In this experiment, we were investigating the theoretical concept of single and double slit interference by changing multiple factors. In each both the single and the double slit interference was based on the basic equations of single and double slit interference. In each experiment, we changed the length of the of the slit (the d in the double slit diffraction, and the a in the single slit diffraction) and each of their wavelengths to see impact of the central bright fringe.We hypothesized that as the slit spacing increased the location of the bright fringe would decrease and as the wavelength increased the bright fringe would also decrease. We used a laser and pointed it through single and double slits so which would then show a series of single and double slits. We kept the distance from the laser source to the flat surface the laser pointed at the same. With the equations given in the introduction slide, we would solve for theta which would then be used to find the length of the central bright fringe. Based on the equations and our experiments, we were able to conclude that our hypothesis was correct and it matched the theoretical concepts that our equation stated. All of our measurements were nearly identical which made sense because we were in a controlled experimental environment where there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to form any errors.

The Brazil Nut Effect is a phenomenon that occurs in many different situations. It happens when a container of granular particles are shaken, and the larger particles rise to the surface. This phenomenon has various applications, such as in the manufacturing and shipping of granular products, where an even distribution of particles is desired. We test a model that describes the relationship between the frequency of vibration and the time taken for a larger particle to rise, and we were unable to confirm nor reject the model.

Aerodynamic Transitions Between Turbulent and Laminar Flow for Various Geometric Shapes

Luke Blomberg, Woohyeok Jang, Sean Lansdverk and Mattvey Maslyanchuk
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

We tested different aerodynamic objects in a wind tunnel to study the drag coefficients of different geometric shapes.

Theoretically, the drag coefficient for any object should be constant, however, in experimentation we found that, especially at

low wind speeds under 10 m/s, the coefficient of drag does not appear to be constant but fluctuating. In order to quantitatively

analyze these fluctuations we recorded Reynolds number with turbulent flow transition phase at low laminar flow and found

that our original equation for drag fails and the coefficient of drag appears to vary. Further at wind speeds below 10 m/s the

shapes remain in turbulent wind flow and the coefficient for drag mirrors the complex of these interplaying fluid dynamics.

The Great Black Hole Rodeo: Lassoing Runaways with CNNS

Angela Bridges and Tilly Baker
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

Since the invention of the charge-coupled device and the ability for astronomers to collect data remotely, the rate of data

collection has quickly outpaced the rate of data analysis. In addition, large-scale surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

(SDSS) have produced petabytes of data for the astronomy community to sort through. Our project posits that machine learning

can be adapted to assist in identifying features of interest in historical observations. In February of 2023, Pieter van Dokkum et

al. published a paper in which they identified a candidate runaway supermassive black hole (106–109 M☉) that could be

identified by a linear feature. Using a model developed from the pre-trained convolutional neural network VGG-19, which was

trained on tens of thousands of daily images, we apply the lower, more abstract layers in an attempt to identify a second image

of the feature that the model has never seen before in a set of other observations.

Experimental Tests of Wheeler's Theory of Inductance in Multilayer Coils

Colin Taylor
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

Wheeler’s equations for calculating the induction of a multilayered solenoid have been interpreted many times in many

different ways. To Determine just how accurate Wheeler’s equation really is, a theoretical calculation was made based off of

Wheelers original equation from the 1928 paper “Simple inductance formulas for radio coils” and a test coil. The theoretical

calculation was then compared to data from an experiment using a Maxwell Bridge and the same test coil and compared the

theoretical calculation. Our experimental results differ from Wheeler's theory by a factor of 10^6

Electromagnetic Induction of a Magnet in Free-Fall Through a Solenoid

Henry Pham, Jonathan Lee, Matt Kahuka and Ryan Handran
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

We study the electromotive potential induced in a solenoid by a magnet in gravitational free-fall through the solenoid using

nonlinear Levenberg-Marquardt methods to simultaneously fit all parameters in a simple strong gravity model of the magnet's

motion to the experimental data. We find that the simple strong gravity model approximates the gross features of the

experimental data, but that the residual variance of the best-fit strong gravity model leaves approximately 25% of the variance

in the data unexplained.

