It can be a challenge to come up with simple demonstrations of circular motion and conservation of energy. One such demonstration consists of a large exercise ball, off of which a small solid ball is rolled. The small ball is coated in finger paint so, after an initial push, it rolls nearly without slipping and creates a visible track.

A diffraction grating is a plane surface having a large number of closely spaced slits running in parallel. When light of appropriate wavelength is incident on a diffraction grating it functions as a spectrometer, able to separate the light into its spectral components. Physical examples of interest for diffraction in the real world are…

This paper takes a new look at a well-known physics demonstration--the Cartesian diver. A general overview is provided as well as some new twists on the old classic. A new version is proposed that can demonstrate some of the finer details of scuba diving. A hydrodynamic method of lifting sunken divers is presented.

Crystallography is a fascinating subject and an argument of great importance in the study of structure of matter and fundamental physics. Moreover, many characteristics of crystals, as well as other organic and inorganic substances, are analyzed with x-ray diffraction. In order to introduce at a basic level the above mentioned subjects, and also…

Classroom observation data using tools such as the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) are frequently collected in instructional settings for large-scale research studies and program assessment. While COPUS data may be provided to instructors, it is often provided with little or no guidance on how the data can be used to…

The fundamental principles and applications of thermodynamics and single-component phase equilibrium are used to explain and quantitatively analyze the operation and performance of the vapor-compression refrigerator (VCR). Carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant. The four processes (or steps) that comprise the VCR refrigeration cycle are…

The point particle is an idealized object where rotational and vibrational motion is ignored. Nevertheless, in many cases such degrees of freedom play a significant role. For example, the rotation and vibration of a molecule is an important "reservoir" of its internal energy. The excitation of these types of motion can occur during the…

Resonance is an important, and rather dramatic, phenomenon in physics. The mechanical case of a mass-spring oscillator is generally the first example that students encounter in introductory courses. In electromagnetism, the resonance in driven RLC circuits is presented in analogy with mechanics, since the mathematical equations describing them are…

India has borrowed a colonial legacy of English language education from its British colonizers. Post-Independence, education policies pertaining to the language of instruction in school education have unequivocally been supporting multilingual education. However, the policy mandates have not been translated in the same way in classroom practices.…

In socially shared regulation of learning, adaptation is a key process for overcoming collaborative learning challenges. Monitoring the learning process allows learners to recognize the situations that require a need to change, revise, or optimize the current learning process. This can be done through adapting their strategies, task perception,…

How teachers' changes in their science teaching practices unfold over time remains unclear. We need greater understanding of the processes at work in professional development (PD) and how to sustain those processes that are effective over time. Effective PD processes are seen as those that recognize teacher change is…

This study was performed to figure out the relationship between undergraduate students' 21st-century skills (21CSs), physics academic achievements, attitudes towards physics, and perceptions of physics teaching and learning. The study was carried out with 329 undergraduate students who had taken physics courses from Architecture-Engineering,…

There is broad agreement in the literature (e.g. Furtak et al., 2012; Harlen and Qualter, 2018) that the purpose of primary science is for children to develop: (1) scientific skills; (2) knowledge and understanding of some scientific concepts; (3) positive attitudes to science; an understanding of the nature of science; and (4) an appreciation of…

In the ever-changing world based on the needs, curiosity and entrepreneurial drive of the humankind, interest in socio-scientific issues has been increasing every day with the discussion and different approaches in society. It could be suggested that the increase in this interest has been due to both the contribution and damages of these issues to…

The image of free-falling bar has been recorded to study the effect of the motion on its observed length. This moving bar image is analysed using the Tracker software to determine its length and the end bar's position. An elongated appearance of the bar has been observed with movement. This effect relies on the speed and the exposure time during…