This is a sim of Crooke's famous 3 demonstrations from circa 1879 that turned a mysterious glow into the first known subatomic particle--the electron.
Monday, July 27, 2026
Photo-electric Effect Simulator for NCEA 3 Physics
This sim is for NCEA 3 AS91525 "Demonstrate Understanding of Modern Physics".
Again, the scale is WAAAAY off and this is just to highlight the process.
Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment Simulation
This is a sim developed for NCEA 2 Physics AS 91172 "Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics".
Note: this sim is for illustration purposes only! It is WAAAAAAY out of scale and vastly over-represents the proportion of alpha particles that were deflected or bounced back!
Friday, July 24, 2026
Level 2 Physics AS91172: "Demonstrate Understanding of Atomic and Nuclear Physics"
Here's the series of videos I've done for nuclear physics.
The first one deals with Rutherford's famous gold foil experiment and models of the atom that you'll need to identify and explain in your assessment.
Part 2 deals with radiation, radioactive decay types that you need to be able to explain (alpha, beta+, beta- and theta decay) and half-lives.
Friday, August 15, 2025
Circle Geometry NCEA 1.6 The Bare Minimum You Need to Know
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Interactive Circle Geometry Tutorial for Section 1.6
This interactive HTML page provides a comprehensive exploration of key circle geometry theorems relevant to curriculum section 1.6. Each theorem is presented in a separate applet with sliders for manipulation, enabling users to observe relationships dynamically. Detailed explanations, proofs, and prompts for deep reflection are included to foster a thorough understanding. Interact with the sliders to vary parameters and consider the guiding questions to enhance conceptual insight.
Theorem 1: Angle at the Center Equals Twice the Angle at the Circumference on the Same Arc
This theorem states that the angle subtended by an arc at the center of a circle is twice the angle subtended by the same arc at any point on the remaining circumference. This relationship arises from the properties of isosceles triangles formed by radii and the arc.
Proof: Consider a circle with center O and arc AB. Let C be a point on the circumference. Triangles OAC and OBC are isosceles with OA = OC and OB = OC (radii). The base angles are equal. The angle at O is the sum of angles in these triangles, which doubles the angle at C due to the exterior angle property in the formed triangles.
Deep Thinking Prompt: As you adjust the slider to change the arc length, observe how the central angle consistently remains twice the inscribed angle. Why does this hold even for minor or major arcs? What happens as the arc approaches 180 degrees?
Theorem 2: Angles in the Same Segment (Same Arc) Are Equal
Angles subtended by the same arc at different points on the circumference within the same segment are equal. This follows from the previous theorem, as each inscribed angle is half the central angle for the arc.
Proof: For arc AB, angles at C and D on the circumference are both half the angle at O, hence equal.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Move the slider to reposition one point. Why do the angles remain equal despite different positions? Consider what defines the 'same segment' and how this relates to arc measure.
Theorem 3: Cyclic Quadrilateral - Opposite Angles Are Supplementary
In a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle (cyclic), the sum of opposite angles is 180°. This is due to the angles being inscribed angles subtending opposite arcs, which sum to 360°.
Proof: Angles A and C subtend arcs BD and AC respectively. The full circle is 360°, so inscribed angles sum to half of that.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Adjust the slider to deform the quadrilateral. Why do opposite angles always sum to 180°? What if the quadrilateral becomes self-intersecting?
Theorem 4: Angle in a Semicircle Equals 90°
The angle subtended by a diameter at the circumference is always 90°. This is a special case of the inscribed angle theorem where the arc is 180°.
Proof: The central angle is 180°, so the inscribed angle is half, or 90°. Using isosceles triangles, the angles at the ends sum to 90° with the right angle.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Vary the point on the circumference. Why is the angle invariably 90°? Relate this to the Pythagorean theorem in the triangle formed.
Theorem 5: Radius Perpendicular to Tangent at the Point of Contact
The radius to the point of contact with a tangent is perpendicular to the tangent line. This ensures the shortest distance from center to tangent is the radius.
Proof: Assume otherwise; a shorter perpendicular would contradict the tangent definition. By Pythagorean theorem in the right triangle formed.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Adjust the tangent position. Why must the angle be 90°? Consider implications for reflection or circle-tangent constructions.
Theorem 6: Tangent-Chord Angle Equals the Angle in the Opposite Arc
The angle between a tangent and a chord equals the angle subtended by the chord in the alternate segment.
Proof: Using the perpendicular radius and isosceles triangle, angles match via alternate segment properties.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Change the chord position. Why are these angles equal? Explore connections to inscribed angles.
Theorem 7: Equal Radii Imply Isosceles Triangles; Equal Chords Imply Equal Arcs/Angles
All radii are equal, forming isosceles triangles with the center. Equal chords subtend equal arcs and thus equal central/inscribed angles.
Proof: For isosceles: Two sides are radii. For chords: Congruent triangles with center imply equal arcs.
Deep Thinking Prompt: Adjust chord lengths. Observe equal chords leading to equal arcs. Why do equal arcs imply equal angles? Consider symmetry.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Sunday, March 9, 2025
NCEA 2024 Calculus, Differentiation, How I'd Answer
Pretty meh exam this one. Nothing too shocking or easy or hard.
Not a lot of rates of change or parametric stuff this year.
Again I've tried to limit myself to what a Casio calculator can do, and to techniques taught at year 13. As is the case with most things in calculus, there's often many ways to get the right answer
Friday, March 7, 2025
2024 NCEA Calculus, Complex Numbers How I'd Answer
As always I limited myself to a trusty Casio calculator and used only techniques taught at year 13.
Some of these questions could have been answered differently using more advanced techniques.
I'm not a big fan of complex number analysis, I don't use them in my professional life as a mathematician.
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