物理教育
Real Time Relativity is a computer program that allows the user to fly through a virtual world governed by relativistic physics. The user controls a 'rocket' carrying a 'camera'. The rocket may be accelerated and steered, and the camera may…
A simple model of eddy currents in which current is computed solely from magnetic forces acting on electrons proves accessible to introductory students and gives a good qualitative account of eddy current forces. However, this model cannot…
The purpose of this paper is to show the magic of physics by showing the physics of magic. What usually makes magic tricks interesting is that something unexpected occurs. Similarly, demonstrations are interesting inasmuch as they produce…
We compare the magnetic field at the center of and the self-magnetic flux through a current-carrying circular loop, with those obtained for current-carrying polygons with the same perimeter. As the magnetic field diverges at the position of…
This article describes a laboratory or demonstration technique employing the bass guitar and a Vernier LabPro (or a PC soundcard) for teaching wave physics and introducing Fourier analysis. The Fourier transform of an open string provides a…
A special case of the relativistic Doppler effect, which occurs when light reflects from a moving mirror, is discussed. The classic formula for the Doppler shift is derived in a fully non-relativistic fashion using basic facts from…
Physics concepts have often been borrowed and independently developed by other fields of science. In this perspective a significant example is that of entropy in Information Theory. The aim of this paper is to provide a short and…
Treatments of Fraunhofer diffraction normally approximate the inclination factor in the diffraction integral by 1, but this is not necessary. In this paper, the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral is used and a complete description of…
English abstract: In the "Intuitive Quantum Physics" course, we use graphical interpretations of mathematical equations and qualitative reasoning to develop and teach a simplified model of quantum physics. Our course contains three units:…
If only human beings would breathe the entire quantity of terrestrial air, then, at the present-day population on the Earth, one million years would exhaust that air. It seems we have enough air. Is it so?
We present a possibility to measure the degree of polarization of a partially polarized light beam furnished by a real (imperfect) polarizer. A generalized formula for the Malus' law is derived, which holds when a partially polarized light…
This work deals with the questions of absolute space and relativity. In particular, an alternative derivation of the effects described by special relativity is provided, which is based on a description that assumes a privileged reference…
In heavy traffic with congested roadway the maximum traffic flow also depends on length of cars. This is deduced in a simple derivation suited for classroom demonstration as well as homework. The resulting equation demonstrates a new…
One of the questions in the cosmology courses is the cooling mechanism of cosmic fluid during it expansion according to classical concepts of the thermodynamics. In this short pedagogical paper, we quote the questions and give a natural…
Analyses of interviews with secondary school students about their conceptions of light at the University of Potsdam indicate that numerous students have a deterministic view of light. With regard to these results the model of energy flow…
Using only a thought experiment and Einstein's correspondence principal, a model is derived that correctly predicts the Schwarzschild time dilation expression in limiting cases. The method requires almost no prerequisite knowledge from the…
Consider the network of elements connected by adjacency in atomic number and periodic table column. If all elements except H-He are connected by identical springs and constrained to a z-spiral in 2D, a map sans spring-crossing results for…
As a starting point in understanding Quantum Mechanics, the postulates of Quantum Mechanics are presented, and few of the main eigenvalue problems, as well.
The modeling theory of instruction is widely applied and highly successful in high-school instruction, and seldom in university physics. One reason is lack of familiarity with models in the physics classroom. Ongoing curriculum development…
For some physics students, the concept of a particle travelling faster than the speed of light holds endless fascination, and Cherenkov radiation is a visible consequence of a charged particle travelling through a medium at locally…