arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education最新文献

{"title":"Visual relativistic mechanics","authors":"Karol Urbański","doi":"arxiv-2408.07036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.07036","url":null,"abstract":"Many formalisms of special relativity are shown in various textbooks.\u0000However, even in those where the underlying geometry of Minkowski space is\u0000emphasized, the visualisations are lacking. This article aims to remedy this by\u0000expressing relativistic concepts in a visual manner, using the full power of\u0000hyperbolic trigonometric functions. Minkowski diagrams in energy-momentum space\u0000are used and then augmented in comparison with previous uses in literature by\u0000direct usage of triangles in Minkowski space. As a proof-of-concept for the\u0000advantages of this holistic approach, elegant new derivations of the\u0000relativistic rocket equation and the relativistic Doppler effect are presented.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Galileo's Ship and the Relativity Principle","authors":"S. Murgueitio Ramírez","doi":"arxiv-2408.06439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.06439","url":null,"abstract":"It is widely acknowledged that the Galilean Relativity Principle, according\u0000to which the laws of classical systems are the same in all inertial frames in\u0000relative motion, has played an important role in the development of modern\u0000physics. It is also commonly believed that this principle holds the key to\u0000answering why, for example, we do not notice the orbital velocity of the Earth\u0000as we go about our day. And yet, I argue in this paper that the precise content\u0000of this principle is ambiguous: standard presentations fail to distinguish\u0000between two principles that are ultimately inequivalent, the \"External Galilean\u0000Relativity Principle\" (EGRP) and the \"Internal Galilean Relativity Principle\"\u0000(IGRP). I demonstrate that EGRP and IGRP play distinct roles in physics and\u0000that many classical systems that satisfy IGRP fail to satisfy EGRP. I further\u0000show that the Relativity Principle introduced by Einstein in 1905-which is not\u0000restricted to classical systems-also leads to two inequivalent principles. I\u0000conclude by noting that the phenomenon originally captured by Galileo's famous\u0000ship passage is much more general than contemporary discussions in the\u0000philosophy of symmetries suggest.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors and Socio-Demographic Disparities in STEM Degree Outcomes: A ten-year UK study using Hierarchical Logistic Regression","authors":"Andrew M. Low","doi":"arxiv-2408.05853","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.05853","url":null,"abstract":"This research study uses hierarchical logistic regression to identify\u0000predictors of first-class STEM degree outcomes at a research-intensive Russell\u0000Group university in the UK between 2012 and 2022. By building a multivariate\u0000binary logistic model with random intercepts for different STEM degree\u0000subjects, we find that prior academic attainment, ethnicity, gender,\u0000socioeconomic status, age, and course duration are statistically significant\u0000predictors of achieving a first-class degree. By determining the odds ratios\u0000and average marginal effects of socio-demographic predictors, we find evidence\u0000for the existence of age, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic awarding gaps.\u0000The largest awarding gap exists between Black and White students, with Black\u0000students having 0.45 (95% CI: 0.30-0.68) times the odds, and a 14% lower\u0000probability, of achieving a first-class degree compared to White students,\u0000holding all other variables constant. Students who graduate from 4-year degrees\u0000are found to have, on average, a 27% higher probability of achieving a\u0000first-class degree than students on 3-year degrees. Despite raw data suggesting\u0000that male students outperform female students, the multivariate hierarchical\u0000analysis revealed higher odds for female students after controlling for other\u0000factors and accounting for nested data structures. Analysis using year-specific\u0000average marginal effects indicates that awarding gaps have not significantly\u0000changed between 2012 and 2022. This research study provides a robust analytical\u0000framework for use by other departments and institutions aiming to identify and\u0000address awarding gaps.