This study explored whether learning-related anxiety would negatively affect intention to persist with e-learning among students with visual impairment, and examined the roles of three online interactions in the relationship between learning-related an…

Open Educational Resources (OER) have the potential to replace traditional textbooks in higher education.  Previous studies indicate that use of OER results in high student and faculty satisfaction, lower costs, and similar or better educational outcomes. In this case study, we compared students using traditional textbooks with those using OER at Tidewater Community College to compare their performance on what we call course throughput rates, which is an aggregate of three variables – drop rates, withdrawal rates, and C or better rates. Two self-selecting cohorts were compared over four semesters, with statistically significant results. The study found that, subject to the limitations discussed, students who use OER perform significantly better on the course throughput rate than their peers who use traditional textbooks, in both face-to-face and online courses that use OER. This suggests that OER are a promising avenue for reducing the costs of higher education while increasing academic success.

The paper explores the change process that university teachers need to go through in order to become fluent with Open Education approaches. Based on a literature review and a set of interviews with a number of leading experts in the field of Open Educational Resources and Open Education, the paper puts forward an original definition of Open Educator which takes into account all the components of teachers’ work: learning design, teaching resources, pedagogical approaches and assessment methods- of teachers’ activities. Subsequently, to help the development of teachers’ openness capacity, the definition is further developed into a holistic framework for teachers, which takes into account all the dimensions of openness included in the definition and which provides teachers with self-development paths along each dimension. By working on the definition and on the framework with the interviewed experts, the paper concludes that a strong relation exists between the use of open approaches and the networking and collaboration attitude of university teachers, and that in order to overcome the technical and cultural barriers that hinder the use of open approaches in Higher Education, it is important to work on the transition phases – in terms of awareness and of capacity building – that teachers have to go through in their journey towards openness.

The discovery of electromagnetic induction in the early part of the 19th century is one of the
greatest scientific achievements of all time, and it has had tremendous technological consequences.
The credit for this discovery rightfully goes to the gr…

The bead on a rotating hoop is a typical problem in mechanics, frequently posed to junior science
and engineering students in basic physics courses. Although this system has a rich dynamics, it is
usually not analysed beyond the point particle approx…

The subject of electrical impedance is on the syllabi of most undergraduate courses in physics and
electrical engineering. For example, Richard Feynman in his famous undergraduate text Lectures on
Physics shows how to calculate the impedance of an in…

We present an elementary discussion of the momentum transferred to a conducting sheet by an
electromagnetic wave propagating in a linear homogeneous polarisable medium. We show that
conservation of momentum is consistent with Minkowski’s expression…

The Schrödinger equation for a particle moving in a square well potential with BenDaniel–Duke
boundary conditions is solved. Using algebraic approximations for trigonometric functions, the
transcendental equations of the bound states energy are tr…

The subject of electrical impedance is on the syllabi of most undergraduate courses in physics and
electrical engineering. For example, Richard Feynman in his famous undergraduate text Lectures on
Physics shows how to calculate the impedance of an in…

We present an elementary discussion of the momentum transferred to a conducting sheet by an
electromagnetic wave propagating in a linear homogeneous polarisable medium. We show that
conservation of momentum is consistent with Minkowski’s expression…

The bead on a rotating hoop is a typical problem in mechanics, frequently posed to junior science
and engineering students in basic physics courses. Although this system has a rich dynamics, it is
usually not analysed beyond the point particle approx…

The Schrödinger equation for a particle moving in a square well potential with BenDaniel–Duke
boundary conditions is solved. Using algebraic approximations for trigonometric functions, the
transcendental equations of the bound states energy are tr…

Direct variational methods are used to find simple approximate solutions of the Thomas–Fermi
equations describing the properties of self-gravitating radially symmetric stellar objects both in
the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic cases. The a…

We propose an epistemic measure of physics in terms of the ability to discriminate between the
purely mathematical, physical (i.e. dependent on empirical inputs) and nominal (i.e. empty of
mathematical or physical content) propositions appearing in a…

The present work highlights how, in order to characterize the motion of a variable mass pendulum,
wavelet analysis can be an effective tool in furnishing information on the time evolution of the
oscillation spectral content. In particular, the wavele…

