Showing papers in "Physics Education in 2018"
TL;DR: phyphox as mentioned in this paper is a mobile application specifically designed for utilizing experiments in physics teaching, which is free and designed to offer the same set of features on both Android and iOS. But it suffers from the limitation that often the phone is inaccessible during the experiment and the data usually needs to be analyzed subsequently on a computer.
Abstract: The sensors in modern smartphones are a promising and cost-effective tool for experimentation in physics education, but many experiments face practical problems. Often the phone is inaccessible during the experiment and the data usually needs to be analyzed subsequently on a computer. We address both problems by introducing a new app, called 'phyphox', which is specifically designed for utilizing experiments in physics teaching. The app is free and designed to offer the same set of features on Android and iOS.
117 citations
TL;DR: In the ORBYTS project as discussed by the authors, students between the ages of 15 and 18 have been performing original research associated with the exploration of space since January 2016, where the student groups have each been led by junior researchers.
Abstract: Involving students in state-of-the-art research from an early age eliminates the idea that science is only for the scientists and empowers young people to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. It is also a great opportunity to dispel harmful stereotypes about who is suitable for STEM careers, while leaving students feeling engaged in modern science and the scientific method.
As part of the Twinkle Space Mission's educational programme, EduTwinkle, students between the ages of 15 and 18 have been performing original research associated with the exploration of space since January 2016. The student groups have each been led by junior researchers—PhD and post-doctoral scientists—who themselves benefit substantially from the opportunity to supervise and manage a research project. This research aims to meet a standard for publication in peer-reviewed journals. At present the research of two ORBYTS teams have been published, one in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series and another in JQSRT; we expect more papers to follow.
Here we outline the necessary steps for a productive scientific collaboration with school children, generalising from the successes and downfalls of the pilot ORBYTS projects.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrated that the constant average speed of a dynamic car could be measured and calculated using the smartphone magnetometer. But the magnetometer application was free for the experiment.
Abstract: This study demonstrated that the constant average speed of a dynamic car could be measured and calculated using the smartphone magnetometer. The apparatus setup was built using a dynamic car, a linear track up to 1.50 m, a bunch of magnets, and a smartphone magnetometer application. The smartphone magnetometer application, 'Physics Toolbox Suite', was free for the experiment. The magnet and smartphone magnetometer were attached on a linear track and dynamic car, respectively. When the dynamic car are moving on the car track, the smartphone magnetometer will measure the magnetic field value versus the time relation. The magnetic field value will fluctuate, increasing when close to the magnet or decrease when the distance from the magnet increases. The magnetic field properties (peaks time) versus the magnet distance position were analyzed using linear fitting, and we find the average speed of the dynamic car. We hope that this magnetometer experiment will be valuably used in general physics laboratories.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze publicly posted gameplay videos to assess the effectiveness of a physics educational video game on special relativity and find that while this methodology has substantial limitations, it is complementary when it comes to assessing motivations and attitudes, as well as to gathering data on conceptual hurdles.
Abstract: Researching informal gameplay can be challenging, since as soon as a formal study design is imposed, it becomes neither casual nor self-motivated. As a case study of a non-invasive design, we analyze publicly posted gameplay videos to assess the effectiveness of a physics educational video game on special relativity. These videos offer unique insights into informal learning through gaming, as players do not only describe the gameplay mechanics, but also explore physics concepts in a think-aloud fashion while they ponder the experience and effects. We find that while this methodology has substantial limitations, it is complementary when it comes to assessing motivations and attitudes, as well as to gathering data on conceptual hurdles.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the use of smartphones for students to study a simple pendulum's conservation of mechanical energy is proposed, which can be used for measuring and logging data in physics experiments.
Abstract: A common method that scientists use to validate a theory is to utilize known principles and laws to produce results on specific settings, which can be assessed using the appropriate experimental methods and apparatuses. Smartphones have various sensors built-in and could be used for measuring and logging data in physics experiments. In this work, we propose the use of smartphones for students to study a simple pendulum's conservation of mechanical energy. It is well known that common smartphones do not have a velocity sensor, which could make the verification of the conservation of mechanical energy a simpler task. To overcome this, one can use an accelerometer to measure the centripetal acceleration on the mass and from that, deduce the maximum velocity. In this study, we show that this can be achieved with reasonable uncertainty, using a mobile device. Thus, we developed an experiment which corroborates with the conservation of mechanical energy and can be performed in the classroom.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an experimental set-up employs a smartphone ambient light sensor as the motion timer for measuring the period of a simple pendulum, which allowed them to obtain an experimental value, 9.72 + 0.05 m s−2, for the gravitational acceleration which is in good agreement with the local theoretical value of 9.78 m s −2.
