Some Comments on Modern Physics (original) (raw)
Related papers
About the Peculiar Aspects of Relativity and Beyond: A Pedagogical Perspective
American Journal of Educational Research, 2014
In this paper a pedagogical, but rigorous introduction to the key concepts of relativity is presented. Starting by the notions of space and time, of fundamental importance for the evolution for the global knowledge of children already in the primary school, we arrive to indications about the teaching of relativity in high school and university. Interesting considerations related to fascinating topics, like the evolution of the concept of space-time and the unusual amazing peculiarities emerging by the extensions of relativity, will be done.
Comparative teaching strategies in special relativity
Physics Curriculum Design, Development …, 2008
The introduction of modern physics topics in secondary schools is one of the highest challenges in physics education. In this regard, a specific exercise has been carried out in the context of a dedicated Summer School involving both teachers with a Master in Education and secondary school students previously acquainted with these teachers. In the case of enlightening and overcoming conceptual and learning problems-with a deep insight to concepts and terms in contrast with common sense and everyday experience-a dedicated analysis of two different curricular proposals is outlined, showing possible weaknesses and strengths in both teaching frameworks and approaches.
Senior Students’ Comprehension of Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal , 2023
Physics is perceived as a difficult subject for secondary and tertiary students. Hence, this study was made to find out the comprehension of Senior High School Students on Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Descriptive research design was employed in the study. Data showed that most of the respondents were females, 16 years old and had an average physics grade of 87. Findings revealed that the respondents' comprehension was associated with their average physics grade since both male and female respondents performed equally in post comprehension. However, the respondents' pre and post comprehension showed a significant difference. This implies that the respondents' performance in post comprehension is better than in the pre-comprehension.
CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research - Zenodo, 2022
This study focused on the non-STEM learners' level of conceptual understanding and misconceptions about the Special Theory of Relativity. The participants were the 89 non-STEM learners identified through convenience sampling. A higher percentage distribution revealed that non-STEM learners have less to no understanding of the concepts on STR reflective of the pretest and post-test scores with several incorrect responses. This also showed that the learners lack understanding of the concept of mass-energy equivalence. A t-test for paired samples revealed that there is no significant difference in the pre-test and post-test scores of the learners which means that the conventional method of teaching and learning the concept may not be enough to address their conceptions. The researchers recommend exploring pedagogical interventions that promote interactive engagement coupled with a learning material that will simplify highly abstract scientific concepts for better student learning.
Science & Education, 2007
This work investigates the presence of Thought Experiments (TEs) which refer to the theory of relativity and to quantum mechanics in physics textbooks and in books popularizing physics theories. A further point of investigation is whether TEs – as presented in popular physics books – can be used as an introduction to familiarize secondary school students with physics theories of the 20th century. The study of textbooks and popular physics books showed that authors of both types of books consider TEs as an important tool when presenting the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Furthermore, a qualitative research conducted in secondary education revealed that the historical TEs which were transformed into forms accessible to the public could trigger students’ interest and act as educational material to familiarize them with concepts and principles of the 20th century physics.
Informal Teaching of Special Theory of Relativity
Scientia in educatione, 2017
In the present Case Study we explore the comprehension levels of relativity theory in prospective science teachers who take the introduction to physics lesson at the Faculty of Education. Special Theory of Relativity multimedia animation was used to illustrate basic relativistic consequences. The effect of it for learning was researched. In the research, a case study was used. Research data were obtained by interviews and using open-ended questions prepared by the researcher.
International Journal of Academic Research, 2013
In this study, the viewpoints of physics teacher candidates at undergraduate level towards the concepts in special theory of relativity and the interpretations they made about these concepts were investigated. The viewpoints of the teacher candidates towards the concepts in the subject of special theory of relativity were revealed with six open ended questions prepared by the writers who are physics teachers as well. The research is a qualitative study and the study was conducted with eighteen teacher candidates. In this study, case study, one of the methods of qualitative research, was used. The study group of the research was chosen by convenience sampling. The data collected via open ended questions was analysed by descriptive analysis method. According to the results of the study, it was revealed that most of the students have not been introduced to the special theory of relativity and the concepts related to them. It could be stated that the candidates had difficulty with the relativity of time and its reference frame. Most of the teacher candidates could not make the interpretation that the speed of light was the limit speed and no other object could reach that speed.