The constant pi, or π , is one of the oldest and most recognizable irrational constants. It was
known from the earliest days of mathematics and the sciences. Over the ages, many methods of varying
complexity have been used to estimate π . This arti…

In the study of systems with an infinite number of particles, the results of indeterminism through
deterministic collisions have until now usually made use of the temporal symmetry of mechanics. In
this paper we take a more general path. This path fu…

This is the second part of a broader investigation which explores the reasons behind the contextual
variations in student responses at a fine-grained level. In the previous article (John 2017 Eur. J.
Phys. 38 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/38/1…

This is the first part of a broader study, exploring the contextual variations of the responses of
149 first year (non-physics major) university students at two South African universities in Cape
Town. The data analysis was done in terms of the (i) f…

Interference resides deeply in our understanding of the wave properties of light. In this paper, the
century famous Sagnac effect is demonstrated to be independent of the rotation axis position, using
a rotating ring optical fiber in a straightforwar…

A linear study of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability based on momentum conservation and the
consideration of an irrotational velocity field for incompressible perturbations is discussed. The
theory allows for a very appealing physical picture and for …

The present work highlights how, in order to characterize the motion of a variable mass pendulum,
wavelet analysis can be an effective tool in furnishing information on the time evolution of the
oscillation spectral content. In particular, the wavele…

In the study of systems with an infinite number of particles, the results of indeterminism through
deterministic collisions have until now usually made use of the temporal symmetry of mechanics. In
this paper we take a more general path. This path fu…

We propose an epistemic measure of physics in terms of the ability to discriminate between the
purely mathematical, physical (i.e. dependent on empirical inputs) and nominal (i.e. empty of
mathematical or physical content) propositions appearing in a…

Direct variational methods are used to find simple approximate solutions of the Thomas–Fermi
equations describing the properties of self-gravitating radially symmetric stellar objects both in
the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic cases. The a…

A linear study of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability based on momentum conservation and the
consideration of an irrotational velocity field for incompressible perturbations is discussed. The
theory allows for a very appealing physical picture and for …

Interference resides deeply in our understanding of the wave properties of light. In this paper, the
century famous Sagnac effect is demonstrated to be independent of the rotation axis position, using
a rotating ring optical fiber in a straightforwar…

The constant pi, or π , is one of the oldest and most recognizable irrational constants. It was
known from the earliest days of mathematics and the sciences. Over the ages, many methods of varying
complexity have been used to estimate π . This arti…

This is the first part of a broader study, exploring the contextual variations of the responses of
149 first year (non-physics major) university students at two South African universities in Cape
Town. The data analysis was done in terms of the (i) f…

This is the second part of a broader investigation which explores the reasons behind the contextual
variations in student responses at a fine-grained level. In the previous article (John 2017 Eur. J.
Phys. 38 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/38/1…

We started this work with the goal of detecting misconceptions held by our students about force and
motion. A total of 341 students participated in this study by taking the force concept inventory
(FCI) test both before and after receiving instructio…

It is essential that physics undergraduates are appropriately prepared for the mathematical demands
of their course. This study investigated physics students’ perceptions of post-compulsory
mathematics as preparation for their degree course. 494 ph…

The Bright Lights: Big Experiments! public engagement project enabled high school students Scottish
S2 to prepare a short, 5 min video using their own words and in their own style to present a
scientific experiment on the theme of light to their co…

Crosscutting concepts like patterns and models are fundamental parts in both the American framework
of science education (from the AAAS) and our proposals for a new science education framework in
Flanders. These concepts deepen the insight of both st…

We started this work with the goal of detecting misconceptions held by our students about force and
motion. A total of 341 students participated in this study by taking the force concept inventory
(FCI) test both before and after receiving instructio…

It is essential that physics undergraduates are appropriately prepared for the mathematical demands
of their course. This study investigated physics students’ perceptions of post-compulsory
mathematics as preparation for their degree course. 494 ph…

The Bright Lights: Big Experiments! public engagement project enabled high school students Scottish
S2 to prepare a short, 5 min video using their own words and in their own style to present a
scientific experiment on the theme of light to their co…

