Online reading assignment: interesting Midterm 1 physics topics

Physics 205A, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

"2017-07 Phys 205A confusing"
Waifer X
flic.kr/p/ZC7p6g

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Physics 205A students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Students have a bi-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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

These raw responses were subsequently edited to consolidate related common subjects.

How forces act on objects, the effects it causes on each force and the interaction between those forces.
projectile motion, Newton's laws
I'm not sure what this is asking.
Centripetal, Newton's first law, displacement
Centripetal force, centrifugal force, elastic energy
Projectile motion and free fall calculations.
Newton's laws of motion
static friction force
friction, projectile motion , kinematics
Newton's laws, different types of forces, acceleration and speed, velocity, mass, momentum, weight
Anvil, Newton's laws, projectile
uniform circular motion, friction, and Newton's laws
challenging, exciting, new
acceleration is imense, projectile motion is now more calculated to me, precise force
acceleration, pulleys, stiction
Newton's laws, velocity, accleration
Newton's laws, Uniform Circular Motion, and friction.
newton laws projectile motion
force, direction, magnitude
Projectile motion and motion graphs
Circular motion phenomena
Newton's laws, force, suspension
Distance vs. displacement, centripetal force, Newton's laws
Vectors, kinetic and static friction, Uniform circular motion

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject confused you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"Maybe uniform circular motion, because it is harder to understand compared to all the other subjects, the forces act differently."

"I like projectile motion problems because it is like a puzzle and the problems are concrete."

"None is particularly that interesting."

"Calculus chain of pain."

"Centripetal force is the most interesting as I never once thought there was a pull towards the center of any circular motion."

"Projectile motion because I ride mountain bikes and use this conceptually every time I jump down a trail."

"Projectile motion, because it’s real life applications are interesting."

"Newton's laws were the most interesting because they apply to other classes that I am taking."

"Projectile motion because it can be applied to everyday life."

"I find it interesting that things hit the ground at the same time when one is dropped versus the other being horizontally moved somehow. not always the case im sure but its interesting. I go to the range with my grandpa and shoot guns and for some reason it makes me think of bullets and when they will hit the ground in a way. Not exactly the same type of thing im sure but yeah. The most interesting subject for me in this class so far is anything that has a strong, easily perceptible application to a real-world situation. Abstract mathematical physics problems are not only boring to me, they become useless when I don't really learn them - which is what happens when it is difficult to translate what is happening in the equation/problem to real life."

"Newton's second law of uniform circular motion is pretty interesting to me because it's not as intuitive as some other concepts."

"I found that the labs were very interesting, but that's about it."

"Learning that it takes more force to get something moving than it does to keep it moving was interesting because I had never thought about it that way before."

"The most interesting subject to me so far is projectile motion. The idea of an object free falling and eventually reaching a constant terminal velocity was hard to grasp for a second. It was interesting to think that if you free fell from a certain height, even a mile higher you would not hit the ground any harder."

"Stiction is by far the most interesting aspect of this unit for me. Different materials have different static friction coefficients, which relates directly to molecular bonding and partial charges."

"I think the using the forces were most interesting to me because I like the idea of biomechanics."

"I think that uniform circular motion was the most interesting because it is one of those things I never really thought about how it worked before and now it makes sense."

"I personally like projectile motion because the ability to calculate the path of a thrown object is very helpful as a programmer with an interest in games."

"I thought that uniform circular motion was fascinating; something that I was able to observe in the real world was finally explained. The practice problem involving water in a bucket was especially interesting, as it tied net force and normal force together in a new way that was especially great for a visual learner like myself."

"I feel like the projectile motion will be the most interesting to me, because my brain works on seeing things that way. I am currently learning how to fly airplanes and this is one thing that we constantly have to take into consideration especially as we are climbing to avoid obstacles or coming in to land."

"Circular motion, because its applicable in many real-life situations."

"I find suspension and the forces that are involved in suspension to be interesting. I think the reason is because I am highly afraid of elevators so it's interesting to see how they work regarding physics."

"I thought the discussion of Newton's laws was very interesting. I only briefly learned about them in high school but once I got to learn about them in depth, it was very interesting."

"Vectors--due to a failure in the online enrollement system, I finished all my engineering classes before doing any physics, I loved working on vectors and tension."

Online reading assignment: interesting Midterm 1 astronomy topics

Astronomy 210, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

"201707Astr210interesting"
Waifer X
flic.kr/p/Z3tBtU

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Astronomy 210 students at 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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

These raw responses were subsequently edited to consolidate related common subjects.

Planets, astronomers, star wheel
Planets, stars, astronomers
Astonished Confusing Fun
Moon phases, retrograde motion, astronomers
Moon phases, planetary motion, and terrestrial planets.
Starwheel, Planet-finding, moon-phases
astrology planets moon phases
the solar system and how each planet, star and sun need each other
Planets, moon phases, eclipses
Atoms, corona (not the beer), convection
constellations, moon phases, astronomers
Plants, moon phases, eclipses
bountiful, profane, interconnected
star motion, retrograde motion, and telescope powers.
Astrology, moon phases, telescopes.
Moon Phases, Planet finding, Telescope properties
Moons eclipses constellations
Planets, telescopes, star wheel
planets, stars, atmosphere
moon, telescopes, and constellations
moon phases planet hunting eclipses
phases, zodiac, powers
Astronomers, atmospheres, telescopes
Remembering wavelengths, Pluto, Moon phases
moon phases, light spectrum
Unique, Practical, Helpful
astrology, phases, stars
Astrology, Moon Phases, Telescopces
Constellation, prograde, retrograde
Eclipses, Moon Phases, Astronomers
eclipses, phases, telescopes
Moon phases, planets, and star positions
It was interesting to learn about how telescopes work and its different components.
Moon Phases, Constellations, Stars
dwarf planets, lenses, telescopes
eclipses, starwheels, planet-hunting, moon phases
Constellations, "Astrology", Moon phases
Eclipse, light pollution, astrology
Telescopes, location of planets in the sky, electromagnetic radiation.
Space seasons astrology
Gravity, Astroides, Dwarf Stars
phases, telescopes, blackholes
moon phase, star wheel, moon rise/set/overhead times
planets venus mars
stars, motion, Tycho, Jupiter's moons
star-wheel, Kepler, air turbulance
Astronomers, star wheels, planets.
Mars, Wavelength, and Constellation

Describe your most confusing subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"How to use a starwheel and how to locate stars, constellations, etc."

"Using starwheel and how to find constellations, etc."

"Retrograde--the way things retrograde at certain periods is fascinating because there is a cause and effect of what's going on. Evening Stars--weird how only certain stars are only visible during night time and no other time. Mercury--interesting that Mercury rises while Venus is setting, and the two planets are relatively close to each other."

"I really thought all the topics that I mentioned above all work together. Especially the retrograde motion and the Astrosomer. I had not heard of retrograde motion before really."

"I think that probably the most interesting topic that will be covered in this exam will be the moon phases. I really enjoy seeing why the moon goes through phases, and learning about solar and lunar eclipses."

