The target of this study is to determine the minimum angle of deviation of a prism which is one of the optical experiments. Thus, the aim is to state the refractive index of a prism. In this context, the Tracker program, which might also be utilized in terms of distance education purposes, was preferred. The videos of the experiments were recorded…

In this work, an alternative Experimental Didactic Kit for teaching resistors, capacitors and "RC" timing circuits was developed, using the Arduino platform technology, which is composed of a microcontroller and peripherals, due to the easy access to available teaching materials, enabling the reproduction of the prototype in the future…

In science learning, the experiment is an essential activity to facilitate students to discover and develop knowledge as well as to enhance scientific process skills and self-confidence. This study aims to create a simple experimental apparatus related to the principle of fluid continuity that can be made and conducted by the teacher and student…

The drag effect on a falling ball caused by air is a conventional subject in the most well-known textbooks of classical mechanics and fluid dynamics. Further, there are some papers that employ video analysis to track objects movements in the air making it possible to obtain position data as a function of time and its graphs. However, none of them…

We present a sequence of two physics experiments, designed for use with secondary students, which investigate the specific heat of sand, both qualitatively and quantitatively, without a calorimeter. We use two LM35 temperature sensors and an Arduino prototype board for data acquisition. The results are good and allow teachers to discuss the…

The recent progress of intelligent electronic devices makes computer science, electronic and information technology, highly related to teaching and learning physics. The main question is how education can integrate this knowledge. Methods and components of new technology are applicable for education also; teachers and learners used the parts and…

This study aims to measure the angular velocity of a clock's second hand and the average angular velocity of a metronome using a smartphone. To determine the angular velocities, the ticking of clock's second hand and the metronome beats were recorded. The angle between the extreme left and right positions of the metronome's hand was also measured.…

Experimental teaching is essential for a good understanding of science, especially on Physics. Practical activities play an important role for engaging students with science, mainly when they interact directly with equipment, collect experimental data with computers and/or use interactive software for data analysis. In this work, we present the…

In an earlier contribution in "Physics Education" (Bitzenbauer and Meyn 2020 "Phys. Educ." 55 055031 [see EJ1263541]), we presented a new teaching sequence on quantum optics on the secondary school level, and we reported on promising results of a first pilot study concerning its learning effectiveness. In the sense of…

In the high school context, many students only solve photoelectric effect phenomena based on the equation for maximum kinetic energy and its relationship to work functions. While the story behind this phenomenon constitutes an exciting educational experience if conveyed in an attractive visual manner, many physics teachers are concerned that…

The aim of this study is to design an argumentation-based educational digital game to teach the subject of force. Through a design-based research method, each game section includes the argumentation questions that foster students to think about the 'force' subject. We pilot studied the game with 12 grade 4 students in a state primary school. After…

The toppling motion of falling chimney stacks has been the subject of a number of studies which address the interesting phenomenon that brick chimneys usually break well before they hit the ground. Modern concrete chimneys, and wind generator towers, however, are strong enough to topple without breaking and many videos of their destruction are…

MEMs gyros, such as those in smartphones allow the angular velocity of pendulums to be precisely measured at large angles, and phase plots of the angular acceleration versus the angular displacement confirm that [double dot][phi] = -[omega][superscript 2][subscript o] sin[phi] even for the non-sinusoidal motion at amplitude [phi][subscript o]…

The flight of a quadcopter drone, readily available as a toy, is analyzed using simple physics concepts. A smartphone with built-in accelerometer and gyroscope was attached to the drone to register the accelerations and angular velocities along the three spatial axis while the drone is taking off, landing or rotating. The vertical speed, the…

In this article, an approach to integrate contemporary quantum physics into secondary school teaching is presented. The Erlanger concept on quantum optics provides an experimental-based guideway to aspects of modern quantum physics. We avoid the traditional historical approach in order to overcome the lack of modern concepts of quantum physics. In…