SPS National Office, the Angelo State SPS has teamed up with a local YMCA after school program to provide fun lab experiences for the diverse group of K-3$^{rd}$ graders. Several undergraduate presenters are involved, and the funding was used to purchase tshirts for all participants. The afterschool group of approximately 30 children has visited the campus for the first lab session and plans three additional hands on lab experiences over the course of the semester. For the final visit, the Peer Pressure Team will conduct a full demonstration show and P.A.S.S. Party. The goal of this public engagement is to motivate these young students to learn more about physics with hands on activities in a fun and safe environment and to establish meaningful mentoring relationships between undergraduate physics majors and younger students. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:06PM - 4:18PM |
E3.00004: Analysis of Lagrange's original derivation of the Euler-Lagrange Differential Equation Ryan Laughlin, Hunter Close The Euler-Lagrange differential equation provides the Lagrangian equations of motion, and thus allows the exact trajectory of an object in a potential to be found. We analyze the original derivation of the Euler-Lagrange differential equation via a translation of the third edition of Lagrange's Mecanique Analytique (1811). We compare and contrast this derivation with the derivation commonly done in a junior-level classical mechanics course. Lagrange uses several founding concepts to produce a generalized equation of motion for all dynamics. These concepts are, in the order addressed by Lagrange, the Principle of Virtual Velocities, the Conservation des Forces Vives, and the Principle of Least Action. Lagrange then employs what he calls the Method of Variations to the general equation of motion for dynamics to ultimately resolve something similar to the Euler-Lagrange Differential equation we use today. We also compare modern notation with Lagrange's notation. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:18PM - 4:30PM |
E3.00005: Mapping atomic arrays in crystals by interpreting electron diffraction patterns Bryan Neal, Nick Lanning, William Ware, Spencer Wigginton, Chris Lee, Cristian Bahrim Analyzing diffraction of light and electrons allows one to map the geometric structure of nettings and crystals. There is a strong analogy between light and electron diffraction because in both cases the diffraction angles are small and the patterns may be described as images of a Fourier transform. Light diffraction patterns may be interpreted as the optical transforms of 2D-nettings and therefore are simpler to understand. The interpretation of electron diffraction patterns is more sophisticated and requires the visualization of the crystal's reciprocal lattice using vector algebra. With light we can analyze the redistribution of energy in diffraction patterns. Our studies indicate a deviation of about 1{\%} from the exact conservation of energy when the ratio between slit width and slit separation approaches 1. Such a deviation is expected to show up in electron diffraction patterns produced by super dense materials. We focused our studies on electron diffraction by graphite for understanding the mechanism of electron transmission through Carbon atoms. From measuring diffraction patterns and applying the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, we are able to estimate the atomic transmission time of the projectile electron and the group velocity of the electron passing through the crystal. Finally, our analysis leads to the estimation of the C-C bond in a hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) graphite crystal and the volume of the Carbon atom which diffracts the projectile electron. Sponsored by the STAIRSTEP-NSF-DUE grant{\#} 0757057. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:30PM - 4:42PM |
E3.00006: Characterization of Energetic Properties nano-particle Silicon Blake McCracken, Toni Sauncy Porous silicon has been reported to have an unusual property of highly energetic reactions when subjected to oxidizers and nitrates. Characterization of such energetic properties has been done using a variety of methods, many of which are well beyond the cost allowance for undergraduate level research. In this work, we explore a low cost method using inexpensive piezoelectric sensors and standard storage oscilloscopes. The voltage pulses from the sensors provide time dependent signals that can be used in the characterization of the propagation velocity of these energetic reactions in porous silicon particles, with the ultimate goal of discerning more about the nature of the energy produced upon detonation. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:42PM - 4:54PM |
E3.00007: What Happened to Climate Change? William Lynn Recent data concerning solar irradiance, the amount of power produced by the sun that reaches the top of each square meter of Earth's atmosphere, has led to a greater understanding of how variations of solar activity affect Earth's global temperature. Results from the NASA Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) show that the sun is undergoing a prolonged solar minimum which researchers believe to be a factor in decreased global temperatures in 2011. Along with these results, which show a measured irradiance lower than previous measurements indicated, the ongoing La Ni\~{n}a is a significant factor in the decrease in global surface temperatures. This presentation will focus on a review of current articles and research on the impact of solar cycles as well as other factors contributing to models of global climate change. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 4:54PM - 5:06PM |
E3.00008: Construction of a Single Beam Optical Trap with a Modified Design for Undergraduate Labs David To, Toni Sauncy, David Bixler We have constructed an apparatus known as an optical tweezers using off the shelf, fairly inexpensive components. These include a 20 mw HeNe laser, a standard student lab optical microscope, and an inexpensive CCD firewire camera. The trap is designed to work with polystyrene spheres of various diameters, but to be robust enough for more advanced research. The goal of the work is to use the device for undergraduate research projects but also for use in the advanced labs at Angelo State University. Trapping is achieved in the device by focusing the collimated laser beam using a 100x oil immersion objective on the microscope. At the position of the beam waist, the light produces gradient forces that trap the micron-sized spheres. Images are collected and processed using LabVIEW software and measurement of particle size is accomplished through software tools for use with unknown-sized samples. Currently, imaging tests are being performed to improve the focus of the camera on the trapping region. It is expected that successful trapping of the polystyrene spheres will soon be accomplished. Once that is established then we will trap birefringent particles such as quartz or calcite. Birefringent particles should exhibit rotational motion when trapped. [Preview Abstract] |
Friday, March 23, 2012 5:06PM - 5:18PM |
E3.00009: Using Satellite Data to Monitor Global Climate Change Elizabeth Carlisle Accurate measurement of the ice melt in Greenland is very important in monitoring global climate change. Observations indicate that average global temperature has been increasing for the past 30 years, which should cause significant melting from the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica. There has been some controversy over whether the ice mass is increasing or decreasing. In an effort to determine a solution to this controversy, the twin satellites of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) have made detailed measurements of the earth's gravitational field. They have confirmed that while the thickness of the ice in the center of Greenland remains approximately constant, the edges of the ice sheets are melting rapidly. Not only are the ice sheets shrinking, but the rate at which they are shrinking is accelerating. These measurements are in agreement with global climate models. This presentation will focus on the operation of the GRACE system, the effects of the shrinking ice sheets, and the relevance of the experiment to global climate change. [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