Students' guide Feb 1996 - Durham Universityastro.dur.ac.uk/~nm/pubhtml/stomp/student.doc · Web viewA student's guide to the SToMP materials SToMP release 4 © 2001 University

Student's Handbook

A student's guide to the SToMP materials

SToMP release 4

© 2001 University of Surrey

SToMPTM Student's HandbookNotes on the use of the SToMP (Software Teaching of Modular Physics)

SToMP ProjectDept of Physics,

University of Surrey,Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

Tel. (+44) (0)1483 689414Fax (+44) (0)1483 686781

[email protected]

www.stomp/ac/uk

Contents

Chapter 1: Before you start

Chapter 2: How to use SToMP

Chapter 3: Tools available in SToMP

Chapter 4: Changing default settings

Appendix 1: Module contents

Appendix 2: Windows training

SToMP is a trademark of the University of Surrey

SToMP handbook 2 © 2001 University of Surrey

1 Before you startIf you are using SToMP as part of your University course, then you can purchase a CD-ROM containing the SToMP materials for use on your machine at home. Before using SToMP it is necessary to install it on your machine. If you have the CD version, then please follow the instructions below. Note that the standard CD version cannot be installed for use on a network or with multiple machines.

Minimum Hardware Requirements for CD version· 486DX33, SVGA 800x600, 256 colours using small fonts.· Win 95/98/NT/2000.· 60Mb Hard Disk space.· 32Mb RAM.

Hard Disk space requiredSToMP does not run exclusively off the CD. A minimum of 8 Mbytes disk space is required, but if the system components of SToMP are run from your local hard disk as recommended, this will require 60 Mbytes. SToMP includes several video clips which can optionally be installed on your hard disk; you might want to do this if you find that the videos take an unreasonably long time to start up and run from your CD. The videos will need a further 270 Mbytes of hard disk space.

InstallationTo install SToMP, do the following:

· Place the SToMP CD ROM in the reader. If installation does not start automatically, use Explorer or My Computer to open the CD ROM drive and double click on install.exe.

· Choose which of the three setup options you wish to install.· Select the destination folder and the start-menu group in which you wish the software to be

installed.· SToMP will now install itself on to your system. This may take a few minutes, depending on the

speed of your hardware and the options you have chosen.

After installation, a start menu window will appear (not Win NT) and you can start a SToMP module by double-clicking on the icon for that module. Alternatively, use the Windows “Start” menu. By default, SToMP is set up in a “SToMP Courseware” sub-menu of the Programs section.

If the CD is being read from a remote system then the CD reader must be mapped, so that its path starts with a drive letter.

If you wish to change modules at any time when using the package, you will need first to exit SToMP. This is achieved by closing the SToMP floating toolbar at the top right-hand corner of the screen. Wait until the “Please wait, unloading SToMP” message has disappeared before starting the next module (by single or double clicking on its icon).

The video support provided by different machines varies widely. Some videos might not view correctly using the SToMP video viewer due to it being unable to take advantage of the drivers on your machine. In this case you can elect to use the default video viewer of your machine.

(i) From the floating toolbar menu bar choose “MCM/ Video viewer select”. (ii) Select the viewer you want and press the “Apply” button.

Read the “readme” release notes for details of the latest features.


2 How to use SToMPThere is a great wealth of information contained within each SToMP module and a number of tools have been provided to help you find the materials you need. This chapter suggests how best to use the system, and introduces some of the data-handling tools and other features described in chapter 3.

2.1. WindowsIf you are not familiar with the Windows graphical user interface, then please refer to Appendix 1 for a quick tour. You need to be familiar with the principles of using a mouse, using scroll bars and menus, and resizing and re-positioning of windows on the screen.

Basic management of Windows is important in SToMP. You will soon notice that each document opens in a separate window. Proper windows management is essential for the efficient use of the graphical user interface. It will also help you to avoid a "crash": Windows can become unstable if too many applications are running at the same time. Three steps to combat this problem are:

· close down each window when you have finished with it.· ensure that no windows are hidden behind other windows (and don't maximize them!)· remember that a minimized window is still running, and does not save memory.

SToMP provides a convenient "one-click" button to close down individual windows: the "exit" button. Note that the exit button on the main Toolbar at the top right of the screen is

used to close down SToMP at the end of the session.

2.2. Getting Started with SToMP


Unless you are running Win NT, placing the SToMP CD ROM in the reader should launch a start menu window from which you can simply double click on the module you require.

Alternatively, once SToMP is installed, and with the CD ROM in the reader, you can launch the package from the Windows “Start” menu.

By default, SToMP is set up as a new sub-menu choice in the Programs section. Select SToMP

Courseware, and a list of modules will then appear. Simply select the required module and after a few moments the Contents page for that module will open. As with a textbook, more material is provided with SToMP than you are likely to use in your syllabus in one year.

NOTE: When any text document opens, there may be a short delay before the coloured links are displayed. A document that contains many links (like the Contents page) might take several seconds before the links display.


2.3. Navigation and the SToMP styleBefore moving from the Contents page to the main teaching units, it is important that you first work through Unit 0.1. This unit introduces the navigation concepts of SToMP. Further details of the navigation and data-handling tools are given later in this guide and in Unit 0.2.

There are over 120 hours of teaching materials in SToMP, so it is important that you have some understanding of the navigation tools available to you, and also that you have an appreciation of the sorts of materials you are likely to find.