"Astrology was the most interesting for me because it is something I have dealt with very little in the past."

"I found the placement of stars and how you find them in the sky very interesting. I think this because I like how you can predict where they will be and easily find the different constellations through this. It's interesting how there is a pattern."

"That the plants keep moving in the same counterclockwise revolving motions over the billions of years and we can track things that have happened"

"Zodiac constellations because they help determine your personality."

"The planets are very interesting. The gas giants in particular fascinate me. The fact that Saturn would float."

"I believe that the most interesting subject will be the constellations and the astronomers, because I believe that there is a connection between what astronomers have discovered about them and the rest of the solar system and what's different about them today. (For example, why Wikipedia is not updated?) I also find it interesting how one's progress and development was picked up by another's to get what we know about planets today. Lastly, I think it's cool to be able to find out what true constellation I or other people have and compare them with what people believe is actually their's or mine today."

"I have to say, the most interesting thing I have learned so far is knowing how to make the diagram with the sun and earth (and of course, adding planets) , and knowing where too put the times and east and west on Earth, as well as the highest point times for the moon's phases. Because, if you know this, you can find out a lot of stuff."

"I found it most interesting learning about the phases of the moon at different times of day and night. I still can't quite comprehend why certain phases of the moon are only visible at certain times of day and night."

"I like the starwheel because it can be used at any time."

"Finding out that I am technically not a Scorpio with my star chart and all my horoscope readings have been lies."

"The most interesting subject covered in this midterm for me would have to be the finding of planets. I think the whole concept of being able to determine if we can see a certain planet at a certain time is very fascinating."

"The most interesting subject covered in this midterm was learning about eclipses although I thought everything was super-interesting."

"Most interesting would be the starwheel since I never knew how to use one until I took this class."

"I think the composition of all of the planets was the most interesting thing. I liked learning about the churning of the atmosphere and the massive hurricane on Jupiter surface, and I liked learning about the fact that Uranus has rings."

"The telescope properties are the most interesting to me because it was interesting to learn what makes a good telescope."

"my most interesting subject was using the star wheel and learning how to locate constellations in the sky."

"I really found planetary motion the most interesting. I had never been able to understand the retrograde and prograde motions, and I like that I am now able to describe the motion to others."

"Personally, learning more about the astronomers was my most interesting subject because I have previously learned about a few of them but not in the astronomy world."

"I though light pollution was interesting because it's something I'd never thought about before, but now I'll think about it every time I look up at the sky at night."

"I like learning about the electromagnetic spectrum because I think that the concept of light waves are insane, and it's really crazy that we can see most of them but they are all around us everyday."

"I've been really interested in the history of astronomy. It's always neat to see how sciences develop and the minds that go down in history for contributing. It also humors me when people are remembered for theories that end up being disproven."

"I think the most interesting subject we're covering on the midterm is checking the moon phases during certain times of the day/month. I've always found them interesting and it's really cool to think about the perspective and where we'll be during certain phases."

"I love all the moon phases. I grew up with farmers and they always were always so interested in the moon phases for farming but I love seeing it from a different aspect and how it ties together."

"I think one of the most interesting things we discussed was planets' prograde and retrograde because although in the sky it looks like the planet is making a loop, it really only appears that way because it is passing Earth in its orbit."

"I found learning about the different astronomers and laws related to them interesting because I didn't know about a couple of them before."

"The most interesting subject for me are the moon phases and cycles. I really like that I can now identify what phase the moon is in and rising and setting times just by looking up at the sky."

"I found interesting is learning when certain planets can be seen by earth depending when its rising or setting and where it's located in the horizon. Before this class I didn't know there where such things as an evening or morning star which are constantly changing."

"Learning about how the focal length, diameter, and eye piece effects the magnification, resolving, and light gathering powers of a telescope has been fascinating. It feels like a lot of the mystery I had looked at the tool with has been stripped away, in the best way."

"Zodiac and sun signs. This is interesting to me because I learned a lot more about how accurate the signs are. I also learned that they change over time due to rotations."

"The fact that you can figure out a person's sign is pretty cool and super creepy."

"Eclipses is the most interesting subject for me because I never knew much about eclipses and I think that now I understand at least the basic concepts about eclipses."

"I'm particularly fond of the 'legit astrology' portion of the class (sun signs + rising signs) because although I do not believe in horoscopes, it is still very interesting as to how people categorize themselves with certain constellations and the position of the stars."

"Historical astronomers."

"I think that the different types of radiation we have found (e.g. gamma rays, etc.) is interesting. I feel like there could be more and we just don't have the tech to pick it up yet."

"The most interesting to me is astrology. I have always been interested, but think it is even more interesting that they are all off by one sign."

"I found the problem of moving a bigger planet out into the Milky Way fascinating."

"Planet surfaces, because it is cool to see and learn more about."

"I think the sun sign vs. the rising sign is interesting because it's a different sign depending which one you're looking for."

"I really liked going more in depth on the planets! I think it is really cool"

"The moon phases because I knew nothing about it and now given context I find out out what kind of moon it will be and when t will be rising, highest overhead, and setting."

"I really like learning how telescopes work. The interferometer is probably the coolest thing to me because I really like seeing how people creatively work around problems, and understanding how machines work."

"I think the star wheel is the most interesting subject because I think it's cool that you can find out so much from it."

"The most interesting subject on this midterm will be about the moon and learning how to tell what moon will be out in the sky 6 hours later."

Presentation: marketplace astronomy (results)

Let's compare your results with students from a previous semester. Here is the word tag cloud generated by Wordle.net for astronomy-related car makes and models. Frequently-listed cars are larger, while cars used only once are smallest. How many of these cars were you able to list? Anyone have cars not listed here?

Here is the word tag cloud for astronomy-related food brand names from a previous semester. Again, frequently-listed brands are larger, while brand names used only once are smallest. How many of these brand names were you able to list? Anyone have brand names not listed here?

Astronomy-related non-food brand names from a previous semester. Again, how many of these brand names were you able to list? Anyone have brand names not listed here?

Now we have potentially interesting astronomy topics from another previous semester. A lot of you are looking forward to learning about "black holes" this semester. Anyone have interesting topics not listed here?

And potentially confusing astronomy topics from another previous semester. "Black holes" is prominent here as well! Anyone have interesting topics not listed here? (Some of you may consider "math" as potentially confusing--yes, there is an algebra math prerequisite for this course, but there are no explicit calculations as we'll be focusing on graphs, dependencies, and proportionalities--essentially math without equations.)

And we have time to answer a few of your questions and comments.

"If you discovered a planet, P-dog, what would you name it?"

I would name it after my wife. I would name it: "Mrs. P-dog."

"Do you believe in aliens? Or life on other planets?"

Yes, and yes. I would bet money on it. I would bet $1. And I would win. But if I lost, it'd just be $1.

"Do you think Pluto should still be a planet?"

