In the last 30 days

• Open/close How do wings work?

  Holger Babinsky 2003 Phys. Educ. 38 497 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (364 KB)

  The popular explanation of lift is common, quick, sounds logical and gives the correct answer, yet also introduces misconceptions, uses a nonsensical physical argument and misleadingly invokes Bernoulli's equation. A simple analysis of pressure gradients and the curvature of streamlines is presented here to give a more correct explanation of lift.

• Open/close Siphonic concepts examined: a carbon dioxide gas siphon and siphons in vacuum

  Joshua J Ramette and Richard W Ramette 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 412 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (238 KB)

  Misconceptions of siphon action include assumptions that intermolecular attractions play a key role and that siphons will operate in a vacuum. These are belied by the siphoning of gaseous carbon dioxide and behaviour of siphons under reduced pressure. These procedures are suitable for classroom demonstrations. The principles of siphon action are summarized.

• Open/close Exploding balloons, deformed balls, strange reflections and breaking rods: slow motion analysis of selected hands-on experiments

  Michael Vollmer and Klaus-Peter Möllmann 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 472 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (3.14 MB)

  A selection of hands-on experiments from different fields of physics, which happen too fast for the eye or video cameras to properly observe and analyse the phenomena, is presented. They are recorded and analysed using modern high speed cameras. Two types of cameras were used: the first were rather inexpensive consumer products such as Casio Exilim cameras operating at frame rates of up to 1200 Hz for reduced image sizes and the second were higher quality research cameras, which allow much higher frame rates at larger image sizes. In this first article, examples are presented from exploding balloons demonstrating retardation in mechanics, karate hits, deformations associated with the bouncing of balls, strange trajectories of 'superballs' as well as the breaking of spaghetti.

• Open/close Leakage of microwave ovens

  W Abdul-Razzaq et al 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 417 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (157 KB)

  Physics is essential for students who want to succeed in science and engineering. Excitement and interest in the content matter contribute to enhancing this success. We have developed a laboratory experiment that takes advantage of microwave ovens to demonstrate important physical concepts and increase interest in physics. This experiment investigates leaked electromagnetic radiation from microwave ovens. We compare the data that are obtained to national standards in order to relate the fields of physics, health and engineering. The experiment is designed to provide for added enquiry and stimulation of thought-provoking questions.

• Open/close Attraction or repulsion of a rod via electrical induction

  Blane Baker 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 372 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (208 KB)

  No abstract
• Open/close Using jets of air to teach fluid dynamics

  T López-Arias et al 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 373 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (241 KB)

  No abstract
• Open/close A bubble chamber simulator: a new tool for the physics classroom

  Michel Gagnon 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 443 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (788 KB)

  Mainly used in the 1960s, bubble chambers played a major role in particle physics. Now replaced with modern electronic detectors, we believe they remain an important didactic tool to introduce particle physics as they provide visual, appealing and insightful pictures. Sadly, this rare type of detector is mostly accessible through open-door events only. To overcome this drawback, we have developed a realistic computer-based simulator to replicate the actual equipment. Using this software, students and instructors are able to obtain randomly created computer-simulated images comparable to real-life ones. We have successfully used this software in our mechanics, electromagnetism and modern physics courses to illustrate the effect of a magnetic field on charged particles, to exemplify relativistic mechanics and to discuss the conservation of energy, momentum and quantum numbers in particle collisions. It also provides original examples for students to practise their ability to identify the particles involved, thereby gaining a better understanding of the underlying physical laws. The software is available as a free download.

• Open/close A very persistent mistake

  J A G McClelland 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 469 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (91 KB)

  Articulated bodies with an internal energy source require to be coupled to an external mass in order to accelerate themselves but the typical text book assertion that the net force is provided by the external mass is not correct. Arguments are presented demonstrating that the assertion is incorrect and reasons are suggested for the persistence of this mistake.

• Open/close Book: Marie Curie: A Biography Book: Fast Car Physics Book: Beautiful Invisible Equipment: Fun Fly Stick Science Kit Book: Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You Book: Chaos: The Science of Predictable Random Motion Book: Seven Wonders of the Universe Book: Special Relativity Equipment: LabVIEWTM 2009 Education Edition Places to Visit: Edison and Ford Winter Estates Places to Visit: The Computer History Museum Web Watch

   2011 Phys. Educ. 46 487 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (512 KB)

  WE RECOMMEND

  Fun Fly Stick Science Kit
  Fun fly stick introduces electrostatics to youngsters

  Special Relativity
  Text makes a useful addition to the study of relativity as an undergraduate

  LabVIEW ^TM 2009 Education Edition
  LabVIEW sets industry standard for gathering and analysing data, signal processing, instrumentation design and control, and automation and robotics

  Edison and Ford Winter Estates
  Thomas Edison's home is open to the public

  The Computer History Museum
  Take a walk through technology history at this computer museum

  WORTH A LOOK

  Fast Car Physics
  Book races through physics

  Beautiful Invisible
  The main subject of this book is theoretical physics

  Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You
  A guide to physics on the large and small scale

  Chaos: The Science of Predictable Random Motion
  Book explores the mathematics behind chaotic behaviour

  Seven Wonders of the Universe
  A textual trip through the wonderful universe

  HANDLE WITH CARE

  Marie Curie: A Biography
  Book fails to capture Curie's science

  WEB WATCH
  Web clips to liven up science lessons

• Open/close Simple phenomena, slow motion, surprising physics

  Jan Koupil and Vladimír Vícha 2011 Phys. Educ. 46 454 Tag this article

  Article References Full text PDF (637 KB)

  This article describes a few simple experiments that are worthwhile for slow motion recording and analysis either because of interesting phenomena that can be seen only when slowed down significantly or because of the ability to do precise time measurements. The experiments described in this article are quite commonly done in Czech schools.

  All high-speed videos were taken using a Casio Exilim EX-F1 camera that can produce slow motion videos recorded at a rate of 1200 FPS (frames per second). When played back at the standard rate of 30 FPS, the motion is slowed down 40 times. The videos described in this article are accessible via http://bit.ly/slow-motion-physics.