EDU-513

Teaching of Physics
INTRODUCTION
Scientific method

 The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore

observations and answer questions. Some areas of science can be more easily tested than

others to discover cause and effect relationships by asking questions, carefully gathering

and examining the evidence, and seeing if all the available information can be combined

in to a logical answer.
 Observation: To observe around and try to know.

 Ask a Question:
The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What,
When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? For a science fair project some teachers require that the question be
something you can measure, preferably with a number.

 Do Background Research:
Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering your question, you want to be a
savvy scientist using library and Internet research to help you find the best way to do things and ensure
that you don't repeat mistakes from the past
Construct a Hypothesis:

A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer your question with an
explanation that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows you to then make a prediction:
"If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.“

Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment:

Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported