# I'm going slightly mad **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 23, 2003, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068 "2003-10-23T07:56:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/21 "2003-10-24T03:52:02Z")
A reference to the Queen song, perhaps? šŸ˜ƒ (I canā€™t believe nobodyā€™s brought this up yetā€¦) As to the actual physics and stuff, sorryā€¦ I donā€™t know a thing about that. But yeah, youā€™ve gone a bit nuts. šŸ˜ƒ Good luck with everything, though! šŸ™‚ F\_X ---
**Author:** ![cajela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cajela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cajela)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/22 "2003-10-24T04:22:44Z")
How come every one is going on about teenage boys when the OP just said ā€œgifted and talented studentsā€? Eh? Eh? EH? EH??? **EH???** When ah were yoong lass, I used to go to those sorts of things. Curse you all for not having changed that damned assumption in 20 years. Curse you I say. :rolleyes: BTW, I thought stellar nucleosynthesis was the coolest thing ever. And special relativity was fun for brain-stretching paradoxes. But I was somehat more mathematician than physicist by nature, I think, or at least theoretical over hands-on. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/23 "2003-10-24T05:59:49Z")
Poor **Angua** , only going slightly mad. When youā€™ve gone fully mad, it will get easier. Trust me. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/24 "2003-10-24T06:21:59Z")
Oh Angua, the answer is so simple - really, it is. All you have to do is use ā€œphysicsā€ to explain why Formula One engines are the most advanced reciprocating internal combustion engines on the planet. Yes, yes - I knowā€¦ there are many Americans who find Formula One boring and all that. But the fact remains, 18 year old kids are REALLY interested in cars, and engineering and stuff like that - and if youā€™re truly wishing to be good in that field, a degree in physics is utterly invaluable. Moreover, regardless of oneā€™s personal biases towards motor-racing - whether it be World Championship Rallying, or NASCAR, or IRL, or Champ Car, or Formula One - the fact remains (at least amongst those who are truly unbiased and objective) that Formula One remains the sole category of motor racing where at least ā€œsomeā€ areas remain which are truly ā€œall bets are offā€ - and in particular, engine development is one of those areas. Now, as a few starting points - consider the followingā€¦ F1 engines are currently hovering between 17,000 and 19,000 RPM - and yet they also have a workable power range of over 8,000 rpm from lowest to highest RPM. At their peak, those ultra light pistons are reciprocating at over 310 times per second - the equivalent of a piston the width of a coke can moving up and down 4 inches. Very impressive stuff. Further, the air and fuel has to be sucked in at the right mixture - and theyā€™re normally aspirated too - which means the air is being pulled, not pushed. F1 engines use intricate variable length inlet manifolds which allow the shock waves of opening and closing inlet valves to work in ā€œnodal overlap formā€ - thereby increasing inlet flow rates. All of this stuff revolves around an intricate understanding of physics - and your students will love it. If youā€™re really keen, there are just legions of interesting aspects of physics which make Formula One egines ultra interesting to use as an analogy for how physics is applied in the modern world. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/25 "2003-10-24T07:07:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > \*\*An introductory round of solid state physics and semiconductor device fabrication technology will spark a few minds. I can send you a patterned silicon wafer if you need one to put under the microscope. I can also send you a blank silicon wafer to cleave. It will bridge you to another pet topic of mine. > > Crystallography is another enchanting subject as it can span from X-ray diffraction to table salt. A sample of calcite, fluorite and (my favorite) ulexite will provide grist for an entire dayā€™s class. Ulexite will also permit a bridge into fiber optic technology which could suck down almost a weekā€™s worth of optics related refractive index, transmissivity and spectroscopy explanations.\*\* Thanks for the ideas - It sounds absolutely fascinating, I would have to brush up on my solid state physics though! > [@](#): > > **If there is a facility nearby that has a scanning electron microscope you can tour, a short course in beam optics is always fun. You can further relate it to another pet topic of mine.** There are going to be various trips to the Cavendish, which should spark their interest, especially looking round the museum. > [@](#): > > **LASERS! Even with a cheesy laser pointer you can demonstrate all sorts of extremely cool optical effects. Diffraction grating, polarizers and other cheap optical elements will give you hours of material.