While the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has outlined a number of learning outcomes for undergraduate biomechanics, there are a number of factors that can influence the curriculum in such courses. These factors create a situation that indeed can influence students and their attitude towards these classes.…

A simple experiment to study thermionic emission, the Richardson-Dushman equation and the energy distribution function of thermionic electrons emitted from a hot cathode using a triode vacuum tube is described. It is pointed out that such a distribution function is directly proportional to the first derivative of the Edison anode current with…

To help students develop an understanding of the proper use and function of spectrographs and monochromators we describe a student-assembled spectrograph using a "webcam" detector. The apparatus also works well as a low-cost demonstration, helping students make connections between an atomic spectrum observed by eye and a plot of the relative…

An undergraduate laboratory was designed for undergraduate students to make long persistent light emitting diode (LED) indicators using phosphors. Blue LEDs, which emit at 465 nm, were characterized and used as an excitation source. Long persistent phosphors, SrAl[subscript 2]O[subscript 4]:Eu[superscript 2+],Dy[superscript 3+] (green) and…

This paper proposes a different experimental setup compared with the traditional ones, in order to determine the acceleration of gravity, which is carried out by using a fluid at a constant rotation. A computerized rotational system--by using a data acquisition system with specific software, a power amplifier and a rotary motion sensor--is…

Applications of a simple approximation of Bessel functions of integer order, in terms of trigonometric functions, are discussed for several examples from electromagnetism and optics. The method may be applied in the intermediate regime, bridging the "small values regime" and the "asymptotic" one, and covering, in this way, an area of great…

The Physics Teacher provides introductory physics education at the high school and university levels and some of its articles are of interest to chemists. One such article points out that several substances used in the kitchen and bathrooms are not simple liquids or solids but are squishy substances, which include mayonnaise, shaving cream,…

The process of diffusion is described as the movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In this article, the authors present a novel way to introduce students to diffusion through the use of an analytical puzzle. This exercise engages students in active learning through a thought provoking exercise…

This paper describes ongoing research investigating student approaches to quantitative and qualitative problem solving in physics. This empirical study was conducted using a phenomenographic approach to analyze data from individual semistructured problem solving interviews with 22 introductory college physics students. The main result of the study…

This paper focuses on the construction, development, and use of mathematical models by prospective science and mathematics teachers enrolled in a university physics course. By studying their involvement in an inquiry-based, experimental approach to learning kinematics, we address a fundamental question about the meaning and role of abstraction in…

In the past 6 years changes have occurred in GCE A-levels. In particular, there have been several major changes in A-level Mathematics courses. As engineering students are usually required to have studied A-level Mathematics, or its equivalent, these changes have had an effect on their prior mathematical knowledge. Moreover, engineering students…

The combination of mathematical and conceptual difficulties makes teaching quantum physics at secondary schools a precarious undertaking. With many of the conceptual difficulties being unavoidable, simplifying the mathematics becomes top priority. The particle/wave-in-a-box provides a teaching model which includes many aspects of serious …

CCD spectrometers available at Stockholm House of Science allow students to measure the radiation from the Sun. Students are fascinated by the information that can be gathered from the spectrum, including the temperature of the solar surface and the presence of certain elements in both the Sun's atmosphere and the Earth's.

In recent years more emphasis has been placed on conceptual learning and understanding in the sciences. Unfortunately, among advocates of such a position there are those who do not see any role for quantitative problem solving at the secondary/high school level or even the introductory university level. This may be due to the frequent use of…

Background: It is known that success of a student is affected by the skills of motivation, time management. Studies have showed that there is positive relationship between academic achievement and study skills of a student. Purpose: It is thought that study skills of learners should be defined to be more successful on teaching-learning process.…