Physics Education
We determine the acceleration due to gravity (g) in a novel way using a magnetic sensor and video analysis technique of a smartphone. The same applications are used to measure the terminal velocity of a magnet falling through a conducting…
We have designed an experiment that involves studying the effects of a conducting plate on the motion of an oscillating disc magnet. We have employed the video analysis method by Tracker software to investigate the variation of…
In the current era of AI transforming the research-education environment of physics, variety of issues and concerns arise. The KITP program "Generative AI for High and Low Energy Physics'' offered a discussion session on this, and here…
A fascinating approach to teaching Newton's Third Law using readily available technology is presented in this article. Magnetic forces are measured by using a smartphone's pressure sensor, two ring magnets, and common household items.…
A novel use of the LiDAR sensor of a smartphone in introductory physics experiments is discussed in this article. We have determined the spring constant for various combinations of springs using the LiDAR sensor of a smartphone through the…
A novel method is proposed to determine the magnetic moment of a magnet by studying its free-falling motion inside a non-ferromagnetic and conducting pipe. The dynamics of a neodymium magnet falling inside a pipe is tracked by using sound…
I present a new "Pairs of Squares" rendering of the Periodic Table. It takes advantage of the number of orbitals at each Madelung energy level being a whole square. This makes the table very uniform and intuitive in contrast with its…
Large language models (LLMs) have recently gained popularity. However, the impact of their general availability through ChatGPT on sensitive areas of everyday life, such as education, remains unclear. Nevertheless, the societal impact on…
Project-based learning is recognized as an effective approach for improving engagement and applied understanding in STEM education. In quantum engineering courses, however, the question is no longer only whether students benefit from…
To grow the quantum information science and technology workforce, opportunities for students to gain experiential learning and build a sense of belonging in the broader community are essential. The Undergraduate School on Experimental…
This paper describes the design and implementation of a two-day quantum hackathon for underrepresented high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada. The first day of the hackathon is spent introducing students to quantum computing through…
This article discusses incorrect statements appearing in textbooks on quantum field theory (QFT); some of these mistakes also appear in the research literature. The focus is not on errors made by an individual author, but on conceptual…
We present a classroom based activity using a sunrise photograph of Mont Blanc shadow taken from Geneva to estimate the Earth radius. By determining the direction of solar rays relative to the local vertical and accounting for atmospheric…
We present three versions of a pendulum lab activity to explore how theoretical commitments, motivations, and aspirations reflect in curriculum design. In earlier work, Boudreaux & Elby (2020) discussed how different theoretical…
Explainer videos are increasingly used to support science learning. While prior research has demonstrated their potential, studies have also identified limitations - particularly their tendency to foster an illusion of understanding, where…
We report the design, construction, and classroom use of a low-cost inertia dynamometer, built as a year-long project-based learning (PBL) activity with adult students at a Greek Evening Vocational High School (EPAL). The apparatus consists…
We present a mechanical cantilever-based tabletop interferometer to measure the radiation force exerted by light. Using a high-power (~ 1W) pulsed laser beam, we excite mechanical oscillations in a thin metallic cantilever. The cantilever…
STEM education researchers are often interested in identifying moments of students' mechanistic reasoning for deeper analysis, but have limited capacity to search through many team conversation transcripts to find segments with a high…
Previous research has shown that students often struggle to develop an understanding of linear and quadratic relationships. Covariational reasoning has been identified as a way to support this development. This study aims to investigate how…
Guiding others through authentic scientific research outside of PhD programs has been practiced for decades in specialized secondary schools, undergraduate research programs, and independent settings. These practitioners work in the middle,…