An Anomalous Broken Symmetry of Magnetic Induction

Giovanni Dominguez
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

This study examines the effects of Faraday’s Law on a simple resistor circuit to understand how nonconservative electric fields

allow for path dependent potential differences. This study focused on examining design symmetry as to rule out geometrical

asymmetries as sources of error. The findings of this research project show that there can exist differing voltage drops across

same valued resistors even when measuring across the same node. Furthermore, the findings reject the null hypothesis for the

phase difference between the voltage drops across the resistors at frequencies between 450 kHz and 2MHz with 95%

confidence.

Space-Time Dependence of Heat Conduction in a Metals: Theoretical and Computational Comparisons with

Experiment

Yaxi Hu, Mpano Bangwaneza, Yahya Ouchchen
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

We investigate the space and time dependence of heat conduction in a steel rod. The rod was subjected to fixed thermal

boundary conditions, and the spatial temperature distributions along the rod at different intervals were recorded after a

designated period of 19 minutes. We utilized SolidWorks and Ansys to conduct Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

simulations of our experiment. The theoretical simulations of our experiments agree to within 95% confidence over all

experimental trials, with marginal statistical evidence of additional heat loss in the experiment not accounted for by the

assumed computational boundary conditions.

Time-Dependence of Microscopic Surface Contact Domain Formation and its Affects on Friction

Brendon Schultz
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

The theoretical model of friction that we know and use today, defines frictional force as though it is only proportional to load.

However, experiments indicate that this is far from true. Early experiments with dry-sliding friction found minute fluctuations

in frictional force at low speeds, which appeared to indicate a relationship between frictional force and contact time.

Subsequent experiments with dry-sliding friction revealed a 177% increase in frictional force over a 30-minute contact duration

determined with 95% confidence. It was hypothesized that this behavior may be related to an increase in contact area at the

microscopic level induced by a phenomenon known as creep. To examine this, I’ve measured fluctuations in light intensity as

passed through two transparent materials in which areas of least contact should diminish the intensity as light is allowed to

scatter. Preliminary results of this experiment indicate with 95% confidence that the intensity of monochromatic light as

measured with a photodiode will decrease by 0.00054 – 0.0024% with varying load applied within 2mm of the point of

observation. This change indicates that the real area of contact at this point, may decrease under prolonged stress.

Dynamic Electrical Response of a PZT/Brass Piezoelectric Sandwich to Rapid Mechanical Impulse

Kylie Prescott and Karen Bachour
Department of Physics, Edmonds College, Lynnwood WA USA

Abstract

The study aims to unravel the complex relationship between the applied kinetic energy and the resulting electrical output,

shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and potential optimization strategies. The research methodology involves

experimental characterization of different piezoelectric materials under varying levels of kinetic energy. Mechanical stimuli,

such as impact was applied to the materials while monitoring their voltage output. The generated electrical output is then

quantified and recorded using voltage meters. The findings of this experiment reveal an exponential relationship V=

(2.79)exp(0.826KE) (R2=0.98) between the applied kinetic energy (KE) and the electrical response (V) of piezoelectric

materials. Higher levels of kinetic energy result in increased electrical output, demonstrating the direct impact of mechanical

forces on the material's performance.

As a computer science major the problem of modern encryption systems being vulnerable to attack by quantum computers is

extremely interesting. The math underlying the algorithms can be “solved” by a mature quantum computer using Shor’s

algorithm in logarithmic time, as opposed to the exponential time required by classical computers. By harnessing the power of

quantum information systems, we can guarantee that no observer is intercepting our communications due to the no-cloning

property of quantum states and mitigate the risk of future decryption. In the event of an observer, significantly more errors will

occur during key transmission ensuring detection. At what point does this become indistinguishable from information loss due

to distance of signal transmission? I was able to determine that a 5mW laser was capable of transmitting a stable signal up to at

least 3m with a 100% laser detection rate and 56% valid base pairs rate.