2.3.1. Overview of resourcesBriefly, the SToMP materials consist of the following:

· Instructional Scripts· Interactive Activities, Simulations and Derivations· Pictures, Audio clips, Video· Chapters of commercially available textbooks· Databook, biographies and other background resources· Data-handling tools· Navigation, browsing and indexing tools

2.3.2. Basic NavigationThe navigation tools in SToMP offer the following functionality:

· Follow hyperlinks (2.3.3)· Go directly to any document ("Select a Document" box; 2.3.4)· Return to a previously opened document ("History" tool; 2.3.5)· Search for keywords (2.4)

All these are described in detail in Unit 0.1 and Unit 0.2 in each SToMP module.

2.3.3. Hypertext Links and Script StyleEach script provides a linear path through a particular subject, and should take between 45 and 90 minutes of study time to complete, depending upon the topic.

The scripts have a common style which employs underlined coloured text hyperlinks. The default colour of these links is blue, and simply clicking on the underlined word(s) will activate the link. Graphics and icons are frequently used in conjunction with these links to indicate their status:

1. If a hyperlink is preceded by an icon (see list immediately below), then the link is intended to be a main part of the script. Such links typically point to large pictures, simulations, or other media directly related to the argument of the theory at the time.

2. A hyperlink occurring in the body of a paragraph is intended to indicate a link to an item of related interest, and is not intended to be a main part of the theory at that point.

An exception to this rule is in the textbook chapters where SToMP icons are not used. However, the context of the link is generally an indication of its degree of importance.

The icons used for the main hyperlinks indicate the type of document at the end of the link:

Activity: Simulations, experiments and other interactive models.


Audio document. Note that additional hardware (a sound card) is normally required for good quality audio.

Video document. A software video player "Video for Windows" is used. Additional hardware (a sound card) is needed to play the soundtracks. Not all videos have soundtracks.

Indicates a link to another script or a piece of text.

Picture, diagram or other static graphic document.

Indicates that the destination is an in-depth derivation or a complicated mathematical analysis of the current subject matter. These are held in separate documents in order not to disrupt the argument of the physics in the main script.

Indicates a text question. There are two styles of question in the CD version: those with the answer given directly below and the "Self Test", which you can use to ascertain your understanding of a unit.

Indicates the answer to the text question. The answer is normally hidden from immediate view either behind a button-link or an "information" symbol.

Indicates an activity using the Graph Viewer to plot the curve of a mathematical expression.

Other icons which appear in the package include:

Indicates a link to a biography. Indicates a link to the databook.

Indicates a link to a textbook. Indicates a link to the glossary.

You will notice that each new document opens in a separate window. For this reason it is preferable to have a high resolution screen display. The minimum recommended display setup is 800x600 pixels with 256 colours. This resolution is fairly common nowadays, and should be comfortably visible on a 14" monitor. Please make sure that you use Small Fonts rather than Large Fonts. You should close windows that are no longer needed, and avoid maximizing windows on the screen.

Each unit normally finishes with a self-test, a summary and a series of links to other places. A list of equations and symbols for each unit is also available.


2.3.4. Select a Document BoxAny document within the SToMP material can be

accessed directly, that is, without having to re-trace a path through hyperlinks to get there. The "Select A Document" box provides a structured hierarchy for finding and launching any document. This box is opened by clicking on its icon in the toolbar.

On the left of the Select a Document Box is the logical hierarchy in which the documents are ordered. This structure is not the same as the directory structure on the hard disk, but represents a logical structure (in fact, most documents appear more than once in the structure, once under the Contents branch and once in the Files branch —see below). Lower level hierarchies are denoted by a "+" sign in the folder icons and these can be opened by double-clicking on the relevant folder. On the right are shown all documents associated with that level of the hierarchy. Any document can be opened by double-clicking on it in the Select a Document box.

The picture shows the two parallel structures which have been set up for finding the required documents. Firstly, documents are organised according to the Contents structure (i.e. Block and Unit). Secondly, under the Files hierarchy, the documents are ordered by media type (activities, pictures, text, video etc.).

2.3.5. HistoryThe History tool maintains a chronological list of all the documents visited in the current session. Clicking on this icon opens up the "History" box. Click on the name of the

document from the list that you want, then click on Follow Link. That document will then open again on the screen.

2.3.6. ActivitiesThe activities in SToMP (virtual laboratories, simulations of real-life experiments, etc.) have a

common toolbar directly below the menu bar and a typical example is shown here. The controls are (from left to right) Exit, Start, Pause, Stop, Link to main script, Link to introduction, Link to reference material, Parameters, Graph and Help. Additional buttons are available on some activities, and their function is described in the Help.

Where graphical output is available, the graph can be toggled on or off by clicking the graph button on the toolbar.


The links to the main script, introduction and reference materials allow you to start working at a simulation (e.g. by loading it through Select a Document) and to proceed from there to the theoretical material. (Activities accessed using the Demonstrations modules will only link to references in the SToMP scripts).

These controls can also be accessed via the Control or Options menu of the activity. You will see that, in most cases, you need to stop the model before altering any parameters. A timer is provided on a number of models in order to take approximate time measurements. Further information is normally available under the Help menu of each activity.

2.4. Other Navigation ToolsSo far, you have seen the hypertext facilities available for navigating around the SToMP materials, the History tool and the Select a Document box. In addition to these basic navigation tools, three other navigation facilities exist which provide the following functionality:

· Following "invisible" links to glossary words, physics terms and other items· Searching for the occurrence of a word within all text documents· Opening background documents associated with each script

These are described in Unit 0.2 in SToMP and outlined below.

