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Capillarity and the Rectangular Hyperbola
- Source :
-
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology . 2021 52(9):1420-1425. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- It is generally agreed that making real-world connections in mathematics teaching increases students' motivation and interest and contributes to meaningful and permanent learning. In this paper we propose a simple and fast activity to find a rectangular hyperbola in real life and we show how to operate the data to retrieve a straight line. Since it deals with simple formulas, we believe that it can be useful in a high-school context, either in math or physics class. The activity consists of assembling a wedge with transparent plates (like glass photo frames), dipping it on a liquid and observing the rise of a hyperbola. Instructions are given on how to obtain the coordinates of the liquid/air interface and how to replot them as a straight line, using just a smartphone. For the physics class, an extension is proposed to measure the surface tension of the chosen liquid.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0020-739X
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1305092
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Descriptive
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2020.1842525