ERIC Number: EJ996089
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0807
EISSN: N/A
Measuring the Eccentricity of the Earth's Orbit with a Nail and a Piece of Plywood
Lahaye, Thierry
European Journal of Physics, v33 n5 p1167-1178 Sep 2012
I describe how to obtain a rather good experimental determination of the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit, as well as the obliquity of the Earth's rotation axis, by measuring, over the course of a year, the elevation of the Sun as a function of time during a day. With a very simple "instrument" consisting of an elementary sundial, first-year students can carry out an appealing measurement programme, learn important concepts in experimental physics, see concrete applications of kinematics and changes of reference frames, and benefit from a hands-on introduction to astronomy. (Contains 6 figures and 4 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Science Experiments, Earth Science, Physics, Scientific Concepts, Motion, Astronomy, Hands on Science, College Science, Measurement Equipment
Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/EJP
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A