2.4.1. Keyword LinksAs well as navigating along the pre-set paths of the blue button-links, it is possible to access documents by other means. All words related to Physics have been linked to glossary entries and other sections of the SToMP materials, but these are not made visible because there are so many of them. To activate these "hidden links", do the following:

· select the word on which you require further information· click once on the button on the script viewer toolbar

Alternatively, open the Action menu and select Follow Link.Note: In the selection of a single word, it is essential that leading and trailing blank spaces are not included.

Clicking on a word will select the word if it is not part of a coloured hyperlink.

If no links are available on the selected text, a message will appear saying "No links found". Click on the OK button to clear the message. If a single link is found, the document will be opened automatically. If more than one link is available for the selected text, then a dialogue box entitled "Results" will open, listing the documents which are related to that word. In this respect, links should be seen as synonymous with cross-references.

2.4.2. Searching whole paragraphsAnother feature is available which looks up every word within a selected body of text to see if keywords are included. This method is, of course, slower than the "Follow Link" method. To operate this facility, select some text and click on the Action menu followed by Show Links. The search will include word pairs, provided that the default option has not been changed.

2.4.3. Search for the occurrence of a word within all text documentsA search can be performed for documents containing a particular word (or words). After making a selection of text, click on the Action menu followed by Compute Links. The hypermedia system will then list other documents that contain the selected text.


This facility is a powerful tool for finding useful and related documents to which no suitable links already exist. A list of the 20 most likely documents will be displayed in the "Results" box and the appropriate document can then be chosen from the document descriptions. The documents are listed in order of the most frequent occurrence of the selected text.

2.4.4. Background documentsA number of background resources are associated with each text document. These can be accessed from any script or text document, and will include:

Symbols used in the Document The Databook contentsEquations used in the Document Training Material contentsText Book contents

To list the background documents associated with a particular document, click on the spade icon on the button-bar of the script window without having selected any text. Alternatively, click on the Action menu followed by Follow Link. A list of documents will be displayed in the "Results" box.

2.4.5. Access from outside a text documentThe Selection entry box can be used to provide the anchor for hidden links without having to find the required word in a script. It can also be used to start a search for the occurrence

of any word within the text of the documents available (using "Compute Links").

To use Selection, click on its icon on the Floating Toolbar and type in the required word or text, avoiding leading and trailing spaces. Follow Link will look for hidden links associated with a single word, Show Links should be used for multiple words (e.g. Simple Harmonic Motion) and Compute Links will look for the occurrence of the word within all text documents.

2.4.6. Keyword BrowserA browser is available from the floating toolbar that

lists all keywords defined within SToMP. The list includes the names of all Physicists for whom a biography exists and the names of the chemical elements, as well as many Physics words.

The list is alphabetical. A word can be selected by typing it into the upper box, or by clicking on it in the lower box. Clicking on the Follow Link button will open the destination document for that "hidden" link. If more than one destination document exists, then the "Results" box will open.


2.5. Other Resources2.5.1. TextbooksRelevant chapters of commercially available textbooks are included to give an alternative view of the subject matter. The page numbers are given next to the chapter headings to provide a cross-reference to a resource which can be used away from the computer. The textbooks have been chosen partly on the basis of publishers' consent. The following are currently available:Waves and Vibrations

H.J.Pain, "The Physics of Vibrations and Waves" Chapters 1-5 and 7 (John Wiley)H.C. Ohanian, "Physics" Chapters 15 and 16 (W.W. Norton)

Measurement and Uncertainty

R.Barlow, "Statistics" Chapters 2-4, 6-8 (John Wiley)J.R. Taylor, "An Introduction to Error Analysis" Chapters 5,6,9,12 (University Science Books)

Optics (under development)

Serway, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" Chapters 35 and 36 (Saunders College Publishing)

2.5.2. GlossaryA glossary of physics words is provided within SToMP. Each entry is the destination of a "hidden" link which can be accessed from any document at any time. A list of glossary headings is available via the Select a Document Box, and also as a background document to each script (see 2.4.4).

2.5.3. DatabookA databook is available in which constants, formulae and other data can be found. Again, these data are linked from the main teaching material via keyword links or the Select a Document Box.

2.5.4. BiographiesBiographical notes on many famous Physicists have been included in SToMP. Most of the biographies are accompanied by portraits. The biographies can be opened by following links from the scientists' names or via the Select a Document Box.


3 Tools available in SToMP3.1. OverviewThis chapter gives details of the tools available in SToMP and how to use them. Each is covered separately, and where tools can be used in combination, this is indicated.

SToMP is much more than merely a "book on the screen". Quite apart from the audio-visual capability of the windowing environment on a computer, a number of other features have been implemented that take advantage of the multi-tasking graphical-user interface.

The different media within SToMP have been integrated in such a way that information can be transferred easily between the applications. For example, it is possible to copy numeric data from the spreadsheet or column manipulator and paste them into the graphing tool. (Refer to Section 3.7). Also, mathematical expressions can be copied from the scripts and pasted into the word processor, where they can be edited using the equation editor.

SToMP should not be seen as a direct replacement for traditional "hands-on" laboratory work. However, it is possible to simulate laboratory experiments in SToMP and then to perform an authentic analysis of the data that have been gathered. The Demonstrations modules are ideal for this purpose. When you do this, you should think critically about how the computer simulates the real-life experiment.

