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NEXUS Physics
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The NEXUS/Physics project was originally created as part of the National Experiment in Undergraduate Science Education (NEXUS) funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in response to national studies that encouraged the development of new programs for biology majors and pre-health care students. The project was developed beginning in 2010. The class has been delivered at the University of Maryland since 2011 and has been the starting point of classes at other colleges and universities throughout the US.

TEAM MEMBERS

Edward Redish

University of Maryland, College Park

Ben Geller

Swarthmore College

Wolfgang Losert

University of Maryland, College Park

Vashti Sawtelle

Michigan State University

Chandra Turpen

University of Maryland, College Park

Catherine Crouch

Swarthmore College

Dawn Meredith

University of New Hampshire

Mark Reeves

George Washington University

Homepage

CONTRIBUTIONS

Using math in physics - Functional dependence

Instructor supplement, Restricted access, Homework, Student reading, In-class activity, Lecture materials, Exam problem

An introduction to functional dependence with readings, problems, and examples throughout the curriculum

Evolution, Physical Mechanisms, Intracellular Components, Cellular Structure, Surface Area/volume, Synapse Structure/Function, Signaling Molecules, Medical Applications, Cardiovascular System

Electrostatics, Color, Oscillations, Force of Surface Tension, Capillary Action, Flow Rate, Hagen-Poiseuille Equation, Viscosity, Transverse Pulses and Waves, Wave Packets, Diffusion, Coulomb's Law, Electric Field, Thin Lens, Equation of Continuity

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence - Introduction

Instructor supplement, Homework

An instructor's guide to the Functional Dependence unit including a description of the contents, a short paper, and a list of the problems.

None

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence - Student readings

Student reading

Reading for students providing an introduction to functional dependence and scaling in the open source NEXUS/Physics wiki textbook.

None

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence - Classroom activities

In-class activity, Lecture materials

An extended groupwork activity that helps students analyze and see functional dependence in equations important to biology

Physical Mechanisms, Cardiovascular System

Flow Rate, Hagen-Poiseuille Equation, Viscosity, Diffusion

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence - Problems with solutions

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

A collection of 78 problems throughout the class that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

Evolution, Physical Mechanisms, Intracellular Components, Cellular Structure, Surface Area/volume, Synapse Structure/Function, Signaling Molecules, Medical Applications, Cardiovascular System

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence problems - General

Homework, Restricted access

A collection of 16 problems that focusing on functional dependence using geometry and exponentials, often in a biological context.

Physical Mechanisms, Intracellular Components, Cellular Structure, Surface Area/volume, Medical Applications

None

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Functional dependence problems - Models of force

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

A collection of 16 problems that focusing on functional dependence in the study of forces, especially electrical.

Evolution, Physical Mechanisms

Electrostatics, Force of Surface Tension, Viscosity, Coulomb's Law, Equation of Continuity

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Coherent vs random motion

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of 8 problems on diffusion that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

Intracellular Components, Cellular Structure, Surface Area/volume, Synapse Structure/Function, Signaling Molecules

Diffusion

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Solids

Homework, Restricted access

Three problems on the topic of the springiness of solids that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Stresses

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Fluids

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

A collection of 13 problems concerning fluids that focus on functional dependence, many with biological or medical contexts.

Physical Mechanisms, Intracellular Components, Cellular Structure, Surface Area/volume, Medical Applications, Cardiovascular System

Force of Surface Tension, Capillary Action, Flow Rate, Hagen-Poiseuille Equation, Viscosity, Equation of Continuity

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Heat and temperature

Homework, Restricted access

One problem on heat flow that is best done by focusing on functional dependence

Physical Mechanisms

None

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Mechanical energy

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

Two problems on mechanical energy that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Linear Momentum, Electrostatics, Conservation of Energy, Coulomb's Law

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Chemical energy

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

One problem one the structure of the interatomic potential that is best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Atomic Physics

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Thermodynamics and statistical physics

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

Three problems on statistical physics in biological and chemical contexts that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

Cellular Structure

Diffusion

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Electricity

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of 11 problems on electric fields and potentials that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Electrostatics, Coulomb's Law, Electric Field

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Oscillations

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

Two problems on the topic of oscillations that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Oscillations

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Waves

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of 5 problems on the topic of wave motion that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Transverse Pulses and Waves, Wave Packets

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Light

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A set of 5 problems concerning light that are best done by focusing on functional dependence

None

Color, Thin Lens

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

13 MORE

Functional dependence - Quiz & exam problems

Exam problem, Restricted access

A collection of 10 problems appropriate for a quiz or exam that are best done by focusing on functional dependence. Solutions not provided.

