Living Physics Portal: Random Motion Interactive Lecture Materials

Abstract: This module introduces the random walk immediately after 1D kinematics, so as to emphasize the importance of random motion in the life sciences and lay a foundation for students to think statistically as well as deterministically. It connects the random walk of individual molecules as the mechanism for gradient-driven flow. The module culminates in a two-week (6-hour) laboratory in which students actually observe random motion on the microscopic scale through video microscopy and digital image analysis.

Resource Types: In-class activity, Clicker question, Lecture materials

Authors:

Catherine Crouch

Swarthmore College

Ben Geller

Swarthmore College

TOPICS

Physics Topics:

Thermo & Stat Mech > Kinetic and Diffusive Processes > Brownian Motion, Diffusion, Kinetic Theory, Mean Collision Time, Mean Free Path, Viscosity

Life Sciences Topics:

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > Causal Mechanisms > Physical Mechanisms

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > Matter/energy Transfer & Transforms > Cross-membrane Transport, Material Flow

Chemistry Topics:

Gases > Ideal Gas Law

Math Topics:

Probability; Statistics

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Random Motion Module > Random Motion Interactive Lecture Materials

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License: CC: BY-NC-SA - Attribution, No Commercial uses and Share Alike. Derivative works must have the same license

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