20200318

Online reading assignment: Kirchhoff's laws (SLO campus)

Astronomy 210, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students have a weekly online reading assignment (hosted by SurveyMonkey.com), where they answer questions based on reading their textbook, material covered in previous lectures, opinion questions, and/or asking (anonymous) questions or making (anonymous) comments. Full credit is given for completing the online reading assignment before next week's lecture, regardless if whether their answers are correct/incorrect. Selected results/questions/comments are addressed by the instructor at the start of the following lecture.

The following questions were asked on reading textbook chapters and previewing presentations on Kirchhoff's laws.


Selected/edited responses are given below.

Describe something you found interesting from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview, and explain why this was personally interesting for you.
"I found it interesting that the emission spectrum relates to the material we learned in class a few weeks ago about gaseous elements. Before, I was only aware that particular colors of light are exclusively emitted depending on the movement of electrons in an element. However, I now know light can be emitted as also a continuous or emission spectrum. I found this interesting because it did not occur to me that a star or even a rainbow might emit photons differently due to their specific spectrum types."

"I find the different spectra interesting. It interests me to know how different things put out different types of light and to learn the science behind it. I always knew that neon lights were different from normal lights, but understanding how they produce their colors is an experience!"

"The spectrum types are very interesting, albeit confusing, from reading about it on my own. It seems like something that will take some further explanation and repetition to get down, but I am interested in exploring it further as light is all around us."

"I enjoyed learning about the different spectra and what produces them. I only knew about the continuous spectrum, so learning about the other ones was very interesting."

"Something I found interesting was the spectra of the sun and stars. This was interesting to me because I didn't know how the spectra was made, and the process is very intriguing."

"I have always found the Doppler effect super-interesting. It is just such an interesting and curious effect. After reading this, it makes a lot more sense."

"The Doppler effect is interesting to me because you can interact and hear it everyday. I think it's really cool that a pitch of sound is determined by its wavelength."

"I really liked learning about the Doppler effect. I never really paid attention to the different pitches a horn makes as it is moving past someone. I think it is interesting that it changes depending on if the car is moving towards you or away from you."

Describe something you found confusing from the assigned textbook reading or presentation preview, and explain why this was personally confusing for you.
"I have a good understanding on the three different types of light spectrum; however, I seem to be struggling with correlating them to actual pictures of objects. When they are shown in the boxed diagrams it is easier to distinguish them, but I'm not sure how to transfer that over to real-life objects."

"I was having a little difficulty debating which things went with emission and absorption spectra, I think I might be getting them backwards, but I also might be right! Lol"

"The three kinds of spectra and their rules.It is hard for me to conceptualize things that I have not heard of before."

"The overview of Kirchhoff's laws in the textbook were too brief and vague."

"The blueshifts and redshifts confuse me because I do not understand the definitions given in the textbook."

"I found it interesting to learn about the Doppler effect but it was more difficult for me to understand. Seeing the wavelengths that a car sound makes when driving past you helped me better understand it since it was drawn out."

I believe Pluto should be a planet. (Original responses.)
Strongly disagree.   * [1]
Disagree.   ************ [12]
Neutral.   ************ [12]
Agree.   ******** [8]
Strongly Agree.   * [1]

I believe Pluto should be a planet. (This is a follow-up question.)
Strongly disagree.  **** [4]
Disagree.  ************* [13]
Neutral.  ********** [10]
Agree.  ***** [5]
Strongly Agree.  * [1]

Briefly explain your answer to the previous question (whether Pluto should be a planet).
"I don't disagree nor agree. I find that the neutral position is easier and shows that the decision of planet making is not mine."

"I agree it should be a planet because it has everything other planets have like being round."

"I agree Pluto should be a planet because it has all the same aspects other planets have like being round."

"It doesn't fit the new definition of what a planet is but lots of people who don't know that definition still call it a planet, so I'm fine with either or."

"I know now that Pluto should not be a planet. It just doesn't fit the criteria."