** Absolutely! That is one of my intentions, and I know of a couple of cool optics tricks to teach them about Fresnel as well as Fraunhoffer diffraction, if I can get hold of them. > [@](#): > > \*\* Seriously - as an AstroPhysicist, you should try Quasars, Open and closed universe, Big Bang vs. Steady State debates, what was there ā€œbeforeā€ the Big Bang (and is that a meaningful question at all)ā€¦ Get them arguing! if theyā€™re as intelligent as you are leading us to believe, you can get a lot of mileage out of debating!\*\* This is actually something I intend to do. I think Iā€™ll split the class into two, give them both material, and then ask them to argue Big Bang vs Steady State. I think Iā€™ll put quasars in under a general astro lecture/session. > [@](#): > > **I like this. Add in black holes as well, and youā€™ve got a lot of things which are conceptually hard, interesting, and controvertial, without needing too much maths.** I have here, in front of me an entire workshop on black holes, which will definitely be being used. šŸ˜ƒ **LoneRaven** , I will not under any circumstances whatsoever be putting in anything to do with electricity. I hate it myself. **Flamsterette\_X** - yup! **cajela** - it doesnā€™t get any better. People _still_ assume Iā€™m male, because Iā€™m a physicist :rolleyes: **Heloise** - youā€™ve met me at a LonDope - Iā€™m going slightly mad compared to my already deranged standards. And I may well take a leaf out of your books when it comes to skirt lengths etc, it might just grab their attention. šŸ˜ƒšŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/26 "2003-10-24T07:21:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shade \* > **Itā€™s a bit early to say for sure, but it seems likely. Yay, CamDope!** Wheee! CamDope! And Iā€™ve managed to get **Lu-Tze** to join us as well! The program for the schoolā€™s not finalised yet, but may I suggest a trip to the Pickerel? ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/27 "2003-10-24T09:48:05Z")
> [@](#): > > And Iā€™ve managed to get Lu-Tze to join us as well! Wooo! PratchettDope! šŸ˜ƒ Pickerel sounds fine to me, I find most cambridge pubs much the same. > [@](#): > > How come every one is going on about teenage boys when the OP just said ā€œgifted and talented studentsā€? Actually, **manwithaplan** just said ā€˜wear something modestā€™ and then **Angua** said ā€˜Trust me, teenage boys are not going to look at me like that.ā€™ For all we know, manwithaplan was thinking about lesbians,or teachers, or about presenting a professional image in general. Then Angua mentioned that the class contianed at least some (and presumably hence at least about helf) boys, at which point much discussion of physics-babes commenced. But yes, when you said that, I did suddenly feel very sexist. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/28 "2003-10-24T09:52:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shade \* > \*\*Wooo! PratchettDope! šŸ˜ƒ > > Pickerel sounds fine to me, I find most cambridge pubs much the same. > \*\* Heresy! You are charged with heresy by thought! Heresy by name! OK, Iā€™ll stop now. The Pickerel does the _best_ beer in Cambridge. And the Maypole, the best cocktails. šŸ˜ƒ > [@](#): > > \*\*Actually, **manwithaplan** just said ā€˜wear something modestā€™ and then **Angua** said ā€˜Trust me, teenage boys are not going to look at me like that.ā€™ > > For all we know, manwithaplan was thinking about lesbians,or teachers, or about presenting a professional image in general.\*\* This is true. Its all my fault! Mind you, gender imbalances here _are_ ridiculously skewed. In an office of 9 people, Iā€™m the only girl. Its good practice for the DopeFests though. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/29 "2003-10-24T10:45:58Z")
Just for the record, I feel this is an appropriate place to out **scr4** as an astrophyscist who made have some cool ideas for you. - Cerowyn, doing my part to make work for other posters. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/30 "2003-10-24T13:53:21Z")
I like the idea of tying the classes in to science fiction - perhaps using books like the The Science of The X-Files (and thereā€™s probably one for Star Trek) alongside proper physics textbooks. They can help make the class structure more interesting. It helps tie the subject matter into something theyā€™ve seen in their own lives. You could also then use a ten-minute video of, say, the ā€˜dark matterā€™ scene in the X-Files and ask them how the writers got the physics there wrong. Varying the media is always a good idea in teaching. Be flexible. On the first day, ask the students what _they_ would like to learn about, giving them options. The more involved they feel, the better they learn. I would recommend having lots of back-up material for fast finishers, which may well end up being the entire class. I would also recommend finding out whatā€™s in the A-level syllabus and likely exams, and giving extra information on those subjects. Gifted students are a delight to teach. Theyā€™ll probably eat up whatever you give them (including Anguacookies ;)). Actually thatā€™s not completely a joke - I often give chocolates as a prize for the winning group in games/tests on the last day. But thatā€™s in English language classes - physics students may well be too serious for such frivolity. OTOH, it will be almost Christmas, and you do make mine pies ā„¢ā€¦ FWIW, I think youā€™d make a great teacher **Angua** , whether you wear a low-cut top or not. