This document provides an outline and examples from a talk on making connections between physics and biomedical science. The talk discusses a new interdisciplinary curriculum approach that applies physics concepts to biomedical applications. Pedagogical techniques used in the curriculum include group work, project-based learning, structured problem solving, and writing assignments. Several example physics problems are provided that could be applied to biomedical contexts, such as dimensional analysis, Newton's laws of motion, friction, work, energy, collisions, rotational motion, centrifugal force, torque, Young's modulus, shear modulus, pressure, thermal expansion, heat, and phase changes.

1. Making Connections between Physics
and Biomedical Science
The Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers, Abu Dhabi
March 14-16 2006
Presented by:
Prof. Mike Mikhaiel
Science Department
Passaic County Community College
USA

2. Outline of Talk
• The new approach
• Pedagogical techniques used
• Examples of Physics problems that could
apply to the Biomedical Applications.

3. The new approach
• A new approach to the college curriculum puts
emphasis on linking different subjects, therefore
making interdisciplinary connections.
• To help students make connections between
physics and biomedical sciences, I have developed
a curriculum that combines the two subjects.
Wherever possible, students immediately apply
the physics to biomedical applications

4. Outline of Talk
• The new approach
• Pedagogical techniques used
• Examples of Physics problems that could
apply to the Biomedical Applications.

5. Pedagogical techniques used
• Group work
• Project based learning
• Structured problem solving
• Writing to learn
• Focus on conceptual understanding

7. Physics 121 Students

8. Physics 121 Students

9. Forming groups starting with my
students’ spreadsheet ...
Akilli, Onur
Almurqaten, Murad
Awad, Morad
Ayyildiz, Mehmet
Henriquez, Lovita
Daud, Shady
Dowlatyari, Roham
Gomez, Garibaldy
Hollingsworth, Tracy
Khonako, Narina
Malik, Muhammad
Mejia, Jose
Mendoza, Ysaac
Nicolini, Rosa
Ijbara, Basema
Rudra, Liton
Hwang, DaEun
Wilton, Pena
Vakman, Mike
Vargas, Karl

10. Forming Groups
Rank and divide into thirds
Dowlatyari, Roham
Hollingsworth, Tracy
Khonako, Narina
Top 1/3 Mejia, Jose
Nicolini, Rosa
Mendoza, Ysaac
Ijbara, Basema
Akilli, Onur
Almurqaten, Murad
Middle Awad, Morad
1/3 Ayyildiz, Mehmet
Rudra, Liton
Hwang, DaEun
Vakman, Mike
Daud, Shady
Gomez, Garibaldy
Bottom Malik, Muhammad
1/3 Vargas, Karl
Henriquez, Lovita
Wilton, Pena

11. Forming Groups
Distribute the very top people, one to each
Group.
Dowlatyari, Roham
Hollingsworth, Tracy
Top Khonako, Narina
1/3 Mejia, Jose
Group 1
Nicolini, Rosa
Mendoza, Ysaac
Ijbara, Basema
Akilli, Onur
Almurqaten, Murad
Middle Awed, Morad
1/3 Ayyildiz, Mehmet
Rudra, Liton
Hwang, DaEun
Vakman, Mike
Daud, Shady Group 2
Bottom Gomez, Garibaldy
Malik, Muhammad
1/3 Vargas, Karl
Henriquez, Lovita
Wilton, Pena

12. Forming Groups
There will be six groups. Each group consists of
three or four students.
Dowlatyari, Roham Dowlatyari, Roham G1
Hollingsworth, Tracy G1
Top Khonako, Narina G1
1/3 Mejia, Jose Hollingsworth, Tracy G2
Nicolini, Rosa G2
Mendoza, Ysaac G2
Ijbara, Basema G3
Akilli, Onur G3
Almurqaten, Murad G3
Middle Awad, Morad G4
1/3 Ayyildiz, Mehmet
Rudra, Liton
G4
G4
Hwang, DaEun G5
Vakman, Mike G5
Daud, Shady G5
Bottom Gomez, Garibaldy G5
Malik, Muhammad G6
1/3 Vargas, Karl G6
Henriquez, Lovita G6
Wilton, Pena G6

13. Forming Groups
Fill in G1 and G2 groups
Dowlatyari, Roham Dowlatyari, Roham G1
Hollingsworth, Tracy Akilli,Onur G1
Khonako, Narina Daud,Shady G1
Top Mejia, Jose Hollingsworth, Tracy G2
1/3 Nicolini, Rosa
Mendoza, Ysaac
Almurqaten, Murad G2
Gomez, Garibaldy G2
Ijbara, Basema G3
Akilli, Onur G3
Almurqaten, Murad G3
Awad, Morad G4
Middle Ayyildiz, Mehmet G4
Rudra, Liton G4
1/3 Hwang, DaEun G5
Vakman, Mike G5
Daud, Shady G5
Gomez, Garibaldy G5
Bottom Malik, Muhammad G6
Vargas, Karl G6
1/3 Henriquez, Lovita G6
Wilton, Pena G6