Let me tell you a story of my senior year in high school, way back when. I turned 18 during my senior year, and that was a big deal because you only needed to be 18 to be able to purchase and drink alcohol. My senior year was awesome. Commencement was awesome. Graduation parties were awesome...until a few years later, when the legal drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. And there was no grandfather clause. So before, it was legal for me to drink; but afterwards, I was no longer allowed to drink anymore. And that wasn't fair... So when it comes to Pluto, which was a planet, and then rules were changed so it is now no longer a planet, and there was no grandfather clause--I say, suck it up, Pluto.

Previous posts:

• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, spring semester 2014)
• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, fall semester 2012)
• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, spring semester 2012).
• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, fall semester 2011).
• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, fall semester 2010).
• Astronomy in-class activity: astronomy in the marketplace tags (Cuesta College, spring semester 2010).

Online reading assignment question: interesting Midterm 1 astronomy topics

Astronomy 210, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

"141014-Astr210interestingwordle-"
https://flic.kr/p/pEZNqS
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Astronomy 210 students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/8230815/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[Responses have been edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Moon Sun Earth
planetarymotion, geologicalactivity, EMwaves
retrograde, planets, Moon
retrograde, EMwaves, lightgatheringpower
Sun, astronomers, planets
electrons, planets, moonphases
moonphases, planets, telescopes
awesome, mysterious, alluring, enlightening
starwheel, eclipses, Keplerslaws
moonphases, starwheel, planets
moonphases, planetarymotion
eclipses, stars, moonphases
moonphases, eclipses, telescopes
rotation, resolvingpower, turbulence
moonphases, eclipses, planets
ellipses, diurnalmotion, telescopepowers
starwheel, moonphases, planets
telescopes, moonphases, light
eclipses, telescopes, moonphases
moonphases, planets, light
Aristotle, telescopes, stars
zodiacsigns, planets, Newtonslaws
Moon, platetectonics, twinklingstars
moonphases, eclipses, IAUplanetclassification
neonlights, Polaris, zodiacsigns
moonphases, planets, eclipses
eclipses, telescopes, moonphases
moonphases, Emwaves, telescopes
moonphases, eclipses, zodiacsigns
moonphases, starwheel, eclipses
telescopes, Earth, Newton
moonphases, eclipses, sunrise, sunset
infrared, stars, sunlight
moonphases, planetfinding, starwheel
moonphases, starwheel, eclipses
starwheel, moonphases, telescopes
planets, lightpollution, starwheel
telescopes, eclipses, orbits
moonphases, sunrise, sunset
Moon, stars, light
starwheel, moonphases, planets
starwheel, eclipses, light
moonphases, solstice, equinox, tides, Moon
moonphases, starwheel
starwheel, planets, constellations
Moon, eclipses, gibbous
moonphases, eclipses, planetfinding
constellations, starwheel, moonphases, seasons
useful, cool, groovy
telescopes, umbra, annulareclipses
seasons, eclipses, lightpollution
telescopes, Moon, Sun
moonphases, telescopes, starwheel
telescopes, planets, starwheel
moonphases, starwheel
fascinating, amazing, incredible

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"keplers laws of elliptical motion, it was interesting because it was all based on observation"

"I primarily liked learning about (although I'm unsure to what degree we'll be tested on it), how predictions are made for the composition and density of other objects in the universe and how generalizations based on empirical data can be used to interpret observations elsewhere. Because I had wondered, and then I learned more."

"I really enjoyed learning about the ancient philosophers because it's interesting to learn about how people with limited historical data discovered some of the theories that we still utilize today."

"I really liked the section about eclipses. I have always found them interesting and before I knew the difference between a lunar and a solar eclipse I always thought they were the same thing with a different name. Know that I know the difference I think I like them even more."

"The most interesting subject for me so far would be the reason why we have 14 hours of sunlight during summer and 10 hours during winter. I always thought it was because of the weather, because it was either clear skies or really cloudy."

"My most interesting subject is the subject on Planets and how most of them are uninhabitable and why, because as a fan of sci fi movies I'm genuinely interested in other planets sustaining life."

"The moon fazes are the most interesting to me, I find it interesting that they all rise and set at different times."

"The different planets, and all their different characteristics;personally, was the most interesting."

"Learning about the other planets in our solar system has given me a greater appreciation for Earth, and the life that exist here. And for those reasons, it is the most interesting. the stuff we did with the star chart"

"I found the star wheel interesting because you can predict so much from just two little pieces of paper."

"Stars because they're beautiful and interesting, it's fun trying to locate them."

"I really enjoyed the moon phases. Simply because now I understand what each phase is and when it rises/sets."

"I thought the dual focus telescopes were pretty interesting, I thought it was interesting that we used two separate images and combine them for better resolution. It's like our eyes."

"Moon phases. I never knew how to tell what moon phase we are in. But now I do, and it is so simple and interesting. If you can accurately describe the moon phase people think you are much smarter!"

"The most interesting subject was the moon phases because I'll actually be able to use that a lot in everyday life."

"using the starwheel and finding the dates and times of when certain stars are visible was interesting for me because it's simple and seems the like the most helpful thing to take from astronomy."

"I thought the section about telescopes was interesting. I enjoy learning how things work."

"Umm, probably the moon phases, simply because I love the moon."

"Something that I found interesting was light, and various rays because of the various levels they reach and how they contribute to astronomy."

"Eclipses was the most interesting even though it was the most difficult for me to understand. i think its cool that the moon blocks the earth from the sun"

"Zodiac signs because its awesome how much energy was spent trying to discover them way back when it was all new"

"The moon and constellations because I love the moon it has strong meaning in my life and I have always wanted to get better at finding star constellations. Or for this class it would be the star wheel more than constellations."

"I think the most interesting subject of it would be the explanation of prograde and retrograde motion; the 'loop-de-loop' that the other planets appear to go through. It's baffling to think that it's all an illusion of us passing the planets!"

"Zodiac signs, because it was interesting to know that society believes thats the sign they were born to but in actuality thats the sign you would have been born to when the concept of zodiac signs was first conceived and mapped."

"I really liked going over the moon phases. Ever since, I've paid a way closer attention to what moon phase it currently is each day. (currently waxing gibbous)"

"Phases of then moon are very interesting to me because it is nice to know the basics about the moon and be able identify what phase it is in as well as its motion throughout the sky in everyday life. going over the star wheel because it shows where the stars are according to your location."

"I really enjoyed learning about zodiacs. I liked it because I have always been interested but not very informed on things besides myths."

"I loved finding constellations and such with the star wheel. Being able to pinpoint dates and times with the simple movement of finding the placement of stars interests me greatly."

"I really liked learning about all the people who had a hand in creating our solar system and figuring out how to understand what goes on up there. That was pretty cool."

"I find moon phases to be very interesting. I like knowing what the name is of each moon phase, and also the time they each rise and set."

"I liked learning about infrared light because I know you have to be on top of a mountain to get the clearest view. I liked using the star wheel to help me know where stars are at certain times and I liked knowing what I can and cannot see during different times of the day if I'm standing somewhere specific and the sun is placed somewhere specific."

"I found the moon phases the most interesting because now I always look up at the moon to see what phase it is in."

"I've always loved learning about moon phases and being able to use that knowledge when seeing the moon."

"The moon phases. I understand them and now can point it out to my friends =D."