3.2. Graph ViewerThe Graph Viewer can be used to plot graphs of functions of one or two variables or scatterplots of X-Y data prepared in the Table Manipulator or Column Manipulator, or

obtained from interactive models. From the Graph menu, select one of the options to create a new graph. Then select the Edit menu followed by Edit Graph Data... to change the parameters. For an XY-Scatterplot, a table opens into which you can type your data, or paste them from the clipboard. For other types of graph, the dialogue box contains appropriate fields to enter. Equations must be input in a pascal-like syntax. Information on the format that this string must take can be found by clicking on Help followed by Contents on the Graph Viewer menu bar, then selecting the green text "Function of one variable", followed by "Equation with Symbols".

Graphs can be superimposed. This is useful, for example, for drawing regression lines against experimental data.

Graphs can be copied to a word-processor as follows: From the Edit menu of the graph viewer, select Copy Graph or Copy Selection as Bitmap. The latter requires an area to be defined on the graph (by dragging). The selected area or whole graph will be copied into the clipboard. After copying the graph, go to your word processor, and paste the graph in the normal way.

The Graph Viewer and Table Manipulator can be used together to analyse the data from some of the activities in SToMP. The results can be easily included within laboratory notes prepared in, for example, "WordPad".

3.3. Table ManipulatorThe Table Manipulator is a simple spreadsheet. Data and formulae can be inserted into the cells of the spreadsheet. If the data are to be fed into the Graph Viewer, then the columns

should contain X-data and Y-data, plus Y-error and X-error if required. Any number of columns or rows can be defined (Table menu under Table Size).


The Table Manipulator provides the functions needed for basic laboratory data collection and some data handling. For more sophisticated data-handling, you should copy your data and paste them into the Column Manipulator. More sophisticated spreadsheets (such as Excel) are available with greater functionality, but which consume more computer resources and may thus slow down the speed of other applications.

3.4. Column ManipulatorThe Column Manipulator or Vector Calculator can be used to perform calculations upon whole columns of data or for vector calculations. It operates in a similar way to a calculator,

but on a complete column of data rather than on individual cells. The functionality of the Column Manipulator is particularly useful for the analysis of experimental data. It can also be used to calculate single values.

3.5. WordPadTo launch the default word-processor, click on the blue Pen icon on the SToMP Toolbar.

“WordPad” is a simple word-processor packaged with Windows. It will accept graphics and equations as well as text, and can therefore be used for taking notes while running SToMP. “WordPad” is simple to use, and help on using "WordPad" can be found, as with most Windows applications, under the Help menu. Documents written in " WordPad " can be imported into a more sophisticated word-processor if necessary.

Currently, it is not possible to copy equations or symbols at the same time as plain text. The solution is to copy the equation or symbol separately. Note also that graphics and equations cannot be pasted using the Ctrl-V key combination (see 3.6); instead, it is necessary to select the Edit menu, followed by Paste Special. Work is underway to remedy this technical problem.

Copyright has been obtained from third-parties for a number of text documents, pictures and other media and these may not be copied or printed in any form. As a rule, only material from the instructional scripts (the main units) should be copied. The copyright rules for the copying of digitally-stored data are similar to the rules for photocopying.

3.6. Copying and PastingAn important aspect of integration is the ability to take information from one application and use it in another. "Copying and pasting" allows the user to take advantage of such a feature. Graphs, equations, text and pictures can be copied and pasted into a word-processor as necessary. Copying and pasting is a feature of Windows which is strongly encouraged in SToMP.

The procedure for copying and pasting is simple. Nearly all Windows applications have a menu item named Edit under which will appear at least one of Copy, Cut and Paste. Copy is used to copy information from the source for later inclusion elsewhere. Cut is used to remove information form its source for later inclusion elsewhere. Paste is used to include the information gathered through either of the above into another document or application.

The main teaching scripts within SToMP cannot be altered, so only the Copy option is available. Conversely, all three operations are available from within “WordPad”.

Copying and Pasting is easy. The procedure is as follows:1. Select the text to be copied by dragging over it with the mouse.2. Select the Edit menu followed by the Copy command.3. Go to the target application (word processor, for example).


4. Select the Edit menu and select the Paste command. If this does not have the desired results, try using Paste Special.

The process of copying and pasting makes use of a Windows item called the "clipboard". Anything which is cut or copied is stored in the clipboard until it is used in a paste operation or until something else is copied. Only one item may be stored in the clipboard at a time.

You should note that different paste options may be available. Simply using the Paste function may not have the desired effect. A Paste Special option will often be available, allowing you to select the object type before pasting. This is particularly important with graphical objects in “WordPad”

NOTE: The SToMP materials are protected by copyright. As a general rule, anything which is not part of the main SToMP instructional scripts should not be copied or printed. Any copying should be acknowledged. The laws are similar to those concerning photocopying.

Examples of copying and pasting within SToMP· Equations, text, symbols and diagrams can be copied from the instructional scripts to be

quoted in a "WordPad" document.

· Graphs produced in the Graph Viewer can be copied and pasted into a word-processor.

· Numerical data from the Table Manipulator can be copied into the Graph Viewer (using Edit followed by Paste data as XY scatterplot) or into "WordPad "

3.7. Periodic TableAn interactive periodic table is included in SToMP. This resource gives details of all the known chemical elements, including historical data, isotopes, and radioactive decay

information. The on-line Help for "Periodic Table" is comprehensive and well-structured. "Periodic Table" can be accessed from the SToMP Toolbar. "Periodic Table" is the copyright property of SMI Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

3.8. Windows CalculatorThe MS-Windows calculator can also be accessed from the Toolbar. It has two modes: standard and scientific. Most of the functions you are likely to use can be found by switching

to scientific mode (under the View menu).