14. Forming Groups
Fill in other groups the same way.
Dowlatyari, Roham Dowlatyari, Roham G1
Hollingsworth, Tracy Akilli,Onur G1
Khonako, Narina Daud,Shady G1
Top Mejia, Jose Hollingsworth, Tracy G2
1/3 Nicolini, Rosa
Mendoza, Ysaac
Almurqaten, Murad G2
Gomez, Garibaldy G2
Ijbara, Basema Khonako, Narina G3
Akilli, Onur Awad, Murad G3
Almurqaten, Murad Malik, Muhammad G3
Awad, Morad Mejia, Jose G4
Middle Ayyildiz, Mehmet Ayyildiz, Mehmet G4
Rudra, Liton Vargas, Karl G4
1/3 Hwang, DaEun G5
Vakman, Mike G5
Daud, Shady G5
Gomez, Garibaldy G5
Bottom Malik, Muhammad G6
Vargas, Karl G6
1/3 Henriquez, Lovita G6
Wilton, Pena G6

15. Forming Groups
Finish with the groups.
Dowlatyari, Roham Dowlatyari, Roham G1
Hollingsworth, Tracy Akilli,Onur G1
Top Khonako, Narina Daud,Shady G1
Mejia, Jose Hollingsworth, Tracy G2
1/3 Nicolini, Rosa Almurqaten, Murad G2
Mendoza, Ysaac Gomez, Garibaldy G2
Ijbara, Basema Khonako, Narina G3
Akilli, Onur Awad, Murad G3
Almurqaten, Murad Malik, Muhammad G3
Awad, Morad Mejia, Jose G4
Middle Ayyildiz, Mehmet
Rudra, Liton
Ayyildiz, Mehmet G4
Vargas, Karl G4
1/3 Hwang, DaEun Nicolini, Rosa G5
Vakman, Mike Rudra, Liton G5
Daud, Shady Henriquez, Lovita G5
Gomez, Garibaldy Vakman, Mike G5
Malik, Muhammad Mendoza, Ysaac G6
Bottom Vargas, Karl Wilton, Pena G6
1/3 Henriquez, Lovita Hwang, DaEun G6
Wilton, Pena Ijbara, Basema G6

16. Writing to learn
• Students will be given assignments to
read and then will have to write an article
about one of the subjects in either Physics
or Biomedical Science.
• Students will be graded on who has the
best articles. The top articles are going to
be published on the web using a Physics
Mini Magazine web page that is
established for this purpose.

17. Outline of Talk
• The new approach
• Pedagogical techniques used
• Examples of Physics problems that could
apply to the Biomedical Applications

18. Examples of Physics that could apply to
Biomedical Applications
Dimensional Analysis Problem
1. A human tissue cell has a diameter on the order of 1µm. Estimate the
number of cells in 1 cm3 of tissue.
Solution:
Consider tissue in the shape of a cube 1 cm on a side. The number of
cells along each edge of this cubical volume is then:
1 cm = 1 x 10 -6 μm, 1 m = 100 cm
n = (1 cm/1μm) (1μm/10 –6 m) (1 m/102 cm) = 1 x 104
and the number of cells within the 1 cm3 volume is
N = n3 = (1 x104) = 1 x 1012 or ~ 1012

19. Applications of Newton’s Laws Problem
2. In the figure below, the cast and the forearm together weigh 98.0 N.
Assuming the upper arm exerts a horizontal force of 24.0 N to the
right on the forearm, as shown, determine the force exerted by the
sling on the neck.

21. Forces of Friction Problem
3. The person in the figure below weighs 170 Ib. The crutches each make
an angle of 22.0o with the vertical (as seen from the front). Half of his
weight is supported by the crutches. The other half is supported by the
vertical forces exerted by the ground on his feet. Assuming he is at
rest and the force exerted by the ground on the crutches acts along the
crutches, determine (a) the smallest possible coefficient of friction
between crutches and ground and (b) the magnitude of the
compression force supported by each crutch.

22. Solution

24. Applications of Newton’s laws Problem
• Determine the magnitude of the net force exerted by the cable
on the leg in the figure below.