Abstract: A quick and very accessible method for the measurement of acceleration due to gravity is presented. The experimental set-up employs a smartphone ambient light sensor as the motion timer for measuring the period of a simple pendulum. This allowed us to obtain an experimental value, 9.72 + 0.05 m s−2, for the gravitational acceleration which is in good agreement with the local theoretical value of 9.78 m s−2.
17 citations
16 citations
TL;DR: This article used role-playing, model demonstrations, single photon interference and gravitational wave detection, plus simple experiments designed to emphasize the quantum interpretation of interference, to introduce modern physics concepts much earlier in the school curriculum.
Abstract: The decline in students' interest in science and technology is a major concern in the western world One approach to reversing this decline is to introduce modern physics concepts much earlier in the school curriculum We have used the context of the recent discoveries of gravitational waves to test the benefits of one-day interventions, in which students are introduced to the ongoing nature of scientific discovery, as well as the fundamental concepts of quantum physics and gravitation, which underpin these discoveries Our innovative approach combines role-playing, model demonstrations, single photon interference and gravitational wave detection, plus simple experiments designed to emphasize the quantum interpretation of interference We compare understanding and attitudes through pre and post testing on four age groups (school years 7, 8, 9 and 10), and compare results with those of longer interventions with Year 9 Results indicate that neither prior knowledge nor age are significant factors in student understanding of the core concepts of Einsteinian physics However we find that the short interventions are insufficient to enable students to comprehend more derived concepts
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose the use of a smartphone based apparatus as a valuable tool for investigating the optical absorption of a material and to verify the exponential decay predicted by Beer's law.
Abstract: We propose the use of a smartphone based apparatus as a valuable tool for investigating the optical absorption of a material and to verify the exponential decay predicted by Beer's law. The very simple experimental activities presented here, suitable for undergraduate students, allows one to measure the material transmittance including its dependence on the incident radiation wavelength.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce physics teachers to the Arduino platform and show how, using the vast amount of support material available on the web, this can be used with students of all ages.
Abstract: The Arduino platform is a low cost, easy to use micro-controller. Its versatility makes it an ideal platform on which to build physics experiments using common laboratory components. I aim to introduce physics teachers to this platform and show how, using the vast amount of support material available on the web, this can be used with students of all ages.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a game called "Kahoot!" was introduced in the classroom to motivate students to practice physics and the results show that students liked this game and it motivated them to practice more problems and come prepared to class.
Abstract: Physics is like swimming; students cannot master it by watching, they have to practice. The challenge is how to motivate students to practice physics. Our approach was to introduce Kahoot! in the classroom. Students have to solve problems on their own and use their cellphones to answer the problems in class. Our results show that students liked this game and it motivated them to practice more problems and come prepared to class.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate an example of how real-time data acquisition can be employed in educational settings, report some of the limitations of ARKit and how they have overcome these limitations.
Abstract: ARKit is a framework which allows developers to create augmented reality apps for the iPhone and iPad. In a previous study, we had shown that it could be used to detect position in educational physics experiments and emphasized that the ability to provide position data in real-time was one of the prominent features of this newly emerging technology. In this study, we demonstrate an example of how real-time data acquisition can be employed in educational settings, report some of the limitations of ARKit and how we have overcome these limitations. By means of ARKit or a similar framework, ordinary mobile devices can be adapted for use in microcomputer-based lab activities.
TL;DR: In this paper, forces on riders in a large rotating pendulum ride are analyzed, where the Coriolis effect is visible in accelerometer data from the rides and leads to different ride experiences in different positions.
Abstract: An amusement park is full of examples that can be made into challenging problems for students, combining mathematical modelling with video analysis, as well as measurements in the rides. Traditional amusement ride related textbook problems include free-fall, circular motion, pendula and energy conservation in roller coasters, where the moving bodies are typically considered point-like. However, an amusement park can offer many more examples that are useful in physics and engineering education, many of them with strong mathematical content. This paper analyses forces on riders in a large rotating pendulum ride, where the Coriolis effect is sufficiently large to be visible in accelerometer data from the rides and leads to different ride experiences in different positions.
TL;DR: In this paper, a novel app which can be used to detect position in physics experiments was introduced, which relies on a new technique, which has several promising advantages over video analysis.
Abstract: Developed by using ARKit, a novel app which can be used to detect position in physics experiments was introduced. The ARKit relies on a new technique. The result of the experiment presented in this study was satisfactory, suggesting that the new technique can be employed in position detection experiments/demonstrations that are conducted using mobile technology. This technique has several promising advantages over video analysis.
TL;DR: In this article, the angular acceleration of a cylinder rolling down a plane of different inclining angles was measured using a smartphone and the friction coefficient was assumed to be a random component along the rolling down process.