3.9. The SToMP Testing toolAssessed tests as well as self-tests are available on the CD version of SToMP. Self-tests give useful feedback upon the completion of each topic. The assessed tests require a network in order to operate, and are only available if automated testing is used at your institution.


4 Changing Default Settings4.1. Single click/double click button optionThere is an option for users to revert to the traditional SToMP style of double-click hyperlinks:

Note that the change will only apply to documents that you open (or re-open) AFTER pressing the Apply button.

An advantage of using double-clicked links is that the text viewer then allows a word to be selected by double clicking on it.

4.2. “Button-link” underline in a text document*

(i) To change the current document, select Underline Buttons from the Options menu.

(ii) To change all documents, change the current document, and then select Options/Viewer Settings/Save Viewer Settings.

4.3 Video viewer selectionThe video support provided by different machines varies widely. Some videos might not view correctly using the SToMP video viewer due to it being unable to take advantage of the drivers on your machine. In this case you can elect to use the default video viewer of your machine.

(ii) From the floating toolbar menu bar choose “MCM/ Video viewer select”.

(ii) Select the viewer you want and press the “Apply” button.

4.4. Text, background and “button-link” colour*

(i) To change these colours in the current document, select Colours from the Options menu; select the attribute you wish to change and then select the colour; press OK.

(ii) To change all documents, change the current document, and then select Options/Viewer Settings/Save Viewer Settings.

4.5. Zoom settings*

(i) To change the size of the text in the current document, select Set Zoom from the Options menu; select the degree of magnification you require; press OK.

(iii) To change all documents, change the current document, and then select Options/Viewer Settings/Save Viewer Settings.


1. From the floating toolbar menu select MCM/Click mode select.

2. Select the mode you want and press the Apply button.

4.6. Colours in interactive applications*

(i) From the floating toolbar press the Colour palette button, or select Tools/Palette from the menu.

(ii) Select the item you wish to change (e.g. graph background application line) by clicking on it in the mimic or by selecting in from the drop-down box at the top right; then select the colour you want it to be.

(iii) When you have made the changes you want, press the Apply button.

(iv) If you have an application open when you do this, the colours will update automatically if it is a recently written application; older applications will require you to select View/Update colours from the menu.

4.7. SToMP floating toolbar*

A few of the buttons on the toolbar can be user-configured. Select Tools/Configure toolbar from the menu, then press the Help button to find out how to change the program controlled by the buttons. Only four items can be changed in this way: the two calculators, the text editor and the spreadsheet.

4.8. Changing your SToMP passwordThe SToMP assessed tests make use of a database to enabled students on courses to take the tests at appropriate times. Each student taking a test has to be registered with this database and this will be done by your course administrator. A password will be assigned to you when your are registered, and you will have to enter this password whenever you take an assessed test. You can change your password by means of a change password utility that is available from the floating toolbar under the Tools menu item.

Enter your current password and press the Log-on button. If you are recognised you will be invited to enter your new password (twice - for your own safety) and then you can press the Change password button. A message will be displayed to confirm the change in password.

* This change will not be preserved between different modules, and will apply only to one class of document (e.g. scripts, glossary, biographies, data book, text books). If you have installed the CD with the minimum disk usage option, the change will not be preserved between uses of the same module.


Appendix 1 - Module ContentsWaves and Vibrations

Block 1 OscillationsUnit 1.1 Simple oscillating systemsUnit 1.2 Basic equation of SHMUnit 1.3 SHM and circular motionUnit 1.3A Lissajous figuresUnit 1.4 Energy interchange in SHMUnit 1.5 Analysis of three systemsUnit 1.5A Use of complex notationUnit 1.6 Damped SHMUnit 1.7 Light dampingUnit 1.8 Nonlinear oscillations

Block 2 Forced OscillationsUnit 2.1 Intro. to forced oscillations and resonanceUnit 2.1A Trigonometric analysisUnit 2.1B Trigonometric analysis (complex notation)Unit 2.1C Forced response and quality factorUnit 2.1D Power absorbed and the bandwidthUnit 2.2 Coupled oscillatorsUnit 2.2A Maths of the general case

Block 3 Introduction to WavesUnit 3.1 Basic wave conceptsUnit 3.2 One dimensional wavesUnit 3.3 Energy and power of a waveUnit 3.4 Sound and the earUnit 3.5 The Doppler effectUnit 3.6 The wave equationUnit 3.7 Waves in various mediaUnit 3.8 Case study - microphones

Block 4 Combining WavesUnit 4.1 Superposition and simple interferenceUnit 4.2 BeatsUnit 4.3 An introduction to Fourier AnalysisUnit 4.4 Standing wavesUnit 4.5 Dispersive wavesUnit 4.6 Case study - musical instruments

Block 5 E.M. WavesUnit 5.1 Introduction to EM waves and photonsUnit 5.2 PolarisationUnit 5.3 Interference and diffraction. First ideas.Unit 5.4 InterferenceUnit 5.5 Single aperture diffractionUnit 5.6 Multiple aperture diffraction

Block 6 Matter wavesUnit 6.1 Introduction to matter wavesUnit 6.2 QuantisationUnit 6.3 The Schrödinger equationUnit 6.4 Wavepackets