25. Solution:

26. Work Problem
5. A scraper is drawn over a tooth 20 times, each time moving a distance
of 0.75 cm. The scraper is held against the tooth with a normal force
of 5.0 N. Assuming a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.90 between
the scraper and the tooth, determine the work done to clean the
tooth.
Solution:

27. Potential Energy Problem
• A person’s heart and head are 1.3 m and 1.8 m above the feet,
respectively. Determine the potential energy associated with
0.50 kg of blood in the heart relative to (a) the feet, (b) the head.

28. Solution

29. Collision Problem
7. A 75.0 kg ice skater, moving at 10.0 m/s, crashes into a stationary
skater of equal mass. After the collision, the two skaters move as a
unit at 5.00 m/s. Suppose the average force a skater can experience
without breaking a bone is 4500 N. If the impact time is 0.100 s,
does a bone break?

30. Solution

31. Rotational Motion Under Constant Angular Acceleration Problem
8. A dentist’s drill starts from rest. After 3.20 s of constant angular
acceleration, it turns at a rate of 2.51 x 104 rev/min. (a) Find the
drill’s angular acceleration. (b) Determine the angle (in radians)
through which the drill rotates during this period.

32. Solution

33. Forces Causing Centripetal Acceleration Problem
9. A sample of blood is placed in a centrifuge of radius 15.0 cm. The
mass of a red blood cell is 3.0 x 10-16 kg, and the magnitude of the force
acting on it as it settles out of the plasma is 4.0 x 10 -11 N. At how
many revolutions per second should the centrifuge be operated?

34. Solution

35. Torque and the Two Conditions for Equilibrium Problem
10. A cook holds a 2.00 kg carton of milk at arm’s length (see figure).
What force FB must be exerted by the biceps muscle? (Ignore the
weight of the forearm.)

36. Solution

37. Torque and the Two Conditions for Equilibrium Problem
11. The chewing muscle, the masseter, is one of the strongest in the
human body. It is attached to the mandible (lower jawbone) as shown
in the figure below. The jawbone is pivoted about a socket just in
front of the auditory canal. The forces acting on the jawbone are
equivalent to those acting on the curved bar in the figure below. F C is
the force exerted by the food being chewed against the jawbone, T is
the tension in the masseter, and R is the force exerted by the socket on
the mandible. Find T and R if you bite down on a piece of steak
with a force of 50.0 N.

38. Solution

39. Young’s Modulus Problem
• A stainless steel orthodontic wire is applied to a tooth, as shown in
the figure. The wire has an unstretched length of 3.1 cm and a
diameter of 0.22 mm. If the wire is stretched 0.10 mm, find the
magnitude and direction of the force on the tooth. Disregard the
width of the tooth and assume the Young’s modulus for stainless
steel is 18 x 1010 Pa.

40. Solution

41. Shear Modulus Problem
• The stainless-steel hip pin in the figure below has a radius of 0.25
cm. A total upward force of 300 N is exerted by the leg on the pin.
Determine the deformation of the pin in the gap between the
bones. Assume that the shear modulus for steel is 8.4 x 1010 Pa

42. Solution

43. Young’s Modulus Problem
• A person weighing 800 N stands on the ball of one foot. The tibia
is 36 cm long; other dimensions are given in the figure below. Find
(a) the stress in the tibia, (b) the strain in the tibia, and the
change in length of the tibia. Young’s modulus for the tibia is 1.8
x 1010 Pa.

44. Solution

45. Pressure Measurement Problem
15. A collapsible plastic bag (see the figure) contains a glucose solution.
If the average gauge pressure in the vein is 1.33 x 10 4 Pa, what
must be the minimum height h of the bag in order to infuse
glucose into the vein? Assume that the specific gravity of the
solution is 1.02.

46. Solution

47. Thermal Expansion of Solids Problem
16. The band in the figure below is stainless steel (coefficient of linear
expansion = 17.3 x 10-6 (o C)-1; Young’s modulus = 18 x 1010 N/m2). It is
essentially circular with an initial mean radius of 5.0 mm, a height of
4.0 mm, and a thickness of 0.50 mm. If the band just fits snugly over
the tooth when heated to 80 o C, what is the tension in the band
when it cools to 37o C?

49. Heat and Thermal Energy Problem
17. A 75.0 kg weight-watcher wishes to climb a mountain to work off the
equivalent of a large piece of chocolate cake rated at 500 (food
Calories). How high must the person climb? (1 food Calorie = 103
calories)

50. Solution

51. Heat and Phase Change Problem
18. Abdelkhader El Mouaziz of Morocco won the New York Marathon in
2000. His mass is 60 kg and he expends 300 W of power while
running the marathon. Assuming that 10.0% of the energy is delivered
to the muscle tissue and that the excess energy is primarily removed
from the body by sweating, determine the volume of bodily fluid
(assume it is water) lost per hour. (At 37.0o C the latent heat of
vaporization of water is 2.41 x 106 J/kg.)