Abstract: A cylinder rolling down an inclined board is a commonly seen and interesting object to study and it is also easy to experiment with and model. Following what has become a popular practice, we use smartphones to measure the angular acceleration of a cylinder rolling down a plane of different inclining angles. The friction force deviates from the theoretical result near the critical angle, showing an anomalous bump for the angular acceleration in the neighbourhood of the transition point from pure rolling to rolling with slipping. To give a concise and plausible explanation, we assume that the friction coefficient bears a random component along the rolling down process, which has both an average value and a random component. Based on the formulation, the numerical simulation matches the experimental data well, which confirms the validity of our assumption.
TL;DR: In this article, the experimental data associated to the free and vertical fall movement of a brass saucer are gathered with the help of an ultrasonic distance sensor and an Arduino board and the position-time curves obtained from different initial heights are then plotted and the acceleration of gravity is experimentally determined using Excel.
Abstract: We have designed a simple Arduino-based experiment to study free fall. The experimental data associated to the free and vertical fall movement of a brass saucer are gathered with the help of an ultrasonic distance sensor and an Arduino board. The position–time curves obtained from different initial heights are then plotted and the acceleration of gravity is experimentally determined using Excel.
TL;DR: In this paper, an accessible smartphone-based experimental set-up for measuring a spring constant is presented, using the smartphone ambient light sensor as the motion timer that allows for the measurement of the period of oscillations of a vertical spring-mass oscillator.
Abstract: An accessible smartphone-based experimental set-up for measuring a spring constant is presented. Using the smartphone ambient light sensor as the motion timer that allows for the measurement of the period of oscillations of a vertical spring-mass oscillator we found the spring constant to be 27.3 0.2 N m−1. This measurement is in a satisfactory agreement with another experimental value, 26.7 0.1 N m−1, obtained via the traditional static method.
TL;DR: Through a combination of a conceptual understanding programme (CUP) and provocative exercises with ray diagrams, this work aims to elicit conceptual or cognitive conflict and exploit this to tackle misconceptions and increase students' conceptual understanding through inquiry.
Abstract: To improve the teaching and learning materials for a curriculum it is important to incorporate the findings from educational research. In light of this, we present creative exercises and experiments to elicit, confront and resolve misconceptions in geometrical optics. Since ray diagrams can be both the cause and the solution for many misconceptions we focus strongly on improving understanding of this tool to solve and understand optical phenomena. Through a combination of a conceptual understanding programme (CUP) and provocative exercises with ray diagrams we aim to elicit conceptual or cognitive conflict and exploit this to tackle misconceptions and increase students' conceptual understanding through inquiry. We describe exercises for image formation by a plane mirror, image formation by a convex lens and indirect and direct observation of a real image formed by a convex lens as examples of our approach.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present three examples where superheroes can be used to motivate learning objectives in physics and, if desired, promote critical thinking on behalf of the student, and also reflect on how using the superhero genre in the classroom can address underrepresentation of women, stereotyping, and diversity issues in physics.
Abstract: Communication of difficult concepts in the physics classroom can be negatively affected by the absence of a strong link between physics content and the experiences or interests of students. One possible method towards addressing this issue is to motivate physics content with reference to popular culture figures such as superheroes. We find ourselves in an age where superhero films are immensely popular with numerous superhero films scheduled for release over the coming years. With many students familiar with many of these characters and their superpowers, superheroes can facilitate a unique platform to aid in the dissemination of physics materials in the classroom. In this paper, we present three examples where superheroes can be used to motivate learning objectives in physics and, if desired, promote critical thinking on behalf of the student. We also reflect on how using the superhero genre in the classroom can be used to address underrepresentation of women, stereotyping, and diversity issues in physics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the maximum coefficient of static friction with a smartphone and used the smartphone like an angle meter to determine the slope angle, which can be more practical than the conventional ones and requires easily accessible materials.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to measure the maximum coefficient of static friction with a smartphone To reach this aim a very simple experiment with few materials was designed Different from conventional experiments, the smartphone was used like an angle meter to determine the slope angle The experiment in this study can be more practical than the conventional ones It also requires easily accessible materials We think that teachers and students should carry out this experiment as a group or demonstration activity in their classrooms
TL;DR: In this paper, the Torricelli law for the flow of liquid from a small drain hole in a container is examined using either a traditional calculus-based approach or a non-calculus step-wise computer method appropriate to the background of the student group.
Abstract: This paper examines the Torricelli law for the flow of liquid from a small drain hole in a container. It shows how the system can be modelled using either a traditional calculus-based approach or a non-calculus step-wise computer method appropriate to the background of the student group. An experiment to measure the head of out-flowing liquid as a function of time is then described. The conventional method of manual timing is replaced by a pressure-sensing technique involving use of the Arduino microcontroller and MakerPlot graphing software.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple heuristic derivation of the Hawking temperature, based on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, is presented, which coincides exactly with the original finding of the physicist.