"I think learning about the star map has been most interesting me because I can set it to the exact time and ate and see what the sky will look like. that is pretty cool!"

"i think the most interesting topic is the movements of stars and constellations the most interesting."

"the moon phases because it was difficult for me at first but I was able to grasp the concept and actually understand/remember them now."

"the moon because i enjoy starring at it"

"Moon phases, you see the moon all the time but I never knew the exact phases and I can now predict when a certain moon will rise or set."

"The most interesting subject for me was the moon phases and even though that is a really specific topic, I enjoyed learning about it the most. Learning about the phases was very interesting and the pattern of determining what phase a moon is in at a certain time is like piecing together a puzzle, which I find really fun."

"I think using the starwheel is interesting because you can actually learn a lot from it and you can control it."

"I really liked know what type of moon it is and when it rises and sets and is at its highest point."

"Planets, because theyre cool"

"I don't have a certain subject I like the most, but I do find it extremely interesting how much we know and how we determine the things we cover."

"I was so excited that I got 100% on the first quiz...so I had assumed I would remember everything for that last quiz...I was wrong. So, I will be reviewing moon phases a little more thoroughly. And, I've always loved the moon."

"Learning about the earth's rotation and the moon's phases."

"i really enjoyed learning about the moon phases because now i can look at the moon everyday and be able to tell; what type of moon it is, when it rises and sets, and also the phase it will be in the next week"

"I liked learning about the phases of the moon. It is a simple concept to grasp and now every night I can tell my friends what phase the moon is in."

"My favorite was the lunar and solar eclipses because so many civilizations knew how to predict when they would come without prior knowledge of star mapping. They just knew when it would come."

"Telescopes were always an object that I have been interested in as far as how they worked. So I am glad we got to learn about the different kinds and actually look through one at Saturn."

"Moon phases, its cool to know what they are called."

"Telescopes because I think they are amazing inventions that people have created to see things we cant see with the human eye or things we can see with the human eye up close."

"I think the moon phases will be easy because I memorized the diagram and I know when the moons set and their phases. I have finally mastered the star wheel it no longer gives me trouble!"

"The cycles of the moon and it was most interesting because once i got it, i got it! Now whenever i look at the moon i know where it is and how to tell when it will set and rise."

Online reading assignment question: interesting Midterm 1 physics topics

Physics 205B, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

"20140329-interesting"
https://flic.kr/p/mzenHt
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Physics 205B students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7700708/Untitled).

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.

List at least five words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses, verbatim and unedited.

"I enjoyed learning about single slit and double slit interference and how they relate to things like CDs/DVDs and even how you can determine the width of a strand of hair using these principals I really like the ray diagrams because you can draw it right and get the answer."

"Something interesting is myopia, hyperopia, and how being nearsighted or farsighted needs corrective lenses that are convergent or divergent."

"I actually like the ray tracing part of this midterm. It seemed complicated at first, but the many different parts make it more interesting."

"destructive interference. I don't quite know why, but I was super interested in this topic. Light fascinates me and its so interesting how it can cancel itself."

"Definitely diffraction and total internal reflection"

"Corrective optics was the most interesting to me because I wear contacts. It was interesting to find out what kind of lens I wear and I realized that my vision is very bad because my prescription is -4.75 diopters."

"I personally found polarization very interested in the way that it works and the amount of light transferred."

"The most interesting subject covered in this midterm would have to be constructive vs. destructive interference for me. It interested me because it was a subject I was able to really grasp the best."

"i really enjoyed learning about light refraction. I think that it is interesting that you could think something is not where it actually located due to light. also polarization. i forgot to order the polarized lenses for my glasses no i see the lens glare."

"Little here has direct application to my major beyond perhaps polarization, but getting to the start of electricity has the most personal interest to me for hobbyist purposes."

"Optics. Although I could relate most everything covered to 'real life', I really had no idea how any sort of lenses worked, and, of course, I use them a lot."

"I enjoyed learning about the relationship between the wavelength, frequency, and speed of light. This interested me in part because I could understand it and how they effect each other when altered."

"The most interesting subject covered in the midterm are the lens problems. I find this subject interesting because it was easy to follow once I was able to understand the basic concept of the equation and how it functioned."

"I like energy fields because they make sense to me"

"Interference (constructive and destructive). I think it's really cool how waves can be amplified and demolished to theoretically nothing by changing distance or putting the waves in or out of source. Also, how the concept applies to slit interference and creates the minimas and maximas."

"I enjoy learning about electric fields, because it makes the most sense to me and I feel as if it has a lot of 'real world' applictions"

"Think the most interesting topic we have covered this far, for me personally anyways, would have to be how light travels through a diverging and converging lens, with the ray tracings being my main center of focus. They made no sense whatever in my mind starting out, but once I figured out how to use the ruler properly and determine where each line went, based on whether it was converging or diverging, I experienced the greatest sense of satisfaction at having discovered something completely new and foreign to me."

"I thought total internal reflection was really interesting, I think it's really cool why diamonds are so awesome."

"The most interesting subject covered in this midterms is optics. Luckily it is interesting to me because I work at an optometrist office and will be going to optometrist school. This information helps me understand corrective optics. I have also had to wear corrective lenses since grade school so this stuff is relevant to my vision accuracy."

Online reading assignment: interesting Midterm 1 physics topics

Physics 205A, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

131016-interesting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/10315550646/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Physics 205A students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7179392/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[Responses have been edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Student responses
Sections 70854, 70855, 73320

acceleration, momentum, impulse
displacement, angularvelocity, freebodydiagrams
graphs, projectilemotion, Newtonslaws
kineticenergy, potentialenergy Newtonslaws
projectilemotion, Newtonslaws, tension
work, displacement, kinematics
forces, velocity, displacement
kinematics, friction, velocity, trigonometry
abstract, interesting, understandable
velocity, vectors, elasticity
Newtonslaws
kinematics, Newtonslaws, friction
Newtonslaws
velocity, speed, projectilemotion
projectilemotion, kinematics, inertia
vectors, forces, Newtonslaws
notthoroughlycovered
circularmotion friction forces
crazy confusing cool
forces, Newtonslaws, friction
work, tension, forces
mindblowing, enlightening, commonsense
Newtonslaws, circularmotion,
whoa, ahh, huh
Newtonslaws, static friction, velocity
forces work kineticenergy potentialenergy projectilemotion
freefall friction
projectilemotion, Newtonslaws, displacement vectors
acceleration friction circularmotion
velocity, projectilemotion, gravity
centripetalforce, Newtonslaws, velocity speed

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"static friction, because it can vary depending on the magnitude of the force being applied to it up to a certain maximum value"

"I like free fall motion problems because it makes so much sense to me."

"It's interesting how a graph can speak a thousand words."

"Circular Motion, it's very interesting how Newton's second law works."

"I thought projectile motion was the most interesting because of the fact that the horizontal velocity was independent of vertical velocity."

"I liked the pulley and the work problems, the concepts intrigued me."

"The amount of forces that can act upon a stationary object is what I found interesting because it can be more complicated than one might think."

