A low-cost time-resolved emission spectrometer optimized for ruby emission is presented. The use of a Class II diode laser module as the excitation source reduces costs and hazards. The design presented here can facilitate the inclusion of time-resolved emission spectroscopy with laser excitation sources in the undergraduate laboratory curriculum.…

This paper describes a cost effective and safe device to perform realistic experiments on the physics of radioactivity in classrooms. It can be used to study both a- and ß-radioactivity as well as ?-emitters and shows extremely realistic behaviour. The device, in the form of a Geiger--Müller tube, was tested during a public lecture and it deceived…

Most didactic lab experiments deal with the influence of temperature, concentration, pressure, surface area, and catalysts on chemical kinetics; however, few of them explore the influence of light radiation and the presence of inhibitor agents on reaction rates. In order to investigate the effects of the radiation source and the presence of…

Digital learning and wireless connectivity have become so entrenched in schools that many educators now consider high-speed Internet access a requirement for effective teaching. Advocates aspire to equip every student in America with wireless access. But schools are finding that a substantial number of people have health concerns about the radio…

In this article we present simple and low-cost experiments about the polarization of light. We use an LCD monitor or an RGB LED light bulb with a Polaroid as a source of polarized radiation, a polarizer sheet as an analyzer, and a smartphone camera to measure light intensities. Thus, using a digital camera to acquire videos students can explore in…

This paper was inspired by the work of a previous contributor on the subject of modelling plague epidemiology by comparing it to the physics of series radioactive decay, RC transients, and fluid dynamics. An Arduino-based experiment to illustrate the fluid-dynamical case is described. Attention is drawn to important differences between systems…

Melanoma, a type of cancer that develops in melanocytes, is usually caused by direct exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation resulting in cellular damage. In this study, a procedure to determine the effects of various commercial sunscreens with SPF values ranging from 15 to 100 was developed using pig skin to mimic human skin. These…

This inquiry-based lesson gets students moving to simulate chemical reactions in a way that allows them to visualize, understand, and retain information about chemical reactions in the stratosphere. Students then look at scientific data and conduct research to understand trends in the data and the impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These…

The use of digital technology has grown rapidly during the last couple of decades. During use, mobile phones and cordless phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation. No previous generation has been exposed during childhood and adolescence to this kind of radiation. The brain is the main target organ for RF emissions from the handheld wireless…

Electromagnetic radiation is one of the most important issues affecting peoples' lives today. The misunderstanding of students and the general population of the effects of electromagnetic radiation is a problem which must be eliminated. Thus, a discussion about ionising and non-ionising radiation focusing on the crucial issue of radiation emitted…

The approaches of "problem-based learning" and "writing to learn" are known for facilitating the apprehension of concepts and better retaining of knowledge. In educational research, concept maps are sometimes used to assess the learners' level of knowledge. In this paper, the main aim is to investigate the validity of concept…

Objective: To develop and validate a scale measuring health beliefs about UV in cloudy climates that may impact UV exposure behaviors. Participants: Students at a large university in Oregon completed pilot (N = 115) and final (N = 335) scales online March-July, 2016. Five participants underwent cognitive interviews. Methods: Expert feedback,…

Teaching blackbody radiation within the framework of astrophysics can motivate students to learn and obtain a more profound and qualitative understanding of the subject. In this paper we present a teaching module that intertwines teaching blackbody radiation via the continuous spectrum of hot objects, especially the stars. The module's approach…

Teachers are responsible for children at school during peak ultraviolet (UV) times of the day. It is paramount that teachers have knowledge and understanding of UV to effectively protect themselves and their students. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of a short intervention on preservice teachers' sun protective…

In a recent article in "Physics Today," Meredith and Redish emphasized the need to make introductory physics courses beneficial for life sciences majors. In this study, a lab activity is proposed to measure the intensity of electromagnetic waves emitted by cell phones and connect these measurements to various standards, biological…