AP Physics C: Particle Physics Project
Last modification April 2, 2009 11:22 AM by Byron Philhour
Mission
Over the course of the 2nd semester, students in AP Physics C will investigate the Standard Model of Particle Physics and current proposed extensions to the Standard Model. The purpose is to provide a unifying story for the different theoretical and experimental expectations of the course, and to give us a chance to have some fun. This project is significantly more challenging, complex, and time-consuming than most, and necessarily involves a very high level of student engagement and self-direction. 
Objectives
Objective 1: Learn about the Standard Model of Particle Physics
- Set the historical context
- Read this article describing the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics (the image at the top of the page is from this document)
Wikipedia: Nobel Prizes in Physics
- Educate yourself about the Standard Model
Chart for the Standard Model of Particle Physics- Read Ch 22 in the People's Physics Book (Standard Model chapter)
- Work Ch 22 #s 1 - 11
Objective 2: Investigate particle interactions in the Standard Model
- Set the historical context
- Learn to draw Feynman Diagrams
- Read Ch 23 in the People's Physics Book (Feynman diagrams chapter)
- Work Ch 23 #s 1 - 17 (all)
- Read Ch 23 in the People's Physics Book (Feynman diagrams chapter)
Objective 3: Speculate on the future of physics through extensions to the Standard Model
- String Theory
- Watch The Elegant Universe in parts (some in class, some as homework) over the 2nd semester
- An Alternative Viewpoint
- Purchase, borrow, or otherwise (legally) acquire a copy of The Trouble With Physics by Lee Smolin -- read it over the course of the 2nd semester as time & interest allow.
- Experimental prospects
Objective 4: Investigate the electric force
- Set the historical context
- Learn the underlying theory
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approachby Randall Knight
- For each of these, please complete the associated workbook chapter:
- Verify the underlying theory
- Electroscope activity (this is a worksheet)
- Capacitance laboratory (we'll reserve class time for this)
Objective 5: Applications of electromagnetic theory to circuits
- Set the historical context
- Learn the underlying theory
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approachby Randall Knight
- For each of these, please complete the associated workbook chapter:
Objective 6: Investigate the magnetic force & electromagnetic theory
- Set the historical context
- Learn the underlying theory
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach by Randall Knight
- For each of these, please complete the associated workbook chapter:
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