"I found projectile motion to be the most interesting subject covered in this section. While every concept covered in this lecture is very much relatable to every-day life, projectile motion stands out from among the rest due to my love of sports, particularly football. Now I can't help but think of what the variables every time I a pass thrown or a field goal kicked on Sundays."

"The forces acting on an object. You never really think about everything that goes on at all times."

"the most interesting part for me is the problems that relate to real life situations"

"Rocket car, explosion was awesome and I loved that we could prove that he couldn't make it"

"U.C.M. I just thought it was cool"

"rocket car because explosion"

"the lab we did that calculated the velocity of a car to tip because I was in an accident that involved this."

"I really enjoyed learning about velocity (and average speed). To me this was the most interesting section because I hadn't really thought about it much before taking this class."

"I thought the conservation of energy was most interesting. I like how it explains that energy is never created or destroyed, but just transferred. We were able to apply these laws to many situations in class to help further see how this applies in real life."

"Newtons laws are interesting because I'm always thought about what they refer to its interesting because I can just see thought process he had and how it makes sense"

"Uniform circular motion. because i can know explain to a three year old in way too much detail why she feels like she is getting pulled of the round-a-bout at the playground."

"I feel the kinetic and static friction forces were ones that I was interested in because I never really thought about how static force is stronger than kinetic force."

"Friction forces, just the way they work is interesting."

"Circular motion because I've never really thought about the concept of it before."

"Pulleys, I'm interesting in the simple machines."

"I really enjoyed studying friction and the corresponding lab. I do a lot of rock climbing and the exercise we did in lab was extremely relevant to climbing equipment. Pretty much everything is great though, as it's relevant to everything in the whole world, duh, that's physics I guess."

"I find the problems, like the frog jumping from a surface and the quiz questions where an object is thrown to be most interesting. This can both be solved with mathematical equations as well as thought out logically to support the numerical value from calculations."

"Difference between displacement and total distance traveled."

"The most interesting subject in this midterm is newtons laws because they are pretty straight forward and not very hard to understand"

"I really found the subject that dealt with Newton's Laws to be the most interesting because it helped me understand that most other subjects involve these laws."

"However the most interesting yet also sometimes confusing subject covered in this midterm is newtons laws. I personally found newtons laws interesting because they are three basic laws which have a huge impact on multiple things and make physics easier. For example we can calculate the weight or a book on a table and by newtons first law we know that the normal force that the table is exerting on the book is equal to the weight force."

"Objects in free fall are interesting to me because the concepts for that motion were challenging to wrap my head around."

"I like the idea of friction mainly because I couldn't get it at first, but once I got it it was all good. Static friction force will be in any direction that keeps an object from starting to slide. Kinetic friction will again act in any direction as to stop the moving object from sliding. I get it."

"Projectile motion"

"Uniform Circular Motion is interesting to me because I have friends that are into 'drifting' and because I (used to) enjoy roller coasters. This was also one of the concepts that I found most difficult."

Online reading assignment question: interesting Midterm 1 astronomy topics

Astronomy 210, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

131013-midterm1interesting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/10262386263/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Astronomy 210 students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/7167509/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[Responses have been edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Student responses
Sections 70158, 70160

telescopes, planets, stars
retrograde telescopes astronomers
moonphases starwheels constellations
moonphases, telescopes, Pluto
planets moonphases stars
constellations planets sun
UV, telescopes, wavelengths
history, prograde retrograde
moonphases telescopes planets
greenhouse, planetsurface, classification
moonphases, eclipses, Mars
planets, moon, epicycles
telescopes, moonphases
planets, cycles, telescopes
planets moonphases sun
moonphases, telescopes, planets
convection, prograde retrograde, moonphases
moonphases, eclipses, planets
telescopepowers planets sun
constellations, moonphases
moonphases, planets, starwheels
moonphases, revolution, rotation
moonphases, seasons, telescopefunding
eclipses solarflares aurorae
eclipses, firstprinciples, telescopes
exhilarating scientific inspiring
moonphases, sun, planets
alluring, provoking, overwhelming
moonphases, telescopes, astronomers
moonphases, light, wavelengths, telescopes
light moonphases telescopes
challenging, interesting, useful
astronomers moonphases
telescopepowers, energylevels, spectra continuous absorption emission
moonphases, suncycles, planets orbits
eclipses, moonphases, planetfinding
moonphases, eclipses, spectra telescopes
moon, light, gravity
starcharts, moonphases, eclipses
planetfinding useful, fun, fascinating moonphases informative, interesting, practical
eclipses, umbra, retrograde
zodiac constellations,
retrograde, moonphases, telescopes
lightpollution, telescopes, firstprinciples
new, fun, educational
constellations, astronomers, moonphases
neonlights eclipses constellations
moonphases, starwheels, sun telescopes
laws astronomers suncycles seasons
moonphases, telescopepowers, eclipses
moonphases, telescopes, eclipses
moonphases, zodiac, eclipses
eclipses, moon, telescopes
new, educational, exciting
moonphases, telescopes, history
suncycles, eclipses, telescopes

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"the planets because i am interested in studying the ones in our solar system to learn about new ones that we discover outside our system"

"I liked learning about telescopes because I want to buy one. Now I know what to consider when buying."

"I personally thought that the most interesting subject was of the moon phases. I was in awe on how the moon rises and sets at different times according to what face it was in. This was interesting to me because every night I look for the moon and wondered why it was not out. Now I know!"

"Learning about why Pluto was no longer a planet was most interesting to me. I always wondered why and this gave me my answer. I also liked learning the different moon phases because now I can look up at the sky and know what phase the moon is."

"planets because ive always been interested"

"I like the planets the most, all through grade school that's what has always interested me the most in science"

"Learning the different powers of telescopes was interesting's. I knew practically nothing about telescopes so learning anything about them is interesting."

"I found the moons phases interesting because I used to not know its names, and neither could I identify them. now, I find myself showing off to my friends and describing the phases to the ladies(wink)"

"I found the subject on telescopes most interesting. Between the in class activity when we went to see the telescopes on campus and all of the in class discussions I learned a lot what goes into getting a good view of the sky. I want my own telescope now!"

"I think telescopes and their use/positioning are probably the most interesting thing we've covered so far because it's a very tangible thing. It's more fact and practice than theory and guessing."

"Moon phases because knowing the phase of the moon by looking at its shape was really interesting to learn."

"everything, just want to know"

"That's a difficult thing to say because I find it all interesting."

"Learning about the moon phases was interesting for me because I was never really taught about the moon. I love looking at the moon every night, yet came to find that I really didn't know much about it."

"Planets because I'm interested in their atmospheres and what they're like on their surface."

"planets, because i have never had a class that has gone in depth on the planets and what they are made of."

"i think it is interesting how we are able to tell when the moon will rise and set depending on what phase it is in. im not sure how we do it. its magic"

"I think the moon phases are the most interesting because I never knew anything about them before. I find myself being a total nerd sometimes and telling them what kind of moon is in the sky when I can see it."

"I found working on and answering questions on the telescope most interesting to me."