52. Solution

53. Energy and Intensity of Sound Waves Problem
19. The area of a typical eardrum is about 5.0 x 10 -5 m2. Calculate the
sound power (the energy per second) incident on an eardrum at
(a) the threshold of hearing and (b) the threshold of pain.

54. Solution

55. Standing waves in Air Columns Problem
20. The human ear canal is about 2.8 cm long. If it is regarded as a tube
open at one end and closed at the eardrum, what is the fundamental
frequency around which we would expect hearing to be most
sensitive? (Take the speed of sound to be 340 m/s.)

56. Solution

57. Coulomb’s Law Problem
21. A molecule of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is 2.17 μm long. The
ends of the molecule become singly ionized- negative on one end,
positive on the other. The helical molecule acts like a spring and
compresses 1.00% upon becoming charged. Determine the effective
spring constant of the molecule.

58. Solution

59. Potential Difference and Electric Potential Problem
22. A potential difference of 90 mV exists between the inner and outer
surfaces of a cell membrane. The inner surface is negative relative to
the outer surface. How much work is required to eject a positive
sodium ion (Na+) from the interior of the cell?

60. Solution

61. Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field Problem
23. A heart surgeon monitors the flow rate of blood through an artery
using an electromagnetic flowmeter (shown schematically in the figure
below). Electrodes A and B make contact with the outer surface of the
blood vessel, which has interior diameter 3.00 mm. For a magnetic
field magnitude of 0.040 T, a potential difference of 160 μV appears
between the electrodes. Calculate the speed of the blood.

62. Solution

63. The Law of Refraction Problem
24. A narrow beam of ultrasonic waves reflects off the liver tumor in the
figure below. If the speed of the wave is 10.0% less in the liver than
in the surrounding medium, determine the depth of the tumor.

64. Solution

65. Thin lenses Problem
25. A contact lens is made of plastic with an index of refraction of 1.50.
The lens has an outer radius of curvature of +2.00 cm and an inner
radius of curvature of +2.50 cm. What is the focal length of the
lens?

66. Solution

67. Relativity
26. An astronaut at rest on Earth has a heartbeat rate of 70
beats/min. When the astronaut is traveling in a spaceship at
0.90c, what will this rate be as measured by (a) an observer
also in the ship and (b) an observer at rest on Earth?

68. Solution

69. Atomic Physics
27. A laser used in eye surgery emits a 3.00-mJ pulse in 1.00 ns,
focused to a spot 30.0 μm in diameter on the retina. (a) Find (in SI
units) the power per unit area at the retina. (This quantity in
called irradiance.) (b) What energy is delivered per pulse to an
area of molecular size-say, a circular area 0.600 nm in
diameter?

70. Solution

71. Nuclear Physics Problem
28. A drug tagged with 9943Tc (half –life = 6.05 h) is prepared for a patient.
If the original activity of the sample was 1.1 x 10 4 Bq, what is its
activity after it has sat on the shelf for 2.0 h?

72. Solution

73. 29. An x-ray technician works 5 days per week, 50 weeks per year.
Assume that the technician takes an average of eight x-rays per day
and receives a dose of 5.0 rem/yr as a result.
(a) Estimate the dose in rem per x-ray taken.
(b) How does this result compare with the amount of low-level
background radiation the technician is exposed to?

74. solution

75. 30. A 200-rad dose of radiation is administered to a patient in an effort
to combat a cancerous growth. Assuming all of the energy
deposited is absorbed by the growth, (a) calculate the amount of
energy delivered per unit mass. (b) Assuming the growth has a
mass of 0.25 kg and a specific heat equal to that of water,
calculate its temperature rise.

76. Solution

77. Assessment
Performance of student is assessed by
using a pre-test and post-test comparison.
The preliminary result shows student
improvement. Assessment was based on
six subjects. They are linear motion,
vectors, laws of motion, energy,
momentum, and rotational motion. More
subjects are going to be assessed later.

78. Correct responses (%)
Li
ne
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
ar
m
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Ve
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of
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ot
io
n
en
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gy
m
om
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tu
Ro m
ta
tio
na
lm
ot
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n
Correct responses: Traditional

79. Correct responses (%)
lin
ea
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
r m
ot
io
n
ve
ct
or
la
w s
s
of
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approach
ta m
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Correct responses: The new

80. Correct responses comparison:
Traditional and the New approach
90%
Correct responses (%)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Linear motion Vectors law s of energy momentum Rotational
motion motion

81. More subjects are going to be assessed later:
To be continued.

82. Questions?
mmikhaiel@pccc.edu