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The Department of Chemistry and Physics has a
range of equipment available for student instruction and research in various
areas of physics. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these resources to
supplement their coursework.
We are
currently (Fall 2008) installing a new, 14.5-in
undergraduate-research-level telescope at our Selu Observatory. As
student work from this telescope emerges it will be detailed here.
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We have
become heavily involved in geophysical
studies of the north polar ice cap using our OhmMapper capacitively
coupled
resistivity system and a ground penetrating radar system. Here, an RU physics major deploys the OhmMapper
on the sea ice just off the coast near Barrow, Alaska. More studies
in this area are planned.
Click the picture for a
higher-resolution version. |
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We have several telescopes on-campus
which students in our introductory and advanced Astronomy classes
use. In addition, students are encouraged to use these for research
projects such as studies of sunspot patterns, etc. These telescopes
include both 8-inch and 4-inch scopes, solar light-reduction and
hydrogen-alpha filters, and CCD (deep-sky objects) and digital
camera (planets, our moon, our sun [at right]) capabilities. |
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The observatory at Radford University's
380-acre Selu
Conservancy is available for student research projects. The
observatory is in the top of the "silo" next to the
research/multipurpose barn. The observatory houses a Quester-7
telescope mounted on a computer-controlled Losmandy G-11 mount. An
SBIG ST-5 CCD camera is attached to the telescope. |
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RU student using the OhmMapper
electrical resistivity subsurface mapper in the RU Wellfield area
for geophysical study of the local hydrology. Other geophysical
equipment that we have include a cesium vapor magnetometer, a Pulse
EKKO ground penetrating radar system, a Lacoste-Romberg gravimeter,
a "homemade" galvanic electrical resistivity array, metal
detectors, and seismic probes. |
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Our wind tunnel was built as a
Senior Honors Thesis project. The tunnel illustrates some of the
basic principles of fluid dynamics including Bernoulli's Principle,
laminar and turbulent flow and the Reynolds number.
Click the picture for a
higher-resolution version. |
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HRPT (High Resolution Picture
Transmission) antenna on the roof of Curie Hall (upper image). This antenna is
constantly tracking a constellation of weather satellites, with
particular emphasis on NOAA-15, NOAA-16 and NOAA-17. Images and data
from this and the GOES antenna below are used for student research
projects in environmental studies, satellite imagery, and various
programming projects.
The lower image shows
our GOES (Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellites) antenna, pointing at GOES-8 over the
equator at 70W longitude.
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Nathan Tatman (Physics
'06) Senior Honors Thesis
Matt Frazier (Physics '04)
Senior Honors Thesis
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A growing number of our students
are choosing to write a Senior Thesis in preparation for graduate
school. Topics are chosen and research/study schedules are planned
in conjunction with individual faculty members. Topics have included
theoretical subjects such as gravitational waves and applied
subjects such as wind tunnel design and studies. |
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