"I think constellations were the most interesting for me because I like stars"

"The planets. I've always been interested in planets there so cool and neat, there all composed of many different elements, there all different and have MANY different features about them. My favorite planet is Mars."

"The moon phases was probably the most interesting subject covered because now that I understand how it works it seems so easy to distinguish what type of moon phase every night has. I even brag to my roommate about it."

"Telescope funding projects are the most interesting material covered on the midterm. It's interesting that you can determine whether a project should be funded with a e/m radiation spectrum."

"I am most interested in the information we covered on the sun. I read an article in National Geographic about the risks associated with solar flares knocking out the grid and I liked learning the science behind that. Also I my major is Earth Science with a concentration in climate change so I am interested in the climate changes in the past that have been associated with sunspots."

"I think all of the material covered for the midterm was very interesting. The astronomers were cool and smart guys. i also liked learning about light and using the star wheel to read the constellations. The subject matter interested me in particular because i had mostly no knowledge of what i know now."

"I think the overall history of astronomy we covered was interesting. It's eye opening how ancient astronomers had certain theories but those theories were disproved years later by those willing to think outside the box using improved technology, and also how their truth weren't always well received."

"Phases of the moon is interesting, i just think the different phases of the moon and it changes it's interesting"

"The most interesting subject we covered in this class so far was learning about eclipses. I found this interesting because the sun and the moon are objects we see almost every day so it is interesting to learn about how they work and why they look a certain way at different times of the day and different times of the year."

"The most interesting to me s the moon phases. Ive always loved looking at the moon. I found this interesting because ive never known why the moon changes its shape or when it changes."

"I find the idea of light wavelengths somewhat interesting. the idea that various types of wavelengths are surrounding us but invisible to our eye is quite interesting."

"I really liked learning about the moon phases. Every time I see the moon now I try to figure out what phase it is in and when it will be at its highest point."

"as basic as it may be, i still feel as though star wheels are the most fun/interesting thing. being able to hands on just look at different alignments though different dates is pretty cool."

"I really liked learning about the astronomers because I had heard of them but never really read up on exactly how they contributed to astronomy."

"I would say either learning about how telescopes work or learning about how the sun behaves."

"The most interesting subject was learning about the how the planets move around and the certain patterns."

"I have enjoyed learning about the moon and the different phases. I have been annoying everyone around me by always saying "Oh thats a waxing crescent!" or whatever phase it is."

"I think the phase of the moon and the timing us just so exciting. I live out in the country so it is ALWAYS so dark out there and my family and friends would just lay outside look at the stars. I have always enjoy looking at the sky at night time. And the next time I lay there and look at the stars I will blabber all about what you taught us :)"

"The radiation of the sun and what is truly in space. With all the rays that aren't able to be seen with our eyes and how we are able to detect it and understand its properties and placement in space."

"I enjoyed using and learning how to read the star charts. I like looking up at the stars all the time so its neat that I can point out which are which now and determine the month."

"The lunar and solar eclipses. I always thought they looked so beautiful, but was never sure how they occurred."

"I found the review questions on the morning stars vs. evening stars very interesting. I came to the conclusion the the outer heliocentric orbiting planets can only be viewed at night and the inner heliocentric orbiting planets (Mercury and Venus) can be viewed during the day."

"the theories ."

"telescopes"

"I found the telescopes the most interesting subject covered in this mid term because it was the easiest for me to understand."

"I enjoyed learning about the telescopes. I never knew there was so much to look for when purchasing a telescope."

"moon phases because i think its the one subject that i 100% understand and am confident in."

"I think eclipses are interesting because I've seen them before but haven't really understood them, so now that I do I can appreciate the beauty of them more."

"I have really enjoyed covering the moon phases. I mostly think it is because I actually understand that there are different phases, and I know when the phases occur and when they rise, are overhead, and set."

"I think learning about the astronomers and their different ideas and ways of thinking are interesting"

"Moon phases because the moon phase can determine what time it is at night"

"The most interesting subject for me that will be covered is eclipses. I enjoyed learning about the different types of elipses and the patterns of them in class."

"The most interesting for me was learning about the zodiac signs and how you get assigned your's. Also to know that everyone's zodiac sign is pretty much wrong. I had a lot of fun telling my friends what their Zodiac sign actually was."

"Eclipses and moon phases are really interesting to me even though they're not my strongest subjects on this midterm."

"I found that learning how to use the star wheel is not only really cool but will also be really useful later! I also really enjoyed learning the different moon phases as well as their positions in the sky at different times."

"The moon cycles because I enjoy being able to look at the moon and show off in front of my roommates. ;)"

"To me, learning about the parts of a telescope was the most interesting. I didn't know there were so many aspects when it came to finding the best telescope referring to its resolving power, light gathering power, and magnification."

Online reading assignment question: interesting Midterm 1 physics topics

Physics 205B Reading assignment 14, spring semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

130324Phys205B-interesting-c
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/8586572081/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Physics 205B students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6522906/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[Responses have been edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Student responses
Section 30882

polarization, sound , wavelength
lenses, images, electromagnetism
microscopes, TIR, interference
lasers, polarization, opticalinstruments
intuitivelyconfusingconcepts
hyperopia, reflection, incidentangle
telescopes, microscopes
raytracings, refraction, telescopes
testcharges, telescopes, interference
optics, electricfields, diffraction
refraction, lenses, microscopes
microscopes, interference, diffraction
polarization, TIR, interference
electricpotentialenergy, polarization, raytracings
lenses, lenses, lenses
myopia, electricfields, reflection
onlysortofdangerous
microscopes, refraction, polarization,

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"I think the polarization of light is pretty interesting. I always wondered how polarized sunglasses worked."

"I liked studying images because it was interesting to learn how they work."

"I thought it was fascinating that, with corrective lenses, I'm looking at a virtual image"

"I find it interesting how the lenses in a microscope work."

"i thought that corrective optics was a cool subject because it was cool distinguishing the difference between real and virtual images,"

"Corrective optics, it just really blew my mind that everything I see through my contacts from 0.33m and on is a virtual image."

"how polarization works and how two perpendicular polarizations will not allow light to pass through"

"electrons and how the act"

"Refraction, I like the concept of total internal reflection. Floating under the surface of a pool, it can be almost a perfect mirror if the surface is calm enough."

"Test charges. I am not sure why it is interesting to me."

"Corrective optics because I never knew what went into correcting your eye sight"

"the refraction and reflection material was interesting since i could some how related to chemistry also the microscopes and lenses helped me visualize how a microscope works."

"The most interesting thing we have covered this semester to me has been the microscope. I have recently started using microscopes in biology and it is interesting to see how they actually function."

"I love snell's law because I see it in action all the time. I see glass in a whole new light."

"ray tracings because i love to draw ray tracings."

"It was interesting how the lens created different images, for cameras, eyes, glasses, telescopes and microscopes."

"I enjoyed learning about reflection because it really made sense to me and I could relate to it because I have witnessed it in my life on a regular basis."

"I like that we are just now getting into electricity. It seems most applicable and even a little intuitive."

