Name of NGM Educator: Peter Poulos, Engineering Professor, Manchester Community College |
Name of Host Company: University of Connecticut Photonics Laboratory |
Grade Level: Freshman-sophomore college students |
Student Work Types:
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Task Abstract: The goal is to understand how photons are detected. This will be accomplished by first understanding the detection of a radio wave in an antenna. |
Task Objectives: To illustrate through simulated experiment the behavior of a detection circuit. Understand the physics involved in the detection of electromagnetic waves and the correspondence and similartty to photon detection. |
Esssential Understandings/Questions: Students will gain an understanding that physics provides a glimpse of nature and that it helps us understand real events. In this lesson, the best we can do is detect the existence of a photon and therefore it is important to understand how a detector functions. Armed with that knowledge we can better determine if physics is real. |
Task Description: Model an antenna circuit with radio signal inputs and observe the selection/ detection process resulting from resonance. |
Resources Required: Classroom computer, Electronic Workbench software. |
Prior Learning Required: None |
Educator Comments: This lesson will provide students a look into the world of physics at the sub-atomic level. |