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School science goes to the ISS Brecon gets new science facility UK sixth-formers reach for the stars Teacher-training workshop is a big hit in Namibia Free physics-teaching conference looks promising

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In this paper we describe a teaching approach focusing on modelling in physics, emphasizing scientific reasoning based on empirical data and using the notion of multiple representations of physical phenomena as a framework. We describe modelling activities from a project (PHYS 21) and relate some experiences from implementation of the modelling approach in Norwegian upper secondary physics classrooms.

Lenz's law is sometimes invoked to explain the behaviour of the jumping, or levitating, ring. This is shown to be incomplete, and an alternative explanation using Faraday's laws and circuit analysis is offered. This leads to the choice of optimum material and dimensions for the ring.

Photoelectrochemical cells using dye-sensitized ZnO with a Cu²⁺/Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ electrolyte can be easily made at home or in a school classroom with household chemicals and other readily available materials. The cells, which are made with wire housed within plastic drinking straws, have open-circuit voltages of 0.5–0.7 V and short-circuit currents of about 0.5–2.5 mA cm⁻². Step-by-step instructions are provided on how to construct the photoelectrochemical cells, as are suggestions about how to use the cells to explore some concepts associated with utilizing solar energy.

A 2 m long wooden beam provides an ideal demonstration tool for exploring moments. A class set is cheap and can be used at introductory and advanced levels. This article explores how such beams can be used to support learning about moments, equilibrium, vectors, and simultaneous equations.

Human walking is a complicated motion. Movement scientists have developed various research methods to study gait. This article describes how a high school student collected and analysed high quality gait data in much the same way that movement scientists do, via the recording and measurement of motions with a video analysis tool and via electromyography, i.e., the measurement of muscle activity. Physics, biology, and mathematics come together in this practical investigation work at a rather high level. It shows that science learning at school can resemble science practice in research laboratories, provided that students have adequate tools.

Computer games such as Unreal Tournament (UT2004 and UT3) contain a 'physics engine' responsible for producing believable dynamic interactions between players and objects in the three-dimensional (3D) virtual world of a game. Through a series of probing experiments we have evaluated the fidelity and internal consistency of the UT2004 physics engine. These experiments have then led to the production of resources which may be used by learners and teachers of secondary-school physics. We also suggest an approach to learning, where both teachers and pupils may produce learning materials using the Unreal Tournament editor 'UnrealEd'.

A well-known experiment for the measurement of the acceleration of gravity is carried out on a personal computer using standard software for a sound card in a non-canonical way, which provides an improved, more accurate, result and is a useful teaching method for a traditional classroom experiment.

A new method is introduced to study the behaviour of the falling spherical ball in a viscous liquid using the well known Stokes' law. Experimental results are compared with those obtained by numerical calculations. Upper limits on the size and mass of the spherical balls of different materials used in the experiment are presented.

A force spectroscopy model experiment is presented using a low-cost tensile apparatus described earlier. Force–extension measurements of twisted rubber bands are obtained. They exhibit a complex nonlinear elastic behaviour that resembles atomic force spectroscopy investigations of molecules of titin, a muscle protein. The model experiments open up intriguing possibilities to stimulate insight into entropy-driven self-organization of soft biological matter at the nanometre scale and into protein folding by hands-on experience and analogical transfer.

The reaction time of a group of students majoring in physics is reported here. Strong correlation between fatigue, reaction time and performance has been observed and may be useful for academicians and administrators responsible for working out timetables, course structures, student counsellings, etc.

This short article describes some useful and quick applications of a cooking electronic balance. Newton's third law, Archimedes buoyancy and an estimate of relative density are accomplished in a very simple way.

In the 'Third Day' of the Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Concerning Two New Sciences Galileo Galilei describes the famous experiment of the inclined plane and uses it to bring an experimental confirmation to the laws of uniformly accelerated motion. We describe a reconstruction of the experiment and how the results can be used for students when studying the laws of motion.

INTERVIEW Interview: How Google conquered the skyCarol Christian and Alberto Conti work at the Space Telescope Science Institute (the home of Hubble) in Baltimore and co-created Sky in Google Earth. David Smith spoke to them between stage appearances at Astrofest

WE RECOMMEND

Why the Sky is Blue This book gives an excellent answer to the age-old question

Science Magic Book of experiments finds the fun in physics

Function Generator Kit Build your own simple wave generator

Dent pullers Instead of using them to pull out dents, get your pupils to pull them apart

Rocket Tracker Launch and track rockets with this kit

Stephen Hawking, A biograpy This book looks at both the science and the personal life of the famous physicist

WORTH A LOOK

The Universe and the Atom All-encompassing but uninspiring physics book

Sizzling Magnets Another cheap toy proves its usefulness in the physics lab

Efergy Energy-saving meter is easy to use but may not save you energy

Experiments and Demonstrations in Physics This book is full of interesting experiments but skewed to a particular hardware system

WEB WATCH Gary Williams recounts the valuable lessons he learned at the Software 4 Skint Schools workshop