Introducing exploration geophysics to students using Ohm’s law: A case study of prospecting for groundwater by Hlangabeza high school students in Nkayi rural district of Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to explain how a familiar physics topic of Ohm’s law of electricity can be used to explore the interior of the earth. The paper gives the theory on the resistivity method of exploration and how it is used for constant separation traversing and vertical electrical sounding. A fieldwork done by physics students from Hlangabeza high school, in Nkayi district, Matebeleland north province, Zimbabwe is given in detail. This involved locating a drilling site for a groundwater borehole. The Schlumberger depth sounding data where interpreted using a computer freeware. This was used to computer a layered earth model using least square technique to match the theoretical apparent resistivity curve as close as possible to the field curve. This provided depth information of the weathered layer above the bedrock at selected site. The overall results suggest that teaching physics can easily be done through putting theory into practice. The fieldworks demonstrated that they prop up the development of expert science behavior in students.