In this work we describe a multimedia tutorial on the Casimir effect, integrating some freely available internet resources with originally developed interactive illustrations. The tutorial, appropriate for high school and university undergraduate students, provides them with a comprehensive overview on different aspects (historical, physical, technological) of the phenomenon. In particular, a qualitative explanation of the Casimir attraction force is given by interactively illustrating some classical analogs, such as the “attraction” between ships lying close together, or among beads strung on a vibrating wire. Furthermore, this tutorial permits to explore the relevance of Casimir effect both in technological (nano-machines) and in biological (e.g., red blood cells stacking) nano-world.
The Casimir effect: A multimedia interactive tutorial
BONANNO, Assunta Carmela;SAPIA P.
2011-01-01
Abstract
In this work we describe a multimedia tutorial on the Casimir effect, integrating some freely available internet resources with originally developed interactive illustrations. The tutorial, appropriate for high school and university undergraduate students, provides them with a comprehensive overview on different aspects (historical, physical, technological) of the phenomenon. In particular, a qualitative explanation of the Casimir attraction force is given by interactively illustrating some classical analogs, such as the “attraction” between ships lying close together, or among beads strung on a vibrating wire. Furthermore, this tutorial permits to explore the relevance of Casimir effect both in technological (nano-machines) and in biological (e.g., red blood cells stacking) nano-world.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