Foundation unitsUnit F1 Rotational motionUnit F2 Electric circuitsUnit F3 Complex numbersUnit F4 VectorsUnit F5 Calculus


Measurement and UncertaintyBlock 1 Introduction

Unit 1.1 Units of measurementUnit 1.2 Handling numbers

Block 2 Types of uncertaintyUnit 2.1 General Introduction to uncertaintiesUnit 2.2 Working with uncertaintiesUnit 2.3 Summarising dataUnit 2.3A The mean & standard deviationUnit 2.4 Counting experimentsUnit 2.4A Gaussian & Poisson distributionsUnit 2.4B Chi squared & Student's t DistributionsUnit 2.5 Comparing the results of experimentsUnit 2.5A Combining data sets

Block 3 Combining uncertaintiesUnit 3.1 Propagating uncertainties in simple equationsUnit 3.1A Propagating uncertainties - formal treatmentUnit 3.2 The least squares principle

Block 4 Graphs and data analysisUnit 4.1 Graphical visualisationUnit 4.2 Fitting data to a straight lineUnit 4.3 The fitting of a quadratic curve

Block 5 Computational methodsUnit 5.1 Hardware limits to accuracyUnit 5.2 Hypothesis testingUnit 5.3 t and other testsUnit 5.4 Regression modelsUnit 5.5 Correlation and regression


Mechanics for Physicists(Units in italics are not available for July 2001 release)

Block 1 Forces and MotionUnit 1.1 Motion in one dimensionUnit 1.2 Relative motion in one dimensionUnit 1.3 Motion in more than one dimensionUnit 1.4 Mass, weight and momentumUnit 1.5 Forces in physicsUnit 1.6 Working with forcesUnit 1.7 Rotational motion

Block 2 Work, Energy and PowerUnit 2.1 Introduction to work, energy and powerUnit 2.2 Potential energy and energy conservationUnit 2.3 Force, potential and equilibrium

Block 3 Linear Momentum and CollisionsUnit 3.1 Impulses and momentumUnit 3.2 Collisions in one and two dimensions

Block 4 Rotational and Angular MomentumUnit 4.1 Rigid bodiesUnit 4.2 Rotational motion of rigid bodiesUnit 4.3 Calculation of moments of inertiaUnit 4.4 Rolling bodiesUnit 4.5 Gyroscopes

Block 5 Oscillatory MotionUnit 5.1 Simple oscillating systems and SHMUnit 5.2 SHM and circular motionUnit 5.3 Energy interchange in SHMUnit 5.4 A detailed analysis of three systemsUnit 5.4A Use of complex notationUnit 5.5 Damped SHMUnit 5.5A Light dampingUnit 5.6 Nonlinear oscillationsUnit 5.7 Intro. to forced oscillationsUnit 5.8 Trigonometric analysis

Block 6 Orbital MotionUnit 6.1 Newton’s and Kepler’s LawsUnit 6.2 Gravitational fields and potentialUnit 6.3 Fundamental particles


Optics (under development)(Units in italics are not available for July 2001 release)

Block 1 The Electromagnetic SpectrumUnit 1.1 Introduction to electromagnetic wavesUnit 1.2 Sources of electromagnetic wavesUnit 1.3 Electromagnetic wave phenomenaThemes Black body radiation, The photon, Line spectra, Lasers, Propagation of electromagnetic waves

Block 2 Ray OpticsUnit 2.1 ReflectionUnit 2.1A Reflection - Fermat's principle of least timeUnit 2.2 RefractionUnit 2.3 Image formation and lenses

Block 3 Wave OpticsUnit 3.1 PolarisationUnit 3.2 Interference and diffraction. First ideas.Unit 3.3 InterferenceUnit 3.4 Single aperture diffractionUnit 3.5 Multiple source diffractionUnit 3.6 Fourier optics

Block 4 Optical ApplicationsUnit 4.1 Detectors of lightUnit 4.2 Simple instrumentsUnit 4.3 The eyeUnit 4.4 The cameraUnit 4.5 TelescopesUnit 4.6 Optical microscopyUnit 4.7 Digital imagingUnit 4.8 Optoelectronics


Astronomy (under development) (Units in italics are not available for July 2001 release)

Block 1 Solar SystemUnit 1.1 Tour of the solar systemUnit 1.2 The sun as our starUnit 1.3 Inner planetsUnit 1.4 Outer planetsUnit 1.5 The earth moon systemUnit 1.6 Other bodiesUnit 1.7 Other planetary systemsUnit 1.8 The story of the solar systemUnit 1.9 Case Study - artificial satellites and space probes

Block 2 StarsUnit 2.1 The sun as a starUnit 2.2 Stellar position & motionUnit 2.3 Stellar magnitude & luminosityUnit 2.4 Spectral classificationUnit 2.5 Fundamental stellar properties and their interrelationUnit 2.6 Equilibrium of main sequence starsUnit 2.6A The thermodynamics of starsUnit 2.7 Stellar evolutionUnit 2.8 The nuclear physics of evolving starsUnit 2.9 White dwarfs, neutron stars and & black holesUnit 2.10 Pulsating starsUnit 2.11 Binary systemsUnit 2.12 Evolved close binary systemsUnit 2.13 Case studies

Block 3 GalaxiesUnit 3.1 Our galaxyUnit 3.2 Interstellar mediumUnit 3.2A Interstellar physicsUnit 3.4 Introductory galactic dynamicsUnit 3.5 Peculiar galaxiesUnit 3.6 Clustering of galaxies Theme 1 The dark matter problemTheme 2 Hubble’s lawTheme 3 Black holes