"I don't really have a strong opinion on whether Pluto should be a planet or not, but based off the evidence it doesn't seem like Pluto fits into the 'planet' category to well. Pluto's orbit and size differ a lot from all of the other planets, it really doesn't seem to fit in."

"After learning the guidelines for what constitutes a planet, it is clear that Pluto does not qualify as one. Though, I don't feel to strongly about it, I wouldn't mind seeing it make a comeback, though that would require a lot of changes in planet definitions."

"I'm neutral. I grew up knowing Pluto was a planet and then became a star, so for me Pluto will always be a planet at heart."

"I believe that if we found life or movement on Pluto we could possibly consider looking into it becoming a planet. However, like I previously said Pluto shouldn't become a planet because its not in the orbiting rings."

"I believe that if we found life or movement on Pluto we could maybe consider looking into it becoming a planet. However, like I previously said Pluto shouldn't become a planet because its not in the orbiting rings."

"Due to it being a body that orbits the sun and it's a dwarf planet."

"I understand why Pluto is no longer considered a planet, because it doesn't dominate its orbit, but since I grew up thinking it was a planet, it is hard for me to view it as anything different. it doesn't fit under the standards of being a planet after learning it doesn't dominate its orbit."

"Pluto should not be a planet because there is many other similar sized dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt that are not considered planets either."

"I do not think it's a planet. But I’m still neutral because I'm willing to listen to someone's views on why it is one."

"Pluto doesn't dominate its orbit so it can’t be a planet. Based off the three classifications for being a planet, Pluto meets all 3. It should be considered a planet, no matter how small it is."

"If Pluto could be a planet then so many others could be too. We would be back in a time with 1,500+ planets and more discovery would lead to more and more. Having a three-step classification narrows down the most important ones to watch."

"Since it was once a planet, I think that it should always be a planet. Although it is known as the dwarf planet, when I first learned about planets it was there, so I will always think it is still considered a planet."

"I don't believe that Pluto should be a planet, and redefining it as a dwarf planet was the correct choice. If it dominated its own orbit around the sun, and didn't come in so close to the moon, and then further than anything else."

"Pluto is too small and boring."

"According to the classifications that we learned about, it doesn't make sense to treat it as a planet."

"Pluto had a good run, we should give Makemake a chance at planethood."

"The classifications makes it a dwarf planet due to it not dominating its orbit."

"I believe Pluto should be a planet because it's more of a planet than Jupiter."

"I still do not believe Pluto should be considered a planet because it cannot expel objects from its own orbit. I believe this fact alone is convincing because asteroids are not considered planets for the same reason. All objects in space must be evaluated with the same set of IAU rules, meaning Pluto's failure to meet these criteria technically would imply it is not a planet."

"Well, I now know how planets are categorized and by following that Pluto is a dwarf planet."

"Pluto can't be a planet, because it does not dominate its own orbit. It fits all the other qualifications for being a planet, except for the fact that it doesn't dominate its own orbit. Therefore, it is considered a dwarf planet."

"The rules are too strict for being a planet."

"Pluto should not be a planet because it does not dominate its orbit, therefore it should be a dwarf planet based on the IAU classes and rules."

"I don't have much of a preference because the logical part of me sees why it's a dwarf planet because it doesn't hit all the criteria of being an independent planet but there's also a part of me that wants Pluto to belong with the other major planets in our system since the little guy is so far away and is already isolated."

Match the spectrum type with their appearance.
(Only correct responses shown.)
Rainbow containing all colors: continuous [85%]
Rainbow with thin black lines: absorption [76%]
Colored lines on a black background: emission [79%]
Given off by hot, dense object: continuous [70%]
Given off by hot, diffuse gas atoms: emission [67%]
Passing through cool, diffuse gas atoms: [52%]

Hot, molten metal produces a(n) __________ spectrum, which appears as a:
continuous; rainbow.  ********** [10]
emission; series of bright lines on a dark background.  ******* [7]
absorption; series of dark lines on a rainbow background.  ********* [9]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  ******* [7]

