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2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025003
Author(s):  
William H Baird

Abstract The United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), and similar geolocation systems such as Galileo, GLONASS, and Beidou are used by people all over the globe. Modern receivers of these global navigation satellite systems can track multiple satellites from different constellations. Casual, non-technical users are probably aware that the positional information provided is typically accurate to within a few meters. We could expect physics students to infer that, because these systems rely on the travel time of radio signals, this implies time measurement accuracy on the scale of tens of nanoseconds. This feature has led to GPS-enabled Internet time servers providing stratum 1 accuracy for under $1000. In this paper, we will show that we can couple a GPS unit to a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to determine the temperature in a room. The more serious application of this GPS-FPGA pairing is to provide precise time-stamping of events, thereby synchronizing data collection between stations across a room or across the globe.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025015
Author(s):  
Keith Atkin

Abstract This paper describes two examples of teaching situations in which the idea of infinity arises, and supports the conclusion that infinity is not a physical reality but a very powerful and useful mathematical device which facilitates modelling and the solution of problems in physics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025010
Author(s):  
Joel A Walsh ◽  
Mic Fenech ◽  
Derrick L Tucker ◽  
Catherine Riegle-Crumb ◽  
Brian R La Cour

Abstract Quantum computing was once regarded as a mere theoretical possibility, but recent advances in engineering and materials science have brought practical quantum computers closer to reality. Currently, representatives from industry, academia, and governments across the world are working to build the educational structures needed to produce the quantum workforce of the future. Less attention has been paid to growing quantum computing capacity at the high school level. This article details work at The University of Texas at Austin to develop and pilot the first full-year high school quantum computing class. Over the course of two years, researchers and practitioners involved with the project learned several pedagogical and practical lessons that can be helpful for quantum computing course design and implementation at the secondary level. In particular, we find that the use of classical optics provides a clear and accessible avenue for representing quantum states and gate operators and facilitates both learning and the transfer of knowledge to other Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) skills. Furthermore, students found that exploring quantum optical phenomena prior to the introduction of mathematical models helped in the understanding and mastery of the material.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025014
Author(s):  
Kirsten Stadermann ◽  
Martin Goedhart

Abstract High school students’ difficulties with quantum physics (QP) are partly due to their limited understanding of the nature of science (NOS). The essence of QP can only be understood with informed views about NOS aspects such as the role of models and the relevance of controversies between physicists. Inversely, QP is an ideal topic for teaching aspects of NOS. However, secondary school textbooks seldom support teachers to explicitly address NOS in QP. Drawing on a five year research program, including observations of students and teachers, we present teaching resources that link NOS aspects with QP. Our materials support active and reflective learning activities, while being adaptable to teachers’ individual needs and affordances. We hope to inspire teachers to address NOS in their QP lessons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025006
Author(s):  
Sigit Ristanto ◽  
Waskito Nugroho ◽  
Eko Sulistya ◽  
Gede B Suparta

Abstract Measuring the 3D position at any time of a given object in real-time automatically and well documented to understand a physical phenomenon is essential. Exploring a stereo camera in developing 3D images is very intriguing since a 3D image perception generated by a stereo image may be reprojected back to generate a 3D object position at a specific time. This research aimed to develop a device and measure the 3D object position in real-time using a stereo camera. The device was constructed from a stereo camera, tripod, and a mini-PC. Calibration was carried out for position measurement in X, Y, and Z directions based on the disparity in the two images. Then, a simple 3D position measurement was carried out based on the calibration results. Also, whether the measurement was in real-time was justified. By applying template matching and triangulation algorithms on those two images, the object position in the 3D coordinate was calculated and recorded automatically. The disparity resolution characteristic of the stereo camera was obtained varied from 132 pixels to 58 pixels for an object distance to the camera from 30 cm to 70 cm. This setup could measure the 3D object position in real-time with an average delay time of less than 50 ms, using a notebook and a mini-PC. The 3D position measurement can be performed in real-time along with automatic documentation. Upon the stereo camera specifications used in this experiment, the maximum accuracy of the measurement in X, Y, and Z directions are ΔX = 0.6 cm, ΔY = 0.2 cm, and ΔZ = 0.8 cm at the measurement range of 30 cm–60 cm. This research is expected to provide new insights in the development of laboratory tools for learning physics, especially mechanics in schools and colleges.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025008
Author(s):  
Emadelden Fouad ◽  
Robert Austin ◽  
R A Kryger ◽  
Doug Holton ◽  
Sesha Srinivasan ◽  
...  