Physical Mechanisms, Surface Area/volume, Medical Applications

Diffusion

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

5 MORE

Using math in physics - Reading the physics in a graph

Instructor supplement, Restricted access, Student reading, In-class activity, Homework, Exam problem

a module to help students build physical intuition by learning to read the physics in graphs

Animal Biomechanics, Cellular Structure, Healthy Cardiovascular Function, Healthy Neural Function, Cellular Structure

Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions, Newton's Second Law, Newton's Third Law, Applications of Newton's Laws, Work and Energy, Linear Momentum, Electric Fields and Potential, Capacitance, DC Circuits, Oscillations, Probability, Transverse Pulses and Waves, Standing Waves, Wave Packets, Interference and Diffraction, Interference From Two Sources

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

Reading the physics in a graph - Introduction

Instructor supplement, Restricted access

Introduction and a description of the contents of this module to help build physical intuition by learning to read the physics in graphs

None

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Student readings

Student reading

a set of 9 short readings to help students learn to "read the physics in a graph"

None

Oscillations & Waves, Motion in One Dimension, Work and Energy

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Classroom activities

In-class activity

a set a group work activities to help students build physical intuition by learning to read the physics in graphs

None

Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions, Work and Energy, Electric Fields and Potential, DC Circuits

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Problems with solution

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement, In-class activity

A collection of homework problems with solutions from across the curriculum that require students to interpret graphs physically

Animal Biomechanics, Cellular Structure, Healthy Cardiovascular Function, Healthy Neural Function, Cellular Structure

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Kinematics problems

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

A collection of homework problems with solutions in kinematics that require students to interpret graphs physically

Animal Biomechanics, Cellular Structure, Healthy Cardiovascular Function

Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Newton's law problems

Homework, Restricted access, Instructor supplement

A collection of homework problems with solutions on Newton's laws of motion that require students to interpret graphs physically

Animal Biomechanics

Motion in One Dimension, Newton's Second Law, Applications of Newton's Laws

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Models of forces

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of homework problems with solutions about models of forces that require students to interpret graphs physically

Cellular Dynamics

Classical Mechanics, Viscosity, Hooke's Law, Coulomb's Law, Multipoles

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Coherent vs random motion

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of homework problems with solutions in linear vs random motion that require students to interpret graphs physically

Cellular Dynamics

Motion in One Dimension, Newton's Third Law, Applications of Newton's Laws, Linear Momentum

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Fluids

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

Some homework problems with solutions from fluid flow that require students to interpret graphs physically

Healthy Cardiovascular Function, Medical Applications

Flow Rate, Viscosity, Equation of Continuity

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Mechanical energy

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of homework problems with solutions about mechanical energy that require students to interpret graphs physically

None

Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions, Newton's Second Law, Newton's Third Law, Applications of Newton's Laws, Work and Energy, Linear Momentum

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Chemical energy

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of homework problems concerning chemical bonding and energies that require students to interpret graphs physically

Matter/energy Transfer & Transforms, Photosynthesis

Motion in One Dimension, Newton's Second Law, Work and Energy, Electric Fields and Potential, Probability

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Thermodynamics and statistical physics

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A homework problem with solution concerning the Boltzmann factor and probabilities that require students to interpret graphs physically.

Cellular Structure, Cellular Structure

Probability

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Electric fields, potentials, and currents

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

problems with solutions concerning electric potentials, fields, and currents, that require students to interpret graphs physically

Healthy Neural Function

Work and Energy, Electric Fields and Potential, Capacitance, DC Circuits, Probability

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Oscillations

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access, In-class activity

A collection of homework problems with solutions about oscillating systems that require students to interpret graphs physically

None

Work and Energy, Oscillations

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graphs - Waves

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

A collection of homework problems with solutions concerning waves that require students to interpret graphs physically

Healthy Neural Function, Cellular Structure

Transverse Pulses and Waves, Standing Waves, Wave Packets

Vetted

Reading the physics in a graph - Light

Homework, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

homework problems with solutions concerning 2 slit interference that require students to interpret graphs physically

None

Atomic Physics, Interference From Two Sources

Vetted

12 MORE

Reading the physics in a graph - Quiz and exam problems

Exam problem, Restricted access

exam problems to help students build physical intuition by learning to read the physics in graphs

Animal Biomechanics, Cellular Structure, Healthy Cardiovascular Function, Healthy Neural Function, Cellular Structure

Vetted

Associated portal materials

Instructor supplement, Restricted access

this section provides links to other units in the "Using math in physics" series

None

Vetted

6 MORE

The NEXUS Physics Wikibook Printable Version (ver 0.8)

Remote learning, Instructor supplement, Student reading, Pre-class assignment

A free set of readings for a one year IPLS course. Available as a PDF file or as free webpages. (version 0.8)

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts

Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions, Newton's First Law, Newton's Second Law, Newton's Third Law, Applications of Newton's Laws, Work and Energy, Linear Momentum, Electrostatics, Electric Fields and Potential, Capacitance, Resistance, DC Circuits, Surface Tension, Statics of Fluids, Geometrical Optics, Interference, Oscillations, Wave Motion, Second and Third Law, Probability, Ensembles, Diffusion

Vetted

Edward Redish

NEXUS Physics

NEXUS Physics printable text - front matter

Remote learning, Instructor supplement, Student reading

A free set of readings for a one year IPLS course. Available as a PDF file or as free webpages. (version 0.8)

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts

Vetted

Text materials for printing

Remote learning, Student reading

The text materials from the NEXUS Physics wiki book available for printing or distributing as a pdf file (with links). Version 0.8.

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts

Vetted

NEXUS Physics text - Workouts

Remote learning, Pre-class assignment

A set of ~60 short activities exploring topics in the NEXUS Physics wikibook using simulations.

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts

Vetted

NEXUS Physics Wikibook Online (current version)

Remote learning, Student reading

A free set of readings for a one year IPLS course. Available as a PDF file or as free webpages. (version 0.8)

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts

Vetted

4 MORE

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NEXUS Physics 80 characters remaining.

TEAM MEMBERS

CONTRIBUTIONS

NEXUS Physics
80 characters remaining.