Crosscutting concepts like patterns and models are fundamental parts in both the American framework
of science education (from the AAAS) and our proposals for a new science education framework in
Flanders. These concepts deepen the insight of both st…

We use an exact solution of the elastic membrane shape equation, representing the curvature, which
will serve as a quantum potential in the quantum mechanical two dimensional Schrödinger equation for
a (quasi-) particle on the surface of the membran…

In molecular systems, positive and negative charges are separated, making them ideal systems to
examine electrostatic interactions. The attractive force between positive and negative charges is
balanced by repulsive ‘forces’ that are quantum-mech…

The case for the utility of Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates in the classroom made by Augousti et al in
this journal (2012 Eur. J. Phys. 33 [http://https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/33/1/001] 1–11 ) is
strengthened by extending their discussion beyo…

The ‘flying chimney’, where a paper cylinder floats when set alight, is an interesting phenomenon
that lacks both systematic theoretical and experimental investigation. To investigate the dynamics
of liftoff, an appropriate chimney material was f…

A negative refractive index medium, in which all spatial coordinates are reversed (i.e. a left-hand
triplet is formed) by a spatial folding transformation, can create many novel electromagnetic
phenomena, e.g. backward wave propagation, and inversed …

The interpretation of complex trajectories of rigid bodies by the identification of their centre of
mass (CM), has a large potential for improving the understanding of the concept of CM at college and
university level. Therefore, it is not surprising…

We use an exact solution of the elastic membrane shape equation, representing the curvature, which
will serve as a quantum potential in the quantum mechanical two dimensional Schrödinger equation for
a (quasi-) particle on the surface of the membran…

In molecular systems, positive and negative charges are separated, making them ideal systems to
examine electrostatic interactions. The attractive force between positive and negative charges is
balanced by repulsive ‘forces’ that are quantum-mech…

The case for the utility of Kruskal–Szekeres coordinates in the classroom made by Augousti et al in
this journal (2012 Eur. J. Phys. 33 [http://https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/33/1/001] 1–11 ) is
strengthened by extending their discussion beyo…

The ‘flying chimney’, where a paper cylinder floats when set alight, is an interesting phenomenon
that lacks both systematic theoretical and experimental investigation. To investigate the dynamics
of liftoff, an appropriate chimney material was f…

A negative refractive index medium, in which all spatial coordinates are reversed (i.e. a left-hand
triplet is formed) by a spatial folding transformation, can create many novel electromagnetic
phenomena, e.g. backward wave propagation, and inversed …

The interpretation of complex trajectories of rigid bodies by the identification of their centre of
mass (CM), has a large potential for improving the understanding of the concept of CM at college and
university level. Therefore, it is not surprising…

Quantum mechanics (QM) forms the most crucial ingredient of modern-era physical science curricula at
undergraduate level. The abstract ideas involved in QM related concepts pose a challenge towards
appropriate visualization as a consequence of their …

Quantum mechanics (QM) forms the most crucial ingredient of modern-era physical science curricula at
undergraduate level. The abstract ideas involved in QM related concepts pose a challenge towards
appropriate visualization as a consequence of their …

The kinematics of a free-kick is studied. As in projectile motion, the free-kick is ideal since we
assume that a point-like ball moves in the absence of air resistance. We have experienced the
fortunate conjuncture of a classical mechanics lecture ta…

In this paper we address the emergence of one of the most common instruments in 19th century physics
laboratories, Melloni’s optical bench, relying on the analysis of the most significant historical
documents. This apparatus, devised in 1835 by Mac…

The kinematics of a free-kick is studied. As in projectile motion, the free-kick is ideal since we
assume that a point-like ball moves in the absence of air resistance. We have experienced the
fortunate conjuncture of a classical mechanics lecture ta…

In this paper we address the emergence of one of the most common instruments in 19th century physics
laboratories, Melloni’s optical bench, relying on the analysis of the most significant historical
documents. This apparatus, devised in 1835 by Mac…

In this paper I briefly discuss and compare four easy derivations of the Lorentz transformations.
Two of these derivations assume the invariance of the Minkowski spacetime interval in inertial
frames and the other two assume the invariance of the d?…

