Greenland Map Triggers Huge Debate

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A recently published book contains some controversial information about Greenland. Let's work together to examine the issue:

First, some basic facts about Greenland:

1. Greenland is an autonomous country within which larger kingdom?
2. Even though Greenland is part of North America, it is often associated with Europe. Why?
3. Why is it called Greenland? Who gave it this name?

On to the controversial details:

1. What recently-published book was dubbed the "Greatest Book on Earth" by its publishers?
2. What detail(s) about Greenland are significantly different from the last time the book was published?
3. Why has this caused a debate. Be specific!
4. Which side of the debate has the best argument in your opinion?

A Fun Day in Physics!

Courtesy of NASA

It's not often that the news headlines prominently feature a physics story. Today, there are two physics stories reaching headline status! NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, or UARS, is projected to crash down to Earth. The exact time and location of the 6-ton satellite is not known, but the chance that it will hit in a populated area is very remote.

1. Has there even been a bigger satellite that has crashed down to Earth uncontrolled? When and what was it? Was anyone or any property hurt?

The other hot topic in physics is the discovery of neutrinos apparently moving faster than light. I read an account of this story at the Wall Street Journal. The article calls neutrinos "an oddball type of subatomic particle."

1. What, exactly, are neutrinos. Where are they produced? Are they rare?
2. Why is this result important? Why does it matter that they travel faster than light?

Do a little reading and share your findings and thoughts about these exciting new stories!

Finding the Line-of-Best-Fit

Students followed directions for MS Excel to find the equation of the line-of-best-fit.

In physics class, students recently collected data from circular objects. Specifically, they measured diameters and circumferences. We wanted to determine the relationship between diameter and circumference for our circles.

To do this, the data was graphed as a scatter plot (C vs. D). Then, Excel was used to calculate the line-of-best-fit (it calls it a linear trendline) and to display the line's equation. In this activity, students were particularly interested in the line's slope because the ratio of C / D should be an experimental way to calculate π.

But, what if a student does not have access to Excel? What are some free tools that will calculate the line-of-best-fit and its slope for a set of data?

1. Search online to some some possible solutions to the above question. Which do you like best?
2. To test these solutions, calculate the slope of the line-of-best-fit for this data: