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Pedagogical representation of mass functions with LEGO and their origin
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Kautsch, Stefan J., Veras, Dimitri and Hansotia, Kyle K. (2021) Pedagogical representation of mass functions with LEGO and their origin. European Journal of Physics, 42 (3). 035605. doi:10.1088/1361-6404/abe75c ISSN 1361-6404.
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/abe75c
Abstract
We promote the teaching of mass functions as an integral part of an interdisciplinary science education. Mass functions characterize the frequency distributions of objects with different masses on all cosmic scales. We intend to enhance experiential learning of this concept with a creative LEGO brick experiment for a diverse student audience. To our surprise, the LEGO mass function is not only qualitatively but also quantitatively comparable to mass functions found across the Universe. We also discuss the relation between gravitation and mass distributions as a possible explanation for the continuity of the universal mass function.
Item Type: | Journal Article | |||||||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics | |||||||||
SWORD Depositor: | Library Publications Router | |||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Standards of mass , Mass (Physics) , Mass (Physics) -- Experiments, Astronomy -- Computer simulation , Stars -- Initial mass function , LEGO toys | |||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | European Journal of Physics | |||||||||
Publisher: | IOP Publishing | |||||||||
ISSN: | 1361-6404 | |||||||||
Official Date: | 13 April 2021 | |||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 42 | |||||||||
Number: | 3 | |||||||||
Article Number: | 035605 | |||||||||
DOI: | 10.1088/1361-6404/abe75c | |||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | |||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | |||||||||
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): | "This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication/published in European Journal of Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/abe75c | |||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | |||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 19 November 2021 | |||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 13 April 2022 | |||||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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