Block 4 CosmologyUnit 4.1 Astronomical distance ladderUnit 4.2 Early models of the universeUnit 4.3 Observational cosmologyUnit 4.4 Big bang: the standard modelUnit 4.4A Introduction to spacetime

Block 5 InstrumentationUnit 5.1 Methods of observationUnit 5.2 Optical telescopesUnit 5.3 Radio telescopesUnit 5.4 Space telescopesUnit 5.5 Modern techniques

Foundation unitsUnit F1 Kepler’s laws and planetary orbitsUnit F2 Astronomical quantitiesUnit F3 Spherical trigonometryUnit F4 Celestial co-ordinates & timeUnit F5 Electromagnetic radiationUnit F6 Spectroscopy


Waves Demonstrations (associated Waves & Vibrations unit in brackets)1 SimulationsA ballistic galvanometer (1.7) A chain of coupled masses (2.2)4 Doppler effect simulations (3.5) Electron diffraction simulation (6.1&6.4)Free Particle Simulation (6.3) Interference simulation (4.1)LC circuit simulation (1.1) LCR circuit simulation (1.6)4 Graphs of damped oscillators (1.6) Lissajous figures simulation (1.3A)Mass/spring oscillator (1.2) Microphone frequency response (3.8)6 Optical work bench simulations Piston creating longitudinal waves (3.1)8 Pendulum simulations Ripple tank simulation (block 5)3 Square well energy levels simulations (6.3) 28 String simulations (4.6)2 AnimationsAdding waves to form a standing wave (4.6) An animation of beats(4.2)Damped oscillator animation (1.6) Dispersion, phase and group velocities (4.5)Doppler effect for light (3.5) Dropping a circular hoop into water (3.3)Dropping a stone into water (3.1) Energy in a progressive wave (3.3)Energies in a LC circuit. (1.4) Energies in a mass/spring system. (1.4)Energies in a simple pendulum. (1.4) Forces on a damped oscillator. (1.6)Grandfather clock animation (2.1) Hooke's law animation (1.2)Io orbiting Jupiter (1.3) Longitudinal waves demonstration (4.6)Microphone schematics (3.8) Non-linear spring (1.8)Phase velocities animation (3.1) 3 Phasor diagrams (2.1A)Polarised EM waves (5.2) 13 Ripple tank animationsRotating phasor diagram (2.1A) Sine wave animation (3.2)SHM and circular motion (1.3) Standing wave animation (4.4)Wave motion on a string (3.1) Wave pulse on a string (3.2)3 ExamplesAddition of cos and sin waves (1.2) Argand diagram example (F3)Circular and simple harmonic motion (1.5A) Example of Coherence (5.3)3 Complex number arithmetic (unit F3) Decibel levels illustrated. (3.4)Description of the Davisson-Germer expt. (6.1) EM wave generation (5.2)3 Fourier Transforms (4.3) Gravity wave detector (3.7)Huygen's construction (5.3) Liquid crystal displays (5.2)Microwave polariser (5.2) Physiology of the human ear (3.4)Piano keyboard example (3.4) Thin film interference (5.4)Tuneable filter (2.1) Sine wave example (1.2)Time evolution of some functions (3.2) Tuning a guitar (3.7)3 Vectors examples(F4) Wave packets in free space (unit 6.4)4 DerivationsAdding sine waves (6.4) Beats between similar frequencies (4.2)Change in area of a square Differentiation as a limit. (F.5)Dispersion, phase and group velocities (4.5) Doppler effect derivation (3.5)Energy density of a string. (3.3) Finite square well (6.3)/Infinite square well (6.3)Interference derivation (4.1) SHM in an LC circuit (1.5)SHM in a mass/spring system (1.5) SHM in simple pendulum (1.5)Wave equation derivation (1D) (3.2) Standing wave derivation (4.4)Wave equation for solids liquids and gases(3.7) Wave equation for a stretched string.(3.7)5 VideosDoppler - aeroplane takeoff (3.5) Circular motion video (F1)Controlling the pitch of a trombone (4.8) Earthquake aftermath (3.3)Medical ultrasound (3.4) Raise the pitch with helium (3.7)Ride quality video (1.6) Example of some oscillators (1.1)Some common types of waves (3.1) Spreading oil video (5.4)Swinging on a swing.(2.1) Tacoma Narrows Bridge and an eyewitness account (2.1)Trapeze artists video (1.5) (silent) Two damped oscillators (1.6)Video of moth's wings. (5.4) Worn and new shock absorbers (1.6)


Appendix 2 - Using WindowsWhen you first start Windows, the screen will probably look something like this, depending on how the computer you are using has been set up:

In the picture here, some "shortcuts" have been created (by the network manager or your tutor) to other programs. These remain on the desktop all the time. At the bottom of the screen is the Task bar.

Using the MouseTo use Windows, you need to know how to "move", "click", or "drag" with the mouse. These terms will be explained in this guide.

If you have never used a mouse before, you should relax and hold it loosely in one hand with your palm resting on the main body of the mouse. Your thumb and little finger should touch the two sides. Your other fingers should naturally fall onto the buttons, and you should be able to click the buttons by just moving one finger. You will mainly use the left button, though you will probably make some use of the right button when you gain experience. Many mice have a middle button, which is usually configured to execute a “double-click” when pressed.

