ERIC Number: EJ1054976
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Feb
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Platonic Relationships among Resistors
Allen, Bradley; Liu, Tongtian
Physics Teacher, v53 n2 p75-78 Feb 2015
Calculating the effective resistance of an electrical network is a common problem in introductory physics courses. Such calculations are typically restricted to two-dimensional networks, though even such networks can become increasingly complex, leading to several studies on their properties. Furthermore, several authors have used advanced techniques (graph theory, superposition of equipotential planes, and Green's functions) to perform theoretical calculations for three-dimensional networks, particularly focusing on the five Platonic solids due to their symmetry. However, these techniques are typically beyond the mathematical level of an undergraduate or advanced high school student. In this article, we outline techniques for analyzing these systems that are accessible to an introductory physics student. We also test these results experimentally using standard laboratory equipment.
Descriptors: Electronics, Physics, Computation, Introductory Courses, Laboratory Equipment, Science Experiments, Secondary School Science, College Science, High Schools, Science Instruction
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 - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A