MSCE Physics case studies
MSCE Physics · Put your knowledge to work in context.
MSCE Physics is a state-level certification examination for candidates seeking to teach physics in Michigan secondary schools. It is designed for pre-service teachers completing an approved preparation program, career-changers adding a physics endorsement, and out-of-state educators pursuing Michigan certification. The MSCE Physics case studies are 5 cases and about 2,568 words.
1Timing a Pendulum to Determine g
Three learners in a school laboratory determine the acceleration of free fall using a simple pendulum. They suspend a steel bob of diameter 2.4 cm from a clamp stand and measure the length from the pivot to the centre of the bob as 0.850 m with a metre rule whose smallest division is 1 mm.
518 words, about 3 min2A Trolley That Will Not Accelerate as Predicted
A dynamics trolley of mass 0.800 kg is on a bench, connected by a string over a pulley to a hanging mass of 0.200 kg. The string is intended to be parallel to the bench.
491 words, about 2 min3Two Carts and a Doubtful Energy Loss
On a linear air track, cart A (mass 0.500 kg) is given a gentle push and passes a light gate at 0.600 m/s. It collides with cart B (mass 0.300 kg), which is initially at rest.
516 words, about 3 min4A Double-Slit Result That Does Not Match the Label
In a dark room, a learner uses a laser of wavelength 633 nm, a double slit with nominal separation 0.250 mm, and a screen 2.000 m from the slits. She measures the distance from the centre of the first bright fringe to the centre of the eleventh bright fringe as 48.0 mm using a 300 mm ruler with 1 mm divisions, held against the screen.
484 words, about 2 min5A Damaged Lamp, a Water Spill and Identical Results
During a Grade 12 practical on electrical resistance, 28 learners use 12 V dc power supplies (maximum output 5 A), 6 V 0.3 A filament lamps in holders, ammeters, voltmeters and loose copper connecting wires. One group connects a lamp directly across the 12 V supply; the lamp flashes brightly and the glass envelope cracks.
559 words, about 3 min