Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.

The learning of linear functions is pervasive in most algebra classrooms. Linear functions are vital in laying the foundation for understanding the concept of modeling. This unit gives students the opportunity to make use of linear models in order to make predictions based on real-world data, and see how engineers address incredible and important design challenges through the use of linear modeling. Student groups act as engineering teams by conducting experiments to collect data and model the relationship between the wall thickness of the latex tubes and their corresponding strength under pressure (to the point of explosion). Students learn to graph variables with linear relationships and use collected data from their designed experiment to make important decisions regarding the feasibility of hydraulic systems in hybrid vehicles and the necessary tube size to make it viable.

" This class explores the creation (and creativity) of the modern scientific and cultural world through study of western Europe in the 17th century, the age of Descartes and Newton, Shakespeare, Milton and Ford. It compares period thinking to present-day debates about the scientific method, art, religion, and society. This team-taught, interdisciplinary subject draws on a wide range of literary, dramatic, historical, and scientific texts and images, and involves theatrical experimentation as well as reading, writing, researching and conversing. The primary theme of the class is to explore how England in the mid-seventeenth century became "a world turned upside down" by the new ideas and upheavals in religion, politics, and philosophy, ideas that would shape our modern world. Paying special attention to the "theatricality" of the new models and perspectives afforded by scientific experimentation, the class will read plays by Shakespeare, Tate, Brecht, Ford, Churchill, and Kushner, as well as primary and secondary texts from a wide range of disciplines. Students will also compose and perform in scenes based on that material."

Learners use two mirrors to explore how images of images of images can repeat forever. This resource includes a light-ray diagram to help learners understand what they are seeing -- images appear to be grouped in pairs with a front side always facing a front side and a back side always facing a back side. Learners can assist in assembling the Infinity Mirror or use one that has been pre-assembled.

Derivation of the basic MHD model from the Boltzmann equation. Discussion of MHD equilibria in cylindrical, toroidal, and noncircular tokamaks. Use of MHD equilibrium theory in poloidal field design. MHD stability theory including the Energy Principle, interchange instability, ballooning modes, second region of stability, and external kink modes. Emphasis on discovering configurations capable of achieving good confinement at high beta.

This item is an interactive Java simulation that illustrates the structure of two-dimensional vector fields using the "grass seeds" (or "iron filings") representation. Users enter x and y components for a field, then choose from a variety of field examples: two-point charges, dipole in constant or no field, two-line currents, radiating dipole, and dipole in a field with gradient. The applet will display the chosen field in either a grass seeds electric field or as equipotential lines. For more advanced users, the applet provides functions for yielding polar coordinates. This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This is a Java simulation on electrostatic induction, showing how it is possible to charge a conductor without direct contact. A conductor is placed in close proximity to a charged object (the user controls amount of charge from -200 to 200.) Charge separation in the conductor, grounding, and ungrounding are all then simulated in turn. At any time, users may view the changing electric field as a "grass seeds" representation or as electric potential lines. Clicking and dragging anywhere within the field will allow a 3-D view of the system. This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This is an interactive 3-D simulation of the electric field of two equal and opposite charges. The user moves an observation point around to see how the total field at various points arises from the individual fields of each charge. This item is part of a larger collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL/Studio Physics Project to support an introductory course in electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of the MIT Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This Java simulation depicts the interaction of charged particles inside the two plates of a capacitor. The user may place up to 12 charges in each capacitor plate and set the magnitude of particle charge. The simulation initiates with a view of the charges distributing themselves around the outer edge of the plates. The resulting electric field can then be viewed as electric potential lines or "grass seeds". This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This interactive Java simulation illustrates the field pattern created by two point charges with opposite signs of charge. Users can change the position and magnitude of charge and the field configuration will update automatically. Three field visualizations can be applied to the simulation: vector field, electric potential lines, and "grass seeds". This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This web page contains a set of 3D simulations and visualizations relating to supplement a calculus-based course in Electricity and Magnetism. Topics include the electric field of a positive and a negative charge, van de Graaff generator attracting and repelling a charge, creating and destroying an electric field, charge interactions, interactive molecules in 2D and 3D, lattices, an interactive electrostatic force experiment, and an electrostatic video game. Formats for these resources include Shockwave, Java (jnlp files), and MPEG. In addition, the TEAL project has made course notes, labs, and presentations available as part of the MIT Open Courseware Repository.