"I really like refraction. Because I am a marine biology major, I spend a lot of time looking into water, so now I understand the physics behind the distortion of things in the water!"

Online reading assignment question: interesting Midterm 1 astronomy topics

Astronomy 210 Reading Assignment 7, spring semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

130317-midterm1interesting-hue
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/8565624381/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Astronomy 210 students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6494187/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[Responses have been edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Student responses
Sections 30674, 30676

complex mindbending
moonphases, Newtonslaws, quantummechanics
telescopes, moon, eclipses
resolution, magnitudes, blueshift
starwheel
moonphases, starwheel, retrograde
quantummechanics, telescopes, eclipses
moon, telescopes, wavelength
moonphases stars eclipses
stars planets colors
moonphases, starwheel, planethunting
moonphases, starwheel, zodiacsigns
constellations rotation revolution
starwheel, history, telescopes
eclipses, light, lightpollution
parallax, Copernicanism, geocentrism
weird, interesting, similar
spectra, eclipses, Dopplereffect
planethunting, eclipses, moonphases
moonphases, cycles, starcharts
moonphases, magnitudes, time
parallax, eclipses, moonphases
moonphases, wavelengths, retrograde
starwheel, moonphases
corona, eclipse, astronomy
astronomy, photosphere, mainsequence
eclipses quantummechanics, ellipses
starwheel, eclipses, moonphases
eclipses, moonphases, rotation
retrograde, astronomers, telescopes
starwheel, eclipses, moonphases
moonphases, starwheel, zodiacsigns
moonphases, parallax, penumbra, parsecs
moonphases, spectra, telescopes
gammarays, xrays, UV, visiblelight, IR radio telescopes, BioDome, spacestation, Galileanmoons
moonphases, eclipses, zodiacsigns
moonphases, telescopes, starsizes
parallax, zenith, retrograde
starwheel, suncycles, moonphases
redshift blueshift sunspots spectralclasses OBAFGKM
interesting, cool, applicable
starwheel, zodiacsigns, history, moonphases
moonphases, sun, eclipses

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"The most interesting subject is being able to tell where a star will be at what time of day or night. I like that because I can know what is what."

"I found the quantum leaps the most interesting, because of how the electrons can change from one energy state to another within an atom. Understanding how the electrons work in an atom makes it easier to understand chemical reactions."

"The most interesting subject covered in the midterm will have to be telescopes because these are the actual instruments we use to view the night sky and learn about it. Besides being one of the things we learn about that we can physically touch"

"Telescopes and Moon motions."

"The history of astronomy."

"the star wheel is the most interesting subject covered in this midterm. Since it is cool how you could you could see all the constellations."

"I enjoyed learning about quantum leaps. I don't know why but I thought it was pretty cool"

"the telescopes because i always wondered about thm"

"earth's motion and cycles, it was interesting learning about rotation, precession, revolution, and tilt."

"moon phases because I have always been fascinated by the moon"

"The fact that you can have a giant ass telescope doesn't mean you get better resolving power compared to two medium telescopes placed X distance from each other. This is cool because you think bigger is always better, but in the case, it isn't."

"I found the moon phases to be interesting because I now can look into the sky at night and identify the phase of the moon. I enjoyed using the star finder with different times and months to find constellations. I also enjoyed identifying dimmer/brighter stars, the size, and the illumination because it's a simple procedure and fun to be able to find differences in the stars."

"Prolly when we talked about the different constellations for a day, looking at them on the starwheel was cool because a little with what we know about the constellations we can spot them in the sky."

"I really liked learning about the starwheels and how they work. It was fun to line up the date and time of my birthday to see that I was actually born under a different horoscope."

"I really enjoyed learning about eclipses and doing the in-class activities where would determine when or where a certain planet would be visible in the sky. It really helped me to get a better picture of our solar system and how it works on a spatial level."

"I found the history of the development of astronomy interesting. I've always liked history, but I never really knew how many of the theories in astronomy had developed. Getting the background information on the astronomers helps me better understand their theories and relate them to my own personal life."

"probably stars and their brightness because know i am able to tell which are hotter and more visible."

"Star chart, because I always wanted to learn about constellations and where they were positioned in the sky"

"Probably eclipses because they are so rare, but also because I understand how they work now."

"absolute and apparent magnitude because I never thought or knew that stars were brighter or dimmer they all just looked the same until you learn about it and the different colors also....cooool :)"

"Moon phases cause now I can look at moon and know what's going on"

"Eclipses--learning about the way the moons tilted orbit makes this occurrence rare is really neat. Learning about the moon in general is cool because it has such a profound effect on the planet in the form of tides."

"I really liked learning about the light spectrum and deciding what to send up into space, because it was something that I really understood."

"the moon fazes because it's interesting to me that the moon changes due to rotation"

"moon phases and eclipses. I thought the moon phases was interesting because I see the moon so often but it was cool to learn some good information about something seen so often. And the eclipses were interesting because now when I witness one, I'll understand it completely, like where the sun is, and if I'm in the umbra or penumbra."

"I suppose I don't know that it will be on the midterm, but I enjoyed gaining an understanding (officially) of the vastness of our solar system, galaxy, and universe. Putting distances into perspective can only help in gaining a better ability to grasp our place in space."

"using the star wheel , just because I can use it almost every night, I can apply to real life citations"

"i thought it was interesting reading and learning about all the old theories some of the astronomers had and how we came to where we are now with astronomy."

"The people who made the discoveries we know today. Without them it would be tougher to understand how every works and how everything looks in the sky. I like to know who helped us as a society reach this point in our knowledge."

"moon phases"

"I personally found the star wheel to be very interesting. I loved being able to look up at the sky and know what would be seen and certain month, time, and direction."

"Waves and the reasons some are meant to be in space and others meant to be in desserts."

"I found the modern high tech telescopes to be interesting, how they can adjust to the twinkle of a star by actively adjusting its mirrors."

"The distance of stars, their absolute magnitudes, and the infinite possibilities that coincide with these origins of life. all of the stuff about the moon, i just found it interesting to learn the different names for the phases and how it revolves around earth."

"I think the star sizes and temperatures are the one most interesting things because its the one thing i feel i understand."

"I found retrograde interesting because I didn't know that the planets that earth overlaps during its revolution causes them to look like they are going backwards before going forward again."

"The most interesting to me is the moon phases because I find it really interesting how the moon changes through its cycle during a month."

"Binary stars. It's interesting to me because through goldilocks binary stars they can monitor orbits and orbital periods to figure out the mass of the stars. It seems like the method could use some serious improvement. Mass = volume x density. They are only guessing it seems and trying to sound like they're not."

"how to navigate by looking at the night sky, it's interesting because I can use it in my life."

"Most interesting subject in my opinion is probably the various astronomers/scientists and their varying views; what was proved right and wrong."

"The phases of the moon is most interesting to me probably because I have the greatest understanding of it among everything else."

Online reading assignment: interesting Midterm 1 astronomy topics

Astronomy 210 Reading Assignment 7 fall semester 2012
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

121014-Astr210Midterm1interestingwordle
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/8087973049/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Wordle.net tag cloud for interesting topics covered in Midterm 1, generated by responses from Astronomy 210 students at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5860316/Untitled).