The sun produces a(n) __________ spectrum, which appears as a:
continuous; rainbow.  ******** [8]
emission; series of bright lines on a dark background.  ******* [7]
absorption; series of dark lines on a rainbow background.  ************* [13]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  ***** [5]

The lights atop the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, CA, produces a(n) __________ spectrum, which appears as a:
continuous; rainbow.  *********** [11]
emission; series of bright lines on a dark background.  ************** [14]
absorption; series of dark lines on a rainbow background.  ****** [6]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  ** [2]

Your instructor produces a(n) __________ spectrum, which appears as a:
continuous; rainbow.  ******* [7]
emission; series of bright lines on a dark background.  *************** [15]
absorption; series of dark lines on a rainbow background.  *** [3]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  ******** [8]

The balrog from The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring produces a(n) __________ spectrum, which appears as a:
continuous; rainbow.  *** [3]
emission; series of bright lines on a dark background.  ***************** [17]
absorption; series of dark lines on a rainbow background.  **** [4]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  ********* [9]

Suppose you are standing on the sidewalk as a car, with its horn continuously on, passes by (video link). The loudness of the car horn:
starts loud, then gets quieter.  **** [4]
starts quiet, then gets louder.  ***** [5]
starts quiet, gets louder, then goes back down to quiet.  *********************** [23]
starts loud, gets quieter, then goes back up to loud.   [0]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  * [1]

Suppose you are standing on the sidewalk as a car, with its horn continuously on, passes by (video link, same as above). The pitch (high note/low note) of the car horn:
starts high, then drops lower.  ************* [13]
starts low, then goes higher.  **** [4]
starts low, goes higher, then drops back down to low.  ************ [12]
starts high, goes lower, then goes back up to high.   *** [3]
(Unsure/guessing/lost/help!)  * [1]

Ask the instructor an anonymous question, or make a comment. Selected questions/comments may be discussed in class.
"The spectrum picto-quiz was a bit challenging for me, can we find a way to go over these?"

"How do you differentiate between the different spectrums in terms of the examples that were given? I guess I'm still a little confused about their real-life applications and how each works."

"I was hoping you could provide a little more clarification on distinguishing what spectrum is being seen. I had trouble figuring out the ones that were different from the exact examples given when explaining what produces what spectra."

"I'm concerned on how learning the material more on my own will be with it all being online because the lectures were the most helpful with making me understand material."

"Are you happy going completely online? Do you think there is a chance of us maybe coming back to school if this all clears beforehand? I do NOT like all online at all." (I'm okay with it, but it is a lot of work (but I'm finally getting around to learning how to use Adobe Premiere Pro, which I've always wanted to do). As much as I would like us to return back to face-to-face classes before the end of this semester, I'm rather pessimistic about that happening.)

"Online is going to be different, but good." (I appreciate your optimism.)

"Have you ever taught this course online before? Pros and cons?" (No, this is my very first time. I'm having to learn a lot very quickly, it reminds me of when I first started teaching at Cuesta College.)

"I don't know if I'll be fine in an online class since I learn more face-to-face when you explain these things to us."

"I really appreciate the option of 'unsure/lost/guessing/help' on these questions, and I think its a fair choice for assignments like this. However, I think students have the tendency to guess an answer instead of choosing 'unsure/lost/guessing/help' in order to greatly increase their chances of getting lucky and getting points. This is just something that crossed my mind. I know you appreciate knowing if students genuinely don't understand a question or concept, so I am just wondering if this tendency might skew the feedback." (Everyone gets credit for answering a question, whether they get it correct, incorrect, or choose 'unsure/lost/guessing/help.' I think choosing 'unsure/lost/guessing/help' is actually a very honest way of students letting me know that we need to focus on certain topics in class.)

"Will there still be a tutor available for this class now that it is fully online?" (I've asked about that; still waiting to hear from the Student Success Center if tutors will be available online.)

"Thank you for your work in this difficult time." (You're welcome. Thank you all for being patient and willing to change over to learning online.)

"I hope you are staying healthy!" (You, too! #socialdistancing)

"Do you use Spectrum internet?" (Ironically, yes.)

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