BS physics, Harvey Mudd College
MA education, Claremont Graduate University
MS mathematics, Cal Poly University
Retired from teaching physics and mathematics at the secondary and community college levels.
Current Research Interest: Destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001
Microgravity is a term used to describe the environment in orbital vehicles, such as the Space Sh... more Microgravity is a term used to describe the environment in orbital vehicles, such as the Space Shuttle. Some elementary textbooks have started to substitute the term "microgravity" for the term "weightlessness." This paper explores the differences between the two concepts and questions the wisdom of making this wholesale switch in terminology.
A simple demonstration illustrates several properties of an expanding universe, including the fac... more A simple demonstration illustrates several properties of an expanding universe, including the fact that every point appears to be the center of expansion. The demonstration can lead to methods of finding the age of the simulated universe.
A simple origami construction produces a parabola, explains the reflection property of the parabo... more A simple origami construction produces a parabola, explains the reflection property of the parabola, and gives intuitive physical significance to the directrix.
The irregular motion of the comet as seen in the sky is explained by relating it to the motion of... more The irregular motion of the comet as seen in the sky is explained by relating it to the motion of the earth as seen from the comet.
Dealing with people who hold creationist beliefs is a factor in public science education. This p... more Dealing with people who hold creationist beliefs is a factor in public science education. This paper explores the issues that face people who grow up in a context where creationism is the norm and how they can come to terms with the theology of creation in light of modern science.
Creating a stepwise approximation to an orbit is a lab activity for introductory physics in the P... more Creating a stepwise approximation to an orbit is a lab activity for introductory physics in the Project Physics curriculum. This paper shows how to get somewhat improved results.
Fermi questions are order of magnitude estimates based on general information. The goal is to ge... more Fermi questions are order of magnitude estimates based on general information. The goal is to get the correct power of 10. This is a popular activity at physics competition events. The question is how to round off answers to the nearest order of magnitude, noting that this is a logarithmic problem.
A simple demonstration of double slit interference using the nearly obsolete pin feed strips of c... more A simple demonstration of double slit interference using the nearly obsolete pin feed strips of computer paper.
Microgravity is a term used to describe the environment in orbital vehicles, such as the Space Sh... more Microgravity is a term used to describe the environment in orbital vehicles, such as the Space Shuttle. Some elementary textbooks have started to substitute the term "microgravity" for the term "weightlessness." This paper explores the differences between the two concepts and questions the wisdom of making this wholesale switch in terminology.
A simple demonstration illustrates several properties of an expanding universe, including the fac... more A simple demonstration illustrates several properties of an expanding universe, including the fact that every point appears to be the center of expansion. The demonstration can lead to methods of finding the age of the simulated universe.
A simple origami construction produces a parabola, explains the reflection property of the parabo... more A simple origami construction produces a parabola, explains the reflection property of the parabola, and gives intuitive physical significance to the directrix.
The irregular motion of the comet as seen in the sky is explained by relating it to the motion of... more The irregular motion of the comet as seen in the sky is explained by relating it to the motion of the earth as seen from the comet.
Dealing with people who hold creationist beliefs is a factor in public science education. This p... more Dealing with people who hold creationist beliefs is a factor in public science education. This paper explores the issues that face people who grow up in a context where creationism is the norm and how they can come to terms with the theology of creation in light of modern science.
Creating a stepwise approximation to an orbit is a lab activity for introductory physics in the P... more Creating a stepwise approximation to an orbit is a lab activity for introductory physics in the Project Physics curriculum. This paper shows how to get somewhat improved results.
Fermi questions are order of magnitude estimates based on general information. The goal is to ge... more Fermi questions are order of magnitude estimates based on general information. The goal is to get the correct power of 10. This is a popular activity at physics competition events. The question is how to round off answers to the nearest order of magnitude, noting that this is a logarithmic problem.
A simple demonstration of double slit interference using the nearly obsolete pin feed strips of c... more A simple demonstration of double slit interference using the nearly obsolete pin feed strips of computer paper.
Uploads
Papers by David Chandler