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.

List at least three words describing interesting subjects covered in class (up through this midterm). (Graded for completion.)

[These raw responses were subsequently edited to consolidate related common subjects.]

Student responses
Sections 70158, 70160

"Astonomers Telescopes Seasons"

"Moon phases, stars, Doppler Effect"

"month, gravity, ellipse"

"Moon phases star brightness paralax"

"Telescopes, orbits, and stars"

"Electron energy levels - fleas!! Star Brightness the numbers were backwards. - meant brightest and + meant dimmest! Dopler Effect: nnnnnnneeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaoooowwwww"

"Aristotle, Ptolemy, Newton"

"doppler effect luminosity absolute magnitude"

"Stars, Cycles, Light"

"???"

"moon phases, luminosity, sunspots"

"Light, the Sun, constalations"

"moon phases Telescopes Stars/brightness classification"

"stars, sun, rotations."

"telescopes, star finding, evening stars, moon cycles"

"Startastic, informative, and fun to learn."

"Moon phases, eclipses, retrograde!"

"stars, eclipse, telescope"

"Moon phases, history, revolution"

"telescopes, moon phases, starwheel stuff !"

"sun, eclipses, moon phases"

"Moon Phases, zodiac constellation, Refractors and Reflectors"

"Interesting subjects covered in this class include, but not limited to, are the motion of plants, motion of the moon, and phases of the moon."

"astrology, money, hawaii, life, love, education, perspective, infinity"

"Retrograde, absolute magnitude, adaptive optics"

"Moon, phases, constellations."

"Chapter 2 all about the stars."

"Learning to use the starwheel, learning why retrograde motion happens (or appears to), learning why solar eclipses and lunar eclipses happen."

"Moon phase, light transparency, and optical telescopes."

"Telescopes Stars/constellations Star wheel"

"zenith, radiation, telescopes"

"Sun spots, constellations, star charts"

"Luminosity, sun-spots, eclipse"

"telescope resolution, sunspots, spectra"

"electromagnetic spectrum, moon phases, eclipse"

"moon phases eclipses telescopes"

"Eclipse, moon phases, Stars"

"electro magnetic radiation"

"moon phases star wheel the star rotations"

"electrons corona lunar eclipse"

Describe your most interesting subject, and briefly explain why this subject interested you. (Graded for completion.)

The following are all of the student responses to this question, verbatim and unedited.

"not sure if it was the second or third chapter i found to be interesting i know i dont know exactly all of it but it amazing how the concept of our universe started of as one idea and has changed throughout the time."

"I really enjoyed the section on the moon's phases, etc. I had always wondered exactly how that all worked."

"Moon phases are the most interesting because it gives me a new sense of why the moon looks the way it does on any given night."

"My favorite section had to be the study of the telescopes and how the sizes of the lens, mirror, and length of the telescope determined each characteristics that the telescope contains"

"I think learning about telescopes is pretty cool because I'm really interested in photography and learning about lenses, and its pretty much the same thing as telescopes."

"Electron energy levels were cool, mostly because they reminded me of fleas jumping up and down! Odd I know but it stuck!"

"The astronomers. I am a history nerd so i enjoyed learning the early history of astronomy. doppler effect because i saw the episode of big bang theory and now understand it"

"I found it extremely interesting learning about cycles - cycles of the moons, cycles of the planets, cycles of the sun. How everything is dependent on everything else."

"My most interesting subject covered in the midterm is moon phases. I find this interesting because out of all the subjects, this is the only one that doesn't confuse me."

"Moon phases because it's such an interesting way of noting the passage of time over the course of a year."

"I like moon phases because when ever im out with my friends i feel like a smarty because i know what phase the moon is in."

"Moon phases were the most interesting for me, i never really thought of how the different moon phases occur and when they rise and set."

"Definitely the telescopes and the sun!! I've always been curious about them so it was fascinating to learn more."

"Star finding because i always lay out at night and look at stars even when i was little never knew which one was which."

"The most interesting subject covered in this midterm is the star wheel because its interesting to see what constellations are visible along different horizons and different times."

"I really like moon phases, and anything to do with the moon because I think it's beautiful and very interesting because it doesn't give off it's own light."

"Learning how to determine relative distance of stars i found interesting."

"The moon phases. I always knew there was a reason behind it but it's nice to understand and predict moon phases and timing."

"I truly liked learning about the moon phases because everytime I look at the moon now I call out the different phases with my girlfriend!"

"Learning about telescope powers and how telescopes work to provide views of stars and outer space."

"It made more sense to me than other things we learned so I enjoyed learning about it."

"I personally enjoyed learning about the moon phases because when I see the moon every night I light to call out what type of moon it is!"

"I found telescopes to be an interesting subject. I never knew how reflecting telescopes worked, along with the different type of telescopes."

"I found every class very interesting. I cannot easily order my favorites, because I try to find something positive and unique in everything. While school is absolute misery for me, I think your class has been very interactive. Getting to know my classmates has been AWESOME. I love people, why wouldn't we all engage?"

"Sun . Im just amazed with how Sun function and all that mass that is so critical for Earth."

"I thought that adaptive optics telescopes were interesting because i never knew that there where telescopes that are attached to computers which continuously change the telescope's optics so that they can get a nice clear picture."

"The moon phases. I enjoy looking up at the sky and looking at the moon and the stars and knowing more about what I am looking at."

"The constellations. I always try to look at the constellations in the sky because I think it interesting how they decided to put the stars together in there unique shapes."

"The most interesting thing covered on this midterm was the different moon phases. Before this class I did not know what the different phases were called or why they occurred. So I was happy to learn."

"I think the moon phases are the most interesting subject because I liked learning about how the time of day corresponds to the moon phase when it is highest overhead."

"I found the phases of the moon the most interesting for me. I am ashamed to say I never knew the different phases of the moon & I now have a sense of pride learning about them."

"Telescopes are what i find most interesting because before this class i wouldnt have been able to tell you what telescope would be the better buy and now if i know certain information like the mirror diameter,etc i can tell what one is the better telescope"

"telescopes, the difference between each one and their qualities was interesting"

"I think the most interesting thing was the constellations and the different movements on the earth because I never understood their relationship before."

"I really like the topic of sun spots. i think the whole miso soup illustration was very clever. and its just cool to know how the sun works."

"how multiple telescopes can be used together to create a larger telescope. I think this is interesting because it's something i didn't think about prior to learning about them"

"I enjoyed learning so much about telescopes, how they work and what scientists can explore with their aid (for example, the first light in the universe)."

"i think the most interesting subject we covered was moon phases. I think this was most interesting because its cool to know. makes you seem smarter than your friends."

"When we went over different types and kinds of stars. Learning about the sizes and the temperatures of the stars was very interesting to me."

"I still thing that the moon phases are interesting . I've been watching out for them lately and what times each phases appear overhead in the sky."

"the moon phase because it has always been a mystery to me and my mom would always seem to know a lot of stuff about the moon - but now I know more than her :)"

"planetary motion was interesting though confusing"