Physics Education
We describe a magnetically driven torsional oscillator that is well suited for teaching the physics of simple harmonic motion using a collection of hands-on, quantitative experiments. The mechanical Q of the system can be tuned using…
Analyzing the motion of a roller coaster allows for an instructive introduction of various theoretical concepts in a concrete and enjoyable context. We start by modeling the roller coaster train as a point particle. We then develop more…
This research uses 10 years of institutional data at a large public university in the USA to investigate trends in the undergraduate majors students declare, drop, and earn degrees, especially comparing physics to other disciplines. We find…
Generative AI is rapidly reshaping how physicists teach, learn, and conduct research, yet little is known about how physics faculty are responding to these changes. We interviewed 12 physics professors at a major Scandinavian research…
The teapot effect refers to the tendency of a poured liquid to cling to the lip of a container and run down the outside. It is a familiar but physically rich example of flow separation. We present a low-cost experiment for introductory…
Harmful experiences such as harassment and discrimination continue to push many people out of science. To better understand identities and experiences of harm among physicists, we conducted Canadian Physics Counts, the first comprehensive…
This study investigates the impact of educational comics as an active learning strategy in physics workshops for undergraduate students in Chemistry and Pharmacy and Biochemistry during the second semester of 2025. Conceptual understanding…
This article provides a gentle, visual introduction to the basic concepts of differential geometry appropriate for students familiar with special relativity. Visual methods are used to explain basics of differential geometry and build…
This paper presents the findings of pedagogical research on the efficacy of a virtual laboratory platform in general education courses on quantum information science. Specifically, a virtual laboratory activity based on the Bell test has…
Graphs are essential representations in the professions and education concerning the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Beyond their academic relevance, graphs find extensive utility in everyday scenarios,…
This study explores how generative artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, can assist in the evaluation of laboratory reports in Experimental Physics. Two interaction modalities were implemented: an automated API-based evaluation and…
Despite nation efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, women and gender minorities remain underrepresented in physics. One common approach to studying gender in physics contexts treats gender as a categorical identity variable (e.g.…
The aim of this study is to investigate the decisions and reasoning of undergraduate students when choosing simple measurement instruments in an introductory physics laboratory course. For this study, we have developed a questionnaire and…
We present a low-cost experimental setup to measure the Boltzmann constant (kB) and the elementary charge (e) through thermal and shot noise, achieving relative accuracies of up to 1%. The system utilizes a cost-effective ADC module…
As large language models (LLMs) are increasingly considered for automated assessment and feedback, understanding when LLM marking can be trusted is essential. We evaluate LLM-as-a-judge marking across three physics assessment formats -…
Courses in electromagnetism and related technical subjects are often dominated by lecture-heavy instruction and complex mathematical concepts, which can make it difficult for students to stay engaged. This is particularly problematic in…
Computational physics is a key part of what it means to do physics in the twenty-first century. However, upper division computational physics remains a largely understudied area. We set out to understand the experiences of students in an…
Generative Artificial Intelligence (gen-AI) is rapidly becoming more integrated into today's classrooms in all ranges of education. In higher education, Gen-AI is often seen as a resource for students, aiding them in drafting outlines,…
According to the literature, mobile devices as experimental tools (MDET) can offer educational benefits by creating authentic, real-life contexts for physics learning, enhancing student motivation through the use of familiar technology, and…
The rapid advancement of LLMs has generated growing interest in their potential role in physics education and assessment, yet a focused evaluation of their performance on multi-faceted, free-response physics problems remains underexplored.…