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/31 "2003-10-24T13:56:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SciFiSam \* > \*\* > OTOH, it will be almost Christmas, and you do make mine pies ā„¢ā€¦ > \*\* Now whoā€™s being greedy? šŸ˜‰ > [@](#): > > \*\*FWIW, I think youā€™d make a great teacher **Angua** , whether you wear a low-cut top or not. šŸ™‚ \*\* Thank you. šŸ˜ƒ I may well try and tie things into sci-fi, and pray that it works, and that theyā€™re sci-fi fans! Iā€™ve got some cool and funky movie clips on a laptop as well which will be useful. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/32 "2003-10-24T14:10:03Z")
letā€™s see, how can I get onto the fttp site and post those pics of arse cleavage and breast fondling from the last LonDope? šŸ™‚ donā€™t mind meā€¦ Iā€™m just talkingā€¦ ooh! itā€™s not even password protected! thatā€™ll make so much easierā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/33 "2003-10-24T14:10:14Z")
> [@](#): > > ā€¦Pickerelā€¦ No, Iā€™m sure it does. I just donā€™t have much taste, so I donā€™t care. > [@](#): > > Mind you, gender imbalances here are ridiculously skewed Every time I hear girls are outperforming boys up to a higher age; last I heard girls drew level at Maths A-Level, iirc, so weā€™ll hopefully get a decent supply of physiceuses eventually šŸ˜ƒ > [@](#): > > This is actually something I intend to do. I think Iā€™ll split the class into two, give them both material, and then ask them to argue Big Bang vs Steady State. Is there enough controvosy? Last I heard Big Bang was definately better (though Iā€™m notoriously out of touch with the real world; I may be wrong). ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/34 "2003-10-24T14:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*letā€™s see, how can I get onto the fttp site and post those pics of arse cleavage and breast fondling from the last LonDope? šŸ™‚ > \*\* Surely the hot GOGA pics would be a better option? šŸ˜‰ **Shade** , fair enough. And as for the Big Bang/Steady State thing, there isnā€™t really a controversy anymore. Iā€™m going to have to think of something else, like the nature of dark matter, or gamma ray bursters. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/35 "2003-10-24T14:18:18Z")
I talked to Fred Hoyle on the BigAssAfterlifePhoneā„¢, and he said itā€™s still pretty steady where he was. At least, thatā€™s what I think he said. A lot of ambient background noise, like he was at a Vietnamese disco or something. And then there was this Big Bang and the phone went dead. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/36 "2003-10-24T14:20:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*I talked to Fred Hoyle on the BigAssAfterlifePhoneā„¢, and he said itā€™s still pretty steady where he was. > > At least, thatā€™s what I think he said. A lot of ambient background noise, like he was at a Vietnamese disco or something. And then there was this Big Bang and the phone went dead. \*\* Have you been watching too much Jonathan Edwards again? šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/37 "2003-10-24T15:21:30Z")
SS/BB could work - how about a group of Skeptics, being eventually convinced by the evidence presented by BBers? You learn a lot about the evidence, and also about critical thinking, and have more fun, than if something is just presented. With someone saying ā€˜but couldnā€™t that be justā€¦ā€™ a lot, you learn to make an actual good case for BB, not just parrot stuff. What I wanted to avoid was someone feeling they had to lose or cheat representing one side. Thatā€™s not a good lesson for future scientists šŸ™‚ Damn, sounds like I missed a lot at LonDopes. Letā€™s see if we can outdo it this time šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/38 "2003-10-24T15:27:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shade \* > \*\* > Damn, sounds like I missed a lot at LonDopes. Letā€™s see if we can outdo it this time šŸ˜ƒ \*\* Are you coming to the next one then? ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/39 "2003-10-24T15:36:02Z")
I didnā€™t know there was one (date? link?) - I meant at mini-mini-cam-dope šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068/40 "2003-10-24T15:43:22Z")
Aah. Mini-CamDope should be fun. I doubt weā€™ll be able to out-do a LonDope, or even a mini-LonDope, unless people are willing to come up from London. The LonDopeā€™s happening on 29th November, and further details are [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=214772&perpage=50&pagenumber=1) You will have to trawl through a lot of banter though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-slightly-mad/209068.md?page=3)