ERIC Number: EJ1059686
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-May
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
Modern Gravitational Lens Cosmology for Introductory Physics and Astronomy Students
Huwe, Paul; Field, Scott
Physics Teacher, v53 n p266-271 May 2015
Recent and exciting discoveries in astronomy and cosmology have inspired many high school students to learn about these fields. A particularly fascinating consequence of general relativity at the forefront of modern cosmology research is gravitational lensing, the bending of light rays that pass near massive objects. Gravitational lensing enables high-precision mapping of dark matter distributions in galaxies and galaxy clusters, provides insight into large-scale cosmic structure of the universe, aids in the search for exo-planets, and may offer valuable insight toward understanding the evolution of dark energy. In this article we describe a gravitational lensing lab and associated lecture/discussion material that was highly successful, according to student feedback. The gravitational lens unit was developed as part of a two-week summer enrichment class for junior and senior high school students. With minor modifications, this lab can be used within a traditional classroom looking to incorporate topics of modern physics (such as in a unit on optics).
Descriptors: Introductory Courses, Physics, Astronomy, High School Students, Instructional Materials, Instructional Material Evaluation, Summer Science Programs, Enrichment Activities, Optics, Science Experiments, Light, Program Descriptions, Units of Study, Space Exploration, Space Sciences, Educational Practices, Teaching Methods
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A