This paper presents an educational approach for teaching natural radioactivity using commercial
granite samples. A laboratory activity focusing on the topic of natural radioactivity is designed to
develop the knowledge and understanding of undergradu…

In this comment we make some clarifications with respect to certain asumptions and demands required
by Ricardo Heras in his paper entitled ‘Lorentz transformations and the wave equation’ (2016 Eur. J.
Phys. 37 [http://https://doi.org/10.1088/0143…

This paper presents an educational approach for teaching natural radioactivity using commercial
granite samples. A laboratory activity focusing on the topic of natural radioactivity is designed to
develop the knowledge and understanding of undergradu…

In this comment we make some clarifications with respect to certain asumptions and demands required
by Ricardo Heras in his paper entitled ‘Lorentz transformations and the wave equation’ (2016 Eur. J.
Phys. 37 [http://https://doi.org/10.1088/0143…

In this paper I briefly discuss and compare four easy derivations of the Lorentz transformations.
Two of these derivations assume the invariance of the Minkowski spacetime interval in inertial
frames and the other two assume the invariance of the d?…

Studies of the two-dimensional motion of a magnet sphere in the presence of a second, fixed sphere
provide a convenient venue for exploring magnet–magnet interactions, inertia, friction, and rich
nonlinear dynamical behavior. These studies exploit …

Studies of the two-dimensional motion of a magnet sphere in the presence of a second, fixed sphere
provide a convenient venue for exploring magnet–magnet interactions, inertia, friction, and rich
nonlinear dynamical behavior. These studies exploit …

In college physics courses, treatment of the Doppler effect is usually done far from the first
introduction to kinematics. This paper aims to apply a graphical treatment to describe the
gravitational redshift, by considering the Doppler effect in two…

Mechanisms of heat transfer and Newton’s law of cooling are introduced in the first physics and
biophysics courses for a number of university science majors. Several papers have commented on the
derivation of the exponential decay and validity of t…

We explore the similarities and differences between the electric dipole studied in introductory
physics and the purportedly equivalent elementary experiment in which the electric potential is
measured on a conductive sheet as a current flows. The for…

We consider a one-dimensional molecule with a permanent electric dipole moment incident along the
line of symmetry of a circular hole in an infinite two-dimensional conducting sheet. We calculate
the probabilities of reflection p R and transmission p…

Mechanical angular momentum is not conserved in systems involving electromagnetic fields with
non-zero electromagnetic field angular momentum. Conservation is restored only if the total
(mechanical and field) angular momentum is considered. Previous …

The linear electric and magnetic susceptibilities exhibit different values in Gaussian and SI units
even when these constants are dimensionless. In this note we fix this practical inconvenience by
redefining the permittivity and permeability of a lin…

We explore the similarities and differences between the electric dipole studied in introductory
physics and the purportedly equivalent elementary experiment in which the electric potential is
measured on a conductive sheet as a current flows. The for…

Mechanisms of heat transfer and Newton’s law of cooling are introduced in the first physics and
biophysics courses for a number of university science majors. Several papers have commented on the
derivation of the exponential decay and validity of t…

The linear electric and magnetic susceptibilities exhibit different values in Gaussian and SI units
even when these constants are dimensionless. In this note we fix this practical inconvenience by
redefining the permittivity and permeability of a lin…

In college physics courses, treatment of the Doppler effect is usually done far from the first
introduction to kinematics. This paper aims to apply a graphical treatment to describe the
gravitational redshift, by considering the Doppler effect in two…

The evaluation of the magnetic field inside and outside a uniform current density infinite solenoid
of uniform cross-section is an elementary problem in classical electrodynamics that all
undergraduate Physics students study. Symmetry properties of t…

We construct the Hermitian Schrödinger Hamiltonian of spin-less particles and the gauge-covariant
Pauli Hamiltonian of spin one-half particles in a magnetic field, which are confined to cylindrical
and spherical surfaces. The approach does not requi…

The construction of two demonstrators of thermoacoustic engines is proposed in this paper, using
common material from hardware stores. A brief discussion about the thermoacoustic effect highlights
the main parameters controlling the generation of sel…

