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Conference: Big money at teacher conference Conference: Physics truly is international Advancing science: Physics education fun in York Festival: A science fair in the middle of the street Website: Physics ethics project launches website Competition: UK Olympiad team goes to Iran Forthcoming Events

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The following experiment consists of analysing and synthesizing, with the aid of computer hardware and software, the waves produced by musical instruments. It provides an example of a practical use for Fourier analysis and lays the foundation of a conceptual framework from which further, more in-depth, study could follow. Even though Fourier analysis is complex mathematics, the exercise is suitable for a general-education descriptive 'Physics of Music' or 'Science of Sound' course, similar to the course for which it was developed and used, as well as higher level courses such as introductory physics.

The paper describes a teaching model of the atomic force microscope (AFM), which proved to be successful in the role of an introduction to nanoscience in high school. The model can demonstrate the two modes of operation of the AFM (contact mode and oscillating mode) as well as some basic principles that limit the resolution of the method. It can be used either as a demonstration experiment, simple laboratory experiment or home experiment that students can make by themselves.

An electronic system for the conversion of a liquid level into voltage is shown. This allows the student to carry out basic hydrodynamic experiments where fast liquid level changes occur. The use of this system is illustrated with the classic draining tank experiment.

This paper deals with the possibility of using a common video camera as a detector of near-infrared radiation in physical demonstrations. After a brief theoretical description of the physical basis of infrared detection, a set of experiments is presented. Most of the experiments can be done with relatively simple and easily accessible equipment. These experiments are intended for use in physics courses at all educational levels, ranging from basic schools up to universities.

A low-cost computer-based tensile testing apparatus is described that allows a graphical display of force–extension curves during the stretching of specimens in real time. The experiment is based on a graphics tablet combined with a force sensor. It can be used in a material science laboratory to investigate elastic and plastic deformations in different materials and to model the underlying molecular mechanisms. Measurements on wires, rubber bands and spider silk are discussed in terms of energy and entropy spring models of elastic forces. Entropy springs play an important role in soft matter and underlie the intriguing mechanical properties of many biological materials.

Teaching about light and sound is to teach about the processes of hearing and seeing. In considering the kinds of leading questions that we might ask in teaching, I suggest that a rethinking of how we consider the contribution of the energetic descriptions to this area will probably help to make these questions more fruitful. A subtly changed focus to a teacher's questioning will: allow more coherence across these and other topics; make more of the fundamental model; do less to lead learners off up some well-explored wrong tracks; and do more to exploit everyday experiences and concerns.

An interesting conceptual question, regarding the actual position of the Sun at sunset or sunrise, is analysed and discussed in terms of fixed versus rotating frames of reference. A simple, educational experiment can be easily set up to demonstrate this effect and introduce topics such as rotating systems, apparent motion and the Coriolis effect.

In this paper we describe a diagnostic study to investigate students' understanding of two basic formulae in physics. Based on the findings of the study, we have developed a classroom activity focused on the interpretation of formulae. The activity was developed cooperatively by physics education researchers and high-school physics teachers and was tried out in the teachers' classrooms. We describe the activity and present findings about students' attitudes towards the activity and the progress in students' understanding of three formulae.

Fermi problems, or order of magnitude estimates, are often used in introductory physics courses. In this paper I will show that first year students studying physics at university do not arrive with the skill set to solve these problems, and they have to be actively taught how to solve them. Once they have been shown how to solve Fermi problems, the above-average students in the class usually perform slightly better on Fermi problems in examinations than they do on more traditional physics problems. However, many students who are below average in overall grade find the Fermi problems even more challenging than the traditional problems.

A simple interface between VPython and Microsoft (MS) Office products such as Word and Excel, controlled by Visual Basic for Applications, is described. The interface allows the preparation of content-rich, interactive learning environments by taking advantage of the three-dimensional (3D) visualization capabilities of VPython and the GUI capabilities of MS Office. MS Office provides the user interface for data input. The data are stored in a text file, which is read by VPython and used in 3D graphical simulations. Use of the interface is illustrated by working through an example of the motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field. A user interface designed in Excel allows the student to input data on the charge and the mass of the particle, the initial conditions and the magnetic field. The data are then saved in a text file. VPython reads the data and renders the 3D graphics visualization of the motion. Interactivity is ensured since the student can change the data and directly observe the changes in motion.

The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to concepts of short-range and long-range scattering, and engage them in using indirect measurements and probabilistic models. The activity uses simple and readily available apparatus, and can be adapted for use with secondary level students as well as those in general physics courses or teacher training programmes at the college level.

This paper presents a way to deal with the trajectories of some pendulums, such as the simple pendulum, the conical pendulum, and the Foucault pendulum. With a simulator designed by us for displaying the behaviour of the Foucault pendulum, it is simple and convenient to obtain such a trajectory on a piece of paper; this is useful and helpful for students and teachers engaged in college physics courses.

INTERVIEW Lucy reaches out to young mindsLucy Hawking, journalist, author and daughter of Stephen Hawking, has co-written a book for children with her father, which was published in September. Kerry Parker, physics teacher and science faculty coordinator at Auckland Girls' Grammar School, caught up with her during a whirlwind visit to the city.

WE RECOMMEND

George's Secret Key to the Universe A simple story to introduce children to physics

Looking Through Glass A fascinating DVD that covers the history and science of glass

Glow-in-the-dark gloves and UV blacklight Fun new way to teach photoelectric emission

WORTH A LOOK

Mathematics for Physics High-level text that might prove useful for further reading

Colour Dot An electronic device to replace that cranky old projector

Polarity Board game fun centred around physics concepts

HANDLE WITH CARE

The Road to Mars A book that you may enjoy but keep it safely away from the kids

Physics Concepts and Connections, 4th revised edition Well-written but over-specific text is not suited to the UK

WEB WATCH Glen Gilchrist hunts down resources for teaching sensing and receives some help in the programming challenge

To buoy or not to buoy?Carl E Mungan

Reply to the letter from the authors of 'Some simple observations on buoyancy'B M Valiyov and V D Yegorenkov

Some physicist humour ...Gary Williams