This is a simulation consisting of two fixed charges and one charge that is free to move. The objective of the game is to "steer" the moving charge around a maze by changing the value of the charge in response to the forces acting on it due to the electric field. This item is part of a larger collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL/Studio Physics Project. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of the MIT Open Courseware Repository.

This is an instructor's guide for an experiment to measure electrostatic force, using parallel plates made from two washers, insulating perf-board, and aluminum foil. Photos and detailed instructions are provided for experimental setup. SEE RELATED MATERIALS for a Java simulation by the same authors on the topic of capacitance. For an Excel spreadsheet developed specifically to accompany this experiment, see link below: MIT Physics 8.02 Open Courseware: Labs

Part of the MIT TEAL/Studio Physics Project, this web page contains a set of 3-D simulations relating to Faraday's Law. Each of the visualizations was developed to supplement the MIT Physics 8.02 course in calculus-based Electricity and Magnetism. Topics for this section include 3-dimensional models of levitating and suspended rings, falling rings with and without resistance, and magnetic monopole/dipole above a conducting plane. Users will also find interactive Java simulations on falling coils and magnets, magnetic inductance, and Lenz's Law. In addition, the TEAL project has made course notes, labs, and presentations available as part of its Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

Part of the MIT TEAL/Studio Physics Project, this web page contains a set of 3-D simulations relating to magnetic field. Each of the visualizations was developed to supplement the MIT Physics 8.02 course in calculus-based Electricity and Magnetism. Topics for this section include magnetic field of both a moving positive charge and a moving negative charge, charges moving in a circle in a magnetic field, ring of current, two wires in parallel, two wires in series current-carrying rings, earth's magnetosphere, current-carrying wire in a constant field, and more. In addition, the TEAL project has made course notes, labs, and presentations available as part of its Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This item is an interactive 3D Shockwave simulation that illustrates the different types of coordinate systems often used in studying electromagnetism: cartesian, cylindrical (polar), and spherical. Each system has a distinct set of principle axes, represented by the three surfaces. Users may toggle among the three systems, move each system in any direction, and control the observation point in the three different principle directions. This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This item is an interactive three-dimensional animation that illustrates the concept of vector cross product. Users set angle theta from zero to 360 degrees, and then rotate a vector through the angle. An animated hand automatically points in the proper direction according to the Right Hand Rule. No mathematics is introduced. This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism

This video demonstration illustrates the parabolic motion of the center of mass of a moving object. Non-symmetric objects are tossed, first is full light and then black light. Black lights are used to show the motion of the center of mass marked with florescent paint. A distinction between the center of an object and the center of mass is also made. The video includes a short explanation of the demonstration. This video is part of a video demonstration collection created by the Physics Department at MIT.

This video displays normal modes in a vibrating system through the motion of air carts connected by springs on an air track. When this system is at resonant frequency, symmetrical patterns called normal modes appear. The normal modes are shown in both driven and undriven cases, and the demonstration is repeated for systems of two, three, and five coupled carts. The video includes a short explanation of the demonstration. See Related Materials for an interactive Java simulation that addresses the same concept. This resource is part of a video demonstration collection created by the Physics Department at MIT.

In this activity about light and perception, learners create pictures in thin air. Using a simple set up of a slide projector, slide, moveable screen or poster board, and a "wand", learners investigate how we see projected images such as those from movies and television. Use this activity to help learners understand concepts associated with light and optics including persistence of vision, reflection, and map projection.