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Relativistic World of Electromagnetism on Computer","authors":"Daiju Nakayama, Kin-ya Oda, Koichiro Yasuda","doi":"arxiv-2408.05481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.05481","url":null,"abstract":"It is the theoretical structure of electromagnetism that led Einstein to\u0000special relativity. To foster an intuitive understanding of relativity's core\u0000idea, it is valuable to create a fully special relativistic computer simulation\u0000incorporating electromagnetic dynamics. In this paper, we provide a basic\u0000formulation for such an implementation. Specifically, the player observes the\u0000world via their past light cone and experiences the Lorentz force generated by\u0000the electromagnetic field at their spacetime location. The electromagnetic\u0000field at any given spacetime point is determined by the sublight-speed motion\u0000of individual point charges on the past light cone of that spacetime point.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement of electromagnetic radiation force using a capacitance interferometer","authors":"Devashish Shah, Pradumn Kumar, Pradeep Sarin","doi":"arxiv-2408.04893","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.04893","url":null,"abstract":"Interferometry forms the cornerstone of several high-precision sensing\u0000techniques in physics. We present a mechanical cantilever-based tabletop\u0000interferometer to measure the force exerted by light from a pulsed laser beam.\u0000The experiment uses the interference of two sinusoidal voltage signals passing\u0000through nominally similar dielectrics formed by two cantilever-based air\u0000capacitors on a PCB. The radiation force exerted by a pulsed laser beam on one\u0000of the air capacitors causes a change in its capacitance, which is measured as\u0000a proportional change in the interfering voltage signal. This experiment uses\u0000equipment commonly found in an undergraduate teaching laboratory for physics\u0000and electronics while providing excellent insight into electromagnetic wave\u0000theory, circuit design for low-noise measurements, Fourier analysis, and\u0000interpretation of experimental data.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141933902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating and improving student understanding of the basics of quantum computing","authors":"Peter Hu, Yangqiuting Li, Chandralekha Singh","doi":"arxiv-2408.04859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.04859","url":null,"abstract":"Quantum information science and engineering (QISE) is a rapidly developing\u0000field that leverages the skills of experts from many disciplines to utilize the\u0000potential of quantum systems in a variety of applications. It requires talent\u0000from a wide variety of traditional fields, including physics, engineering,\u0000chemistry, and computer science, to name a few. To prepare students for such\u0000opportunities, it is important to give them a strong foundation in the basics\u0000of QISE, in which quantum computing plays a central role. In this study, we\u0000discuss the development, validation, and evaluation of a QuILT, or Quantum\u0000Interactive Learning Tutorial, on the basics and applications of quantum\u0000computing. These include an overview of key quantum mechanical concepts\u0000relevant for quantum computation (including ways a quantum computer is\u0000different from a classical computer), properties of single- and multi-qubit\u0000systems, and the basics of single-qubit quantum gates. The tutorial uses guided\u0000inquiry-based teaching-learning sequences. Its development and validation\u0000involved conducting cognitive task analysis from both expert and student\u0000perspectives and using common student difficulties as a guide. The\u0000inquiry-based learning sequences in the tutorial provide scaffolding support to\u0000help students develop a functional understanding. The final version of the\u0000validated tutorial was implemented in two distinct courses offered by the\u0000physics department with slightly different student populations and broader\u0000course goals. Students' understanding was evaluated after traditional\u0000lecture-based instruction on the requisite concepts, and again after engaging\u0000with the tutorial. We analyze and discuss their improvement in performance on\u0000concepts covered in the tutorial.