Move the mouse around and see how it affects the cursor on the screen. Try clicking on things (press and release the left button). You can't do any physical harm, so take the chance to try it out.

Starting up an applicationFrom Windows it is easy to start up an application such as a word-processor or a drawing package or SToMP. In this example, we shall start up the Windows Explorer, which enables us to find other documents and applications.


First, click on the Start button at the bottom left of the screen Now move the mouse (without pressing the mouse-buttons) so that the cursor moves up the screen to the Programs item. The first sub-menu will open automatically. Now move the cursor to the right, onto the sub-menu, and move down onto the item marked Windows Explorer. Now click the left mouse-button again, and the Explorer will open. The same operation can be performed by "dragging", that is, holding down the (left) mouse-button while you move the mouse.

Window ToolsThe diagram below shows what all the different symbols on the window are for. All windows have this basic format, regardless of what they contain, though some features may not be present on certain special windows.

The Title Bar tells you what the window is

called. A window can be moved by "dragging" the title bar: move the pointer onto the title bar, then, holding down the left mouse-button, move the mouse around. An outline of the window will move, and the window will be re-drawn in the new location when you release the button.

Clicking on the button makes the window fill the screen.

Clicking on the button makes the application close, and removes the window from the screen.

Clicking on the button will cause the window to be hidden from the screen. The program will still appear on the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen. It still uses the computer's resources as if it were visible, but merely saves screen space. Click on the Task Bar to restore it.

The size of the window is adjustable. As the mouse pointer crosses the edge of the window, it changes to a double-ended arrow. In this state, dragging can be used to re-size the window. It is intended that you resize using the bottom right corner of the window, but any border can be used.

The control menu box opens a menu with various options on it. You can resize and move the window using the cursor keys. Double clicking on the Control Menu box has the effect of closing the current window. The Control Menu of an item on the task bar can be opened by clicking on the right mouse button.

The scroll bars are used for moving within the current window, e.g. for moving down a text document. The size of the scroll bars within the scroll area indicate the proportion of the document that can currently be seen within the window.


Finally each window has a Menu Bar. The contents of the menu bar will depend upon the application.

MenusTo show the contents of a menu, hold the mouse button down when the cursor is over the menu text. You can move to the required menu item by "dragging" with the mouse. Alternatively, a single click-and-release on the left mouse button will open the menu and it will remain open.

Commonly-occurring menus are File Edit and Help. Most of the menu items are meant to be self-explanatory. Often you will find that a description of the function of each option shows up in the status bar along the bottom of a window, when you move the mouse cursor over the menu item. For further information, look under the Help menu for the option Contents, or Help Index. This will give you help on that application.

Menu items followed by an ellipsis (...) indicate that a dialogue box will open. The dialogue box will normally be used for entering further options or parameters such as file-names and text selections.

Managing your WindowsOne of the most important concepts of windows management is the ability to move and resize windows to wherever you want them on the screen. This is particularly true in SToMP, where many windows can open during a typical session. You need to learn to close windows that are no longer needed and to make best use of the screen space available to you.

When using SToMP, you will find that a number of windows will open on the screen. The top window is known as the "Active Window", and it is the one in which you are currently working. If you are not careful, it is easy to get lost in all the windows on the screen. SToMP automatically positions some windows on the screen but you will find that others need to be moved manually. There are three points which will assist you in keeping track of where you are, and which lead to good management of windows screen space:

Firstly, you should NOT maximise any window to fill the screen. The idea behind SToMP is that you can see more than one thing on the screen at a time. You will find that the text windows rarely need to be moved or resized.

Secondly, you should close any window which you no longer need. SToMP provides a convenient "one-click" button to do this (the "exit" button, 2.1), or click once on the close button on the top right of the window; documents can easily be re-opened by using the History tool (2.3.5). Leaving windows open is wasteful of computer memory, and will slow down the operation of your computer. If you are unlucky, it can cause the computer to crash.

Thirdly, an application which is minimized is still running! A minimised window (displayed only on the task bar) does not save any processing power, merely screen space. If you are running short of memory, then minimising windows will have no effect. You will need to close down the applications (click on the close button) completely.

Selecting, Copying and PastingA useful feature of windowing environments is the ability to take sections of one window and put them into another window. This is known as copying and pasting. Anything on the screen can normally be copied in this manner. As an example we will use text.


Before you can copy, you need to define what you want to copy. This is done by dragging the mouse cursor over the required item. The selection will then become highlighted (normally the colours are reversed) to indicate that it has been selected. You may also find that double-clicking can select individual words if you are selecting text.

Once you have defined your selection, activate the Copy command. This is normally done by opening the Edit menu and clicking on Copy. You will find that a common keyboard shortcut exists to do this: hold down the "Ctrl" key (Control) and press the letter C. This can all be performed with the left hand.

To paste the selection subsequently into another window, or to a different place in the same window, you first need to define where to put the selection. For pasting into a word-processor, click to position the cursor at the required point (the insertion point). Then select Paste from the Edit menu. Again, a keyboard shortcut exists, this time it is Ctrl+V. Pasting into a graphics application is similar, except there is normally no insertion point.

The computer stores the selection in the "Clipboard" in between copy and paste operations. Note that after copying, you can paste the same selection as many times as you wish. The option Cut also exists. This is similar to Copy, but will remove the selection from its source. This has the shortcut key Ctrl+X.

Further HelpFor further help under Windows 95/98, try clicking on the Help entry on the Task Bar. Alternatively ask someone - there are lots of people around who are more than willing to share their expertise.