Newton described gravity as an attractive force between two masses but Einstein’s General Theory of
Relativity provides a very different explanation. Implicit in Einstein’s theory is the idea that
gravitational effects are the result of a distort…

Newton described gravity as an attractive force between two masses but Einstein?s General Theory of
Relativity provides a very different explanation. Implicit in Einstein?s theory is the idea that
gravitational effects are the result of a distortion …

The year 2014 marked the four-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of Galileo’s birth, making it the
perfect occasion to present and illustrate a G eo G ebra applet which reproduces some of Galileo’s
celebrated experiments on the uniformly accelerate…

Gamma imaging is at the interface of medicine and physics and thus its teaching is important in both
fields. Pedagogic literature highlights the benefits of interactive demonstrations in teaching: an
increase in enjoyment and interest, as well as imp…

This research aimed to investigate whether online problem based learning (PBL) approach to teach
renewable energy topic improves students’ behaviour towards energy conservation. A renewable energy
online problem based learning (REePBaL) instruction…

The Doppler effect has seen widespread use in the past hundred years. It is used for medical
imaging, for measuring speed, temperature, direction, etc, and it makes the spatial relations of
motion easy to map. The Doppler effect also allows GPS recei…

We provide a design for a low cost orientable search coil that can be used to investigate the
variation of magnetic flux with angle. This experiment is one of the required practical activities
in the current A level physics specification for the AQA …

Gamma imaging is at the interface of medicine and physics and thus its teaching is important in both
fields. Pedagogic literature highlights the benefits of interactive demonstrations in teaching: an
increase in enjoyment and interest, as well as imp…

The Doppler effect has seen widespread use in the past hundred years. It is used for medical
imaging, for measuring speed, temperature, direction, etc, and it makes the spatial relations of
motion easy to map. The Doppler effect also allows GPS recei…

The year 2014 marked the four-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of Galileo’s birth, making it the
perfect occasion to present and illustrate a G eo G ebra applet which reproduces some of Galileo’s
celebrated experiments on the uniformly accelerate…

Gamma imaging is at the interface of medicine and physics and thus its teaching is important in both
fields. Pedagogic literature highlights the benefits of interactive demonstrations in teaching: an
increase in enjoyment and interest, as well as imp…

This research aimed to investigate whether online problem based learning (PBL) approach to teach
renewable energy topic improves students’ behaviour towards energy conservation. A renewable energy
online problem based learning (REePBaL) instruction…

The Doppler effect has seen widespread use in the past hundred years. It is used for medical
imaging, for measuring speed, temperature, direction, etc, and it makes the spatial relations of
motion easy to map. The Doppler effect also allows GPS recei…

We provide a design for a low cost orientable search coil that can be used to investigate the
variation of magnetic flux with angle. This experiment is one of the required practical activities
in the current A level physics specification for the AQA …

It is stated in many textbooks that Maxwell’s equations are manifestly covariant when written down
in tensorial form. We recall that tensorial form of Maxwell’s equations does not secure their
tensorial contents ; they become covariant by postulating…

3D printing presents an attractive alternative to visual representation of physical datasets such as
astronomical images that can be used for research, outreach or teaching purposes, and is especially
relevant to people with a visual disability. We h…

Description unavailable

Croquet is a sport that is similar to billiards in that it involves the collision of one ball with
another. Measurements and calculations are presented for three typical shots, one known as a
straight croquet, one known as a split croquet and the oth…

In many texts, the transition from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics is achieved by
substituting the action for the phase angle. The paper presents a different approach to show some
connections between classical and quantum mechanics for a sin…

In this work we present the original ideas and the construction of the rigid bodies theory realised
by Leonhard Euler between 1738 and 1775. The number of treatises written by Euler on this subject is
enormous, including the most notorious Scien…

The Hertzian dipole is fundamental to the understanding of dipole radiation. It provides basic
insights into the genesis of electromagnetic waves and lays the groundwork for an understanding of
half-wave antennae and other types. Equations for the el…

This frontline seeks to reinterpret a classic kinematic experiment that aims to mark the position
and temporal instants of a fictional mobile object in a uniform motion, creating a table based on
position × time and a linear graphic format. Generall…