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141933903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign: Africa's Contribution to Planetary Defense","authors":"Miracle Chibuzor Marcel, Kassamba Abdel Aziz Diaby, Meryem Guennoun, Betty Rose Nabifo, Mohamed Elattar, Andoniaina Rajaonarivelo, Privatus Pius, Molly Nkamogelang Kgobathe, Immanuel Luis, Sigrid Shilunga, Nejmeddine Etteyeb, Keketso Qhomane, Samuel Nyangi, Tresford Chilufya Kalunga, Nunes Alfredo Assano, Edson Domingos Jequecene, Mafuka Lusala Joseph, Esaenwi Sudum, Jorbedom Leelabari Gerald, Christopher Tombe Louis Gore, Kareem Waleed Hosny, Nagat Yasser, Jocelyn Franck, Mamoudou Kourouma, Baboucarr Bobb, Kebab Jaiteh, Salma Sylla, Hans Essone Obame, Dennis Kiyeng, Thobekile Sandra Ngwanw, Tawanda Kelvin Simon, Saja Alhoush Sulayman, Salma Regaibi, Souley Yahaya, Tengwi Mogou Ornela, Henry Sanderson Viyuyi, Fortune Tatenda Matambo, Matthias Asare-Darko, Christian Kontoa Koussouwa Gbaba, Moisés da Silva, Ntahompagaze Joseph, Gilberto Gomes, Bongiwe Portia Mkhabela, Bauleni Bvumbwe, Tshombe Nkhowani, Mawugnon Axel Gahou, Sarah Abotsi-Masters, René Simbizi, Salomon Mugisha, Ahmed Saeed, Mohammed Yahya Alradi Eldaw, Allen Thomas, Ben Abdallah ridha, Dieumerci kaseha, Sherine Ahmed El Baradei, Nahla Hazem Hussein, Bado Fabrice, Ngozika Frances Anekwe, Arvind Ramessur, Mohamed Ali Koroma, Harold Safary, Oosthuizen Leonardo, Mdumiseni Wisdom Dabulizwe Dlamini, Mamadou Mahamat Djabbi, Nonofo Angela, Mamaja Jalloh, Mamadou Balde, Joy Olayiwola, Elijah Ibharalu, Thierry Martial Tchangole, Kirubel Memberu, Lidia Dinsa, Chidozie Gospel Ezeakunne","doi":"arxiv-2408.03385","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.03385","url":null,"abstract":"Asteroid search is a global effort for planetary defense. The International\u0000Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) is the leading global educational\u0000outreach program that provides high-quality astronomical datasets to citizen\u0000scientists to discover asteroids. Since December 4, 2020, the Pan-African\u0000Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) has been IASC's biggest partner on the\u0000continent in recruiting and training citizen scientists in asteroid search\u0000endeavors. Over 30 asteroids have been discovered by 60 citizen scientists.\u0000About 595 citizen scientists from over 40 countries have been engaged in the\u0000project up to the time of composing this literature. The group is set to expand\u0000its endeavors to the rest of the continent and aims to engage thousands of\u0000citizen scientists.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"307 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141933905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab: An Emerging Online Platform for Astronomy Research, Education and Outreach in Africa","authors":"Miracle Chibuzor Marcel, Kassamba Abdel Aziz Diaby, Meryem Guennoun, Betty Rose Nabifo, Mohamed Elattar, Andoniaina Rajaonarivelo, Privatus Pius, Molly Nkamogelang Kgobathe, Immanuel Luis, Sigrid Shilunga, Nejmeddine Etteyeb, Keketso Qhomane, Samuel Nyangi, Tresford Chilufya Kalunga, Nunes Alfredo Assano, Edson Domingos Jequecene, Mafuka Lusala Joseph, Esaenwi Sudum, Jorbedom Leelabari Gerald, Christopher Tombe Louis Gore, Kareem Waleed Hosny, Nagat Yasser, Jocelyn Franck, Mamoudou Kourouma, Baboucarr Bobb, Kebab Jaiteh, Salma Sylla, Hans Essone Obame, Dennis Kiyeng, Thobekile Sandra Ngwanw, Tawanda Kelvin Simon, Saja Alhoush Sulayman, Salma Regaibi, Souley Yahaya, Tengwi Mogou Ornela, Henry Sanderson Viyuyi, Fortune Tatenda Matambo, Matthias Asare-Darko, Christian Kontoa Koussouwa Gbaba, Moisés da Silva, Ntahompagaze Joseph, Gilberto Gomes, Bongiwe Portia Mkhabela, Bauleni Bvumbwe, Tshombe Nkhowani, Mawugnon Axel Gahou, Sarah Abotsi-Masters, René Simbizi, Salomon Mugisha, Ahmed Saeed, Mohammed Yahya Alradi Eldaw, Allen Thomas, Ben Abdallah ridha, Dieumerci kaseha, Sherine Ahmed El Baradei, Nahla Hazem Hussein, Bado Fabrice, Ngozika Frances Anekwe, Arvind Ramessur, Mohamed Ali Koroma, Harold Safary, Oosthuizen Leonardo, Mdumiseni Wisdom Dabulizwe Dlamini, Mamadou Mahamat Djabbi, Nonofo Angela, Mamaja Jalloh, Mamadou Balde, Joy Olayiwola, Elijah Ibharalu, Thierry Martial Tchangole, Kirubel Memberu, Lidia Dinsa, Chidozie Gospel Ezeakunne","doi":"arxiv-2408.11059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.11059","url":null,"abstract":"Citizen science offers an opportunity for ordinary people, known as citizen\u0000scientists or citizen astronomers in the context of astronomy, to contribute to\u0000scientific research. The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) was\u0000founded to promote and engage the African public in citizen science and soft\u0000astronomy research to advance space research and exploration and enhance space\u0000education and outreach. PACS e-Lab, in collaboration with several international\u0000astronomy research, education, and outreach organizations, currently runs\u0000several projects including but not limited