Abstract: In 1974, Stephen Hawking theoretically discovered that black holes emit thermal radiation and have a characteristic temperature, known as the Hawking temperature. The aim of this paper is to present a simple heuristic derivation of the Hawking temperature, based on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The result obtained coincides exactly with Hawking's original finding. In parallel, this work seeks to clarify the physical meaning of Hawking's discovery. This article may be useful as pedagogical material in a high school physics course or in an introductory undergraduate physics course.
TL;DR: In this article, a multi-turn potentiometer was used to measure the rotation angle of a single polarizer while keeping the other polarizer fixed, which was shown to be equivalent to the inverse of Malus's law.
Abstract: Malus's law states that the intensity of light after passing through two polarizers is proportional to the square of the cosine of the angle between the polarizers. We present a simple setup demonstrating this law. The novelty of our work is that we use a multi-turn potentiometer mechanically linked to one of the polarizers to measure the polarizer's rotation angle while keeping the other polarizer fixed. Both the potentiometer and light sensor used to measure the transmitted light intensity are connected to an Arduino board so that the intensity of light is measured as a function of the rotation angle.
TL;DR: The authors introduced new models and analogies which are suitable for the teaching of Einstein's relativity at a high school level, exposing students to our best understanding of time, space, matter and energy.
Abstract: Einstein's two theories of relativity were introduced over 100 years ago. High school science students are seldom exposed to these revolutionary ideas as they are often perceived to be too difficult conceptually and mathematically. This paper brings together the two theories of relativity in a way that is logical and consistent and enables the teaching of relativity as a single subject. This paper introduces new models and analogies which are suitable for the teaching of Einstein's relativity at a high school level, exposing students to our best understanding of time, space, matter and energy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the Grand Jete of a ballerina, a jump in which the body remains 'floating' in the air for a long time.
Abstract: In sports, it is very common to see athletes performing jumps, where they impose rotations to their own bodies' elements and intentionaly change their moment of inertia around the centre of mass (CM). When this occurs, weird effects are observed in the body's trajectories. In this work we study a jump called Grand Jete of a ballerina, in which she moves her arms and legs to give the feeling that her body remains 'floating' in the air for a long time. We use a computational model to calculate the position of the ballerina's CM during the jump and to explain quantitatively her motion in terms of a displacement of the CM in the ballerina's frame of reference, which enriches the study of the Grand Jete.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce graphical and visual analogies and models which are suitable for the introduction of Einstein's theory of general relativity at a high school level and help answer the simple question: why do things fall?
Abstract: In most high school physics classes, gravity is described as an attractive force between two masses as formulated by Newton over 300 years ago. Einstein's general theory of relativity implies that gravitational effects are instead the result of a 'curvature' of space-time. However, explaining why things fall without resorting to Newton's gravitational force can be difficult. This paper introduces some simple graphical and visual analogies and models which are suitable for the introduction of Einstein's theory of general relativity at a high school level. These models provide an alternative to Newton's gravitational force and help answer the simple question: why do things fall?
TL;DR: The authors present a critical analysis of some of the arguments of flat Earth theory, and also try to show that this analysis and refutation of these false claims can be a useful exercise in critical thinking that is so much needed today.
Abstract: In this paper we present a critical analysis of some of the arguments of flat Earth theory, and we also try to show that this analysis and refutation of these false claims can be a useful exercise in critical thinking that is so much needed today. This article can also make it easier for teachers who are exposed to some of the arguments of flat Earth theory by their students. Some arguments of this theory are completely senseless, and some can simply be disproved by trigonometry or basic physical laws.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate a way of programming using an Excel spreadsheet to teach Fourier series expansion in school/colleges without the knowledge of any typical programming language.
Abstract: The present article demonstrates a way of programming using an Excel spreadsheet to teach Fourier series expansion in school/colleges without the knowledge of any typical programming language. By using this, a student learns to approximate partial sum of the n terms of Fourier series for some periodic signals such as square wave, saw tooth wave, half wave rectifier and full wave rectifier signals.
TL;DR: In this paper, a temperature sensor using very readily available NTC thermistors, which are regularly used in schools and colleges, was shown to allow students to extend the classic resistance-temperature experiment into a useful digital thermometer that can be used in many other classroom experiments.
Abstract: The Arduino is a low-cost microcontroller which is easy to adapt into a versatile data-logger. I aim to show that using very readily available NTC thermistors, which are regularly used in schools and colleges, we can make a temperature sensor allowing students to extend the classic resistance-temperature experiment into a useful digital thermometer that can be used in many other classroom experiments.