Use of online videos

We have found that the use of online videos is an effective way to explain relatively difficult problems. A student can view the video over and over again until he/she gets the nuances in the explanation. It also provides a convenient way to do the review problems. In a review problem, typically several concepts of the chapter are combined. Again a student’s repeated viewing of the review problem enables him/her to capture the full minute details in the review.

We do not advocate that in the future students should rely exclusive audio visual means to acquire their physics acknowledge. Learning physics involves both qualitative understanding in what goes on and the training on the quantitative skills in manipulating equations toward solving physics problems. We do advocate online videos can be effective means to complement our classroom teaching and outside of the classroom activities. They do not only enhance students’ qualitative understanding of physics, they can also support students’ quantitative learning.

Below are Matt Haley’s 4 videos to illustrate our present technology. (Please view in full screen and in 720p resolution.)

It gives an intuitive explanation on the physics how an object moves around the earth along an elliptical orbit. By increasing its initial velocity the shape of the orbit changes from elliptical to circular and to bigger elliptical orbits and eventually the object will escape the gravitational influence of the earth. The orbital motion of the object is accompanied by the energy curves, the kinetic energy (K), the potential energy (E) and the total energy (E). Along each orbit there are variations in K and U, except for the case of circular orbit where K and U are constant. E is constant throughout. The program used is Vpython.

Video-2: Circular Orbit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KmS8zqKbU

The problem has two parts. In part I, it concerns the fuel required to put a satellite in to a circular orbit 1 and the in part II the fuel required to move it from orbit 1 to orbit 2.

Notice that the explanation is accompany by the display of the corresponding formula

based on the Energy Principle. And at the end a calculator is used to arrive at the numerical answer. This example illustrates how the fundamental principle enters in doing quantitative physics.

Video-3: The problem 6.P.90 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmiekHTVgiI

Video-4: The problems 9.P.38 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmiekHTVgiI

The two videos are demonstrations on how problems at the back of the chapters are explained. The typical format here is to have the problem statement , the pictures and the equations are displayed on separate panes. Formulas are added to the pane as the presentation progresses. Finally a calculator is used to arrive at numerical answers. We plan to add additional followup questions related to the problem. In this manner in broaden students’ perspectives, to get students think about additional issues related to the problem.