to asteroid search, exoplanet\u0000photometry, research writing for peer-reviewed publications, astrophoto visual\u0000development, and Amateur Radio contact with astronauts aboard the International\u0000Space Station (ARISS). Despite several challenges, the group has engaged over\u0000600 Africans from more than 40 countries and is working towards covering the\u0000entire continent in the future. PACS e-Lab's development efforts resonate with\u0000seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"83 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Journey in Implementing Computational Physics from the Ground Up","authors":"Maria C. Babiuc Hamilton","doi":"arxiv-2408.01844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.01844","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter narrates the journey of developing and integrating computing\u0000into the physics curriculum through three consecutive courses, each tailored to\u0000the learners' level. It starts with the entry-level \"Physics Playground in\u0000Python\" for high school and freshman students with no programming experience,\u0000designed in the spirit of the \"Hello World\" approach. At the sophomore and\u0000junior level, students from all sciences and engineering disciplines learn\u0000\"Scientific Computing with Python\" in an environment based on the \"Two Bites at\u0000Every Apple\" approach. Ultimately, upper undergraduate and entry-level graduate\u0000students take \"Computational Physics,\" to develop their skills in solving\u0000advanced problems using complex numerical algorithms and computational tools.\u0000This journey showcases the increasing complexity and sophistication of\u0000computational tools and techniques that can be incorporated into the physical\u0000science curriculum, serving as a guide for educators looking to integrate\u0000computing into their teaching. It also aims to inspire students by showcasing\u0000the impact and potential of computational methods in science education and\u0000research.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141933906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating introductory and advanced students' difficulties with entropy and the second law of thermodynamics using a validated instrument","authors":"Mary Jane Brundage, David E. Meltzer, Chandralekha Singh","doi":"arxiv-2408.00944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/arxiv-2408.00944","url":null,"abstract":"We use the Survey of Thermodynamic Processes and First and Second Laws-Long\u0000(STPFaSL-Long), a research-based survey instrument with 78 items at the level\u0000of introductory physics, to investigate introductory and advanced students'\u0000difficulties with entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. We present\u0000analysis of data from 12 different introductory and advanced physics classes at\u0000four different higher education public institutions in the US in which the\u0000survey was administered in-person to more than 1000 students. We find that a\u0000widespread unproductive tendency for introductory students to associate the\u0000properties of entropy with those of energy leads to many errors based on an\u0000idea of \"conservation of entropy,\" in which entropy increases are always\u0000balanced by equal entropy decreases. For many of the more advanced students\u0000(calculus-based and upper level), we detect a tendency to expect entropy\u0000increases even in processes in which the entropy does not change. We observed a\u0000widespread failure to correctly apply the relationship {Delta}S =\u0000{delta}Qreversible/T, either by using it for irreversible processes to which\u0000it does not apply, or by applying it incorrectly or completely neglecting it in\u0000reversible processes to which it does apply. We also noted that many\u0000introductory students are simply not aware that total entropy must increase in\u0000any \"spontaneous\" heat transfer process. Students at all levels were very\u0000frequently found to be confused that while net entropy (system + reservoir) in\u0000reversible isothermal processes does not change, the entropy of the working\u0000substance itself does indeed increase or decrease depending on whether the\u0000process is an expansion or compression. Our findings are broadly consistent\u0000with prior research findings in this area, expanding upon them and revealing\u0000previously unreported aspects of students' thinking.","PeriodicalId":501565,"journal":{"name":"arXiv - PHYS - Physics Education","volume":"86 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141933907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}