This book is the result of many years of experience of the authors in guiding physics projects. It aims to satisfy a deeply felt need to involve students and their instructors in extended experimental investigations of physical phenomena. Over fifty extended projects are described in detail, at various levels of sophistication, aimed at both the advanced high school, as well as first and second year undergraduate physics students, and their instructors. Carrying out these projects may take anything from a few days to several weeks, and in some cases months. Each project description starts with a summary of theoretical background, proceeds to outline goals and possible avenues of exploration, suggests needed instrumentation, experimental setup and data analysis, and presents typical results which can serve as guidelines for the beginner researcher. Separate parts are devoted to mechanics, electromagnetism, acoustics, optics, liquids, and thermal physics. An additional appendix suggests twenty further ideas for projects, giving a very brief description for each and providing references for pursuing them in detail. We also suggest a useful library of basic texts for each of the topics treated in the various parts.
Reviews
Gluck who teaches at Azrieli College of Engineering, Jerusalem, dedicated the book to King who passed away in 2014, after a long and distinguished career as a researcher and educator at MIT. In many ways the book embodies Kingas passion for experimental physics. One can hope that it will spark the interest of future experimentalists to become scientists in his mold. I encourage instructors to dive into the authors' advice and dive into the adventure and uncertainty of a project that does not have a predetermined, easily found answer. ... Physics Project Lab is a valuable resource. * Physics Today *
Gluck and King make every day phenomena come alive with Project Lab. Their superb collection of relatively simple experiments has been honed over a half-centuries worth of presentations, offering the budding scientist or humanist an engaging appreciation for the value of inquiry * H. Frederick Dylla, Executive Director & CEO of the American Institute of PhysicsCharles H. Holbrow, Colgate University *
This book is highly recommended as a source of great ideas for practical investigation not only in the transition from high school to university, but also throughout an undergraduate physics course * John P. Cullerne, Housemaster and former Head of Physics at Winchester College *
A physics student's experience of Project Lab can color a lifetime of seeing the world. The success of that experience hinges on the thoughtful selection of a project. Physics Project Lab offers a tested menu of just-right project directions, clever setup tips, and theoretical perspective. It is a must-have resource for anyone involved in a physics project lab * Michael Mermelstein, Ph.D. *
Chief Scientist at Umech Technologies, LLC
This is a well written physics didactic book describing first the theory, then goals and possibilities and finally experimental suggestions in order to verify the theories for different laboratory projects. It can be used in physics courses at universities and some of the projects can even be conducted at high schools. I also think that others not involved directly in teaching will read this book with great interest * Christer Johansson, Acreo Swedish ICT AB *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198704584
Author Paul Gluck
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 734g
Dimensions(mm) 246mm * 200mm * 16mm