Search

Pendulum paintings are popular in modern art and social media as a simple way to create beautiful patterns. This article shows how pendulum paintings can be used to connect art with math and science in classrooms of any level. Students use the painting process to collect data. They also use other "messy data" that may be hard to measure or see to make mathematical models that can predict how long the pendulum would swing. Real-world measurements and models used by scientists and engineers often involve messy data from complex systems. The activity can be easily adapted to and differentiated across multiple grade and ability levels. The activity helps students to analyze what they see, to consider variables that may be hidden, and to perceive math as a useful tool in science. The goal of the exercise is not to necessarily find the right answer, but to ask the right questions to make a testable mathematical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance is a quantum phenomenon and describes a resonant interaction of spins with electromagnetic fields. Its understanding requires advanced knowledge of quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics and thus often remains elusive to students. However, the great impact of this phenomenon on medicine, science, and technology makes magnetic resonance an important subject for general education, and it requires a graspable model for translating the physical concepts without resorting to advanced physics. One of the most common and familiar objects related to magnetism is the compass. Here, we develop an inexpensive tabletop demonstration experiment for magnetic resonance. The compass is placed into the magnetic field of a permanent magnet (strong refrigerator magnet); an alternating field of an electromagnetic coil (solenoid) excites a resonant oscillation of the compass needle. The experiment has been proven to catch the attention of audiences of all ages.