What Are Engaging Physics Research Topics for High School Projects?

In summary, the high school senior is looking for a research topic for a graduation project. He has considered relativity and string theory, but he is not sure if either of those are the right topic. He has also considered astrophysics, which he learned about from a webby. He is looking for ideas for a research project that he can do.
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Hi,

For my school district, all high school seniors are required to complete a graduation project in order to receive a diploma. We're supposed to pick a class we enjoy and work together with the teacher of that class, who acts as a mentor, in coming up with a presentable project to a class. I chose physics, but I don't yet have a topic. I originally wanted to build something but, long story short, that didn't work out. Now I'm resorting to a research project, Powerpoint, oration combination on an interesting topic in physics. I'm here to ask about some concepts that would be interesting to research (of course, "interesting" is a relative term but anything you think I would like would suffice). I thought about relativity and string theory, but the latter may be a bit too much for what I like to call a mini-research paper. Any ideas are encouraged!
 
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In astrophysics there is a lot of research into tests of the equivalence principle. http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/fundphys/step/ there's a fair bit of information there. NASA have their own webby which i can't find (much embarrassment). Anyway not particularly interesting but certainly enough material for and oration and powerpoint presentation.
 
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I've done this before once on here to someone asking for a research topic, and I've also help a high school student come up with appropriate references for this particular topic, so I know it can be done.

Try doing a research work on the "violation" of Einstein's photoelectric effect model. One of the consequences of this model is that if the photon energy is smaller than the work function of the metal, then no photoelectron can be emitted.

Yet, there are two separate cases where this is violated. What you can do is find both cases, explain the mechanism/physics for both of them, and show various experimental reports to support your explanations.

Zz.
 
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Thanks eveyone! :)
 
  • #5
good work you are doing great job
 
  • #6
there is this anime cartoon its called ghost hunt if you watch it I'm pretty sure youll like it and youll find lots of interesting topics so please watch it i hope it will help
 
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