Abstract The use of technology in higher education science classrooms rose significantly in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many universities, academic programs including introductory physics classes were taken online. Some institutions adopted online learning but also maintained face-to-face (F2F) laboratories when COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. Here, the effectiveness of the online learning approach in comparison with F2F learning is explored. The percentage difference in performance for students who took the online introductory physics course, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, versus that of students simultaneously taking the same course F2F is reported. This is done both across different sections taught by different instructors, and for the same course taught online versus F2F by the same professor. Furthermore, a short survey was conducted to assess the student learning experience and opinion about online and F2F learning. The results show equal or better overall performance for online learning with 4.2% higher performance when comparing results across different sections taught by different instructors. A similar 6.1% performance improvement was seen when comparing results across different sections taught by the same instructor. In contrast with the performance outcomes, the survey results indicate that about 72% of students prefer F2F compared to online learning. The findings provide a useful reference as many institutions and programs transition back to more standard F2F or hybrid learning modes. The benefits and drawbacks of each mode are discussed in the specific context of student preferences and challenges faced in online learning during COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025013
Author(s):  
Rohit Singh ◽  
Amit Kumar Singh ◽  
Sonal Singhal

Abstract Air pollution is one of our day’s significant reasons for human health problems and affects every community throughout the world. Monitoring air pollution is a key aspect of raising awareness and pollution mitigation approaches followed by different nations. This paper targets to develop a low-cost Internet of things-based embedded system to measure and maintain air quality index (AQI) indicators at any locality. The system implemented here is minimal and can be deployed quickly and easily. The AQI measurement system was developed and tested for several periods, and recorded values of AQI were found to be in close agreement with actual values obtained from standard databases. In addition, several starting physics and electronics laboratory courses train students on measuring physical parameters over time. In this context, along with the introduction to the current pollution scenario and the challenges, this experiment will give a first-hand exposure of setting up a simple experiment and measuring a physical parameter to time. Students also learn to write simple programs and interface the experiment with a computer to record the results. The current work also demonstrates how to publish/subscribe the data using the message queue telemetry transport protocol.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025011
Author(s):  
P A Paixão ◽  
V M C Remonatto ◽  
L B Calheiro ◽  
D D Dos Reis ◽  
A M B Goncalves

Abstract Here, we present a 3D printed experimental apparatus that students can use to acquire interference and diffraction quantitative data from light passing through a single or double-slit experiment. We built a linear screw stage with a multiturn potentiometer connected to its leadscrew as a position sensor. Using an Arduino, we collected light intensity data (from a photodiode mounted in the linear stage) as a function of position. The apparatus is a low-cost and compact alternative with data acquisition to optics physics laboratories.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025012
Author(s):  
Kim Krijtenburg-Lewerissa ◽  
Henk Pol ◽  
Alexander Brinkman ◽  
Wouter van Joolingen

Abstract Quantum mechanics (QM) has become part of many secondary school curricula. These curricula often do not include the mathematical tools for a formal, mathematical introduction of QM. QM therefore needs to be taught at a more conceptual level, but making secondary school students understand counterintuitive QM concepts without introducing mathematical formalism is a challenge. In order to accept QM, students not only have to see the need of it, but also have to see that QM is understandable and logical. Dutch secondary school students are familiar with potential energy (PE) in the context of gravitational and elastic energy. Therefore, the introduction of QM by using the potential wells and tunneling with emphasis on students’ prior knowledge of PE could be a way to make QM more understandable and logical. To explore this, we investigated the relation between the understanding of energy diagrams and the understanding of the potential well and tunneling. A module was created to promote students’ understanding of PE in classical context. Then, a quasi-experimental intervention was used, in which the experimental group received additional lessons using the module on classical energy diagrams before being taught QM. Two tests were developed in order to determine students’ understanding of PE and QM. The results of the tests showed that the experimental group not only had better understanding of PE diagrams, but also of QM even before they were being taught QM. Analysis of the tests also showed that there was a significant correlation between the understanding of PE diagrams and the understanding of QM. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that emphasis on PE can be used to reduce the gap between students’ prior knowledge and QM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 025007
Author(s):  
Guilherme C C Jesus ◽  
Tiago J Castro

Abstract In this work, we report the development of a low-cost Arduino-controlled device for didactic activities in light polarization. The main body of the prototype was designed and produced using laser-cut medium density fibreboard parts, including gears and pulleys. As a light source and detector, a 532 nm laser pointer and a light dependent resistor were used, respectively. The moving parts (light source and detector) are controlled using a stepper motor (28BYJ-48) with the ULN2003 driver. The apparatus was tested with glass and plastic (polystyrene) slides. The results show that the prototype can distinguish between parallel and perpendicular polarization (to the plane of incidence). In addition, it is demonstrated that the prototype can be satisfactorily applied to determine the Brewster’s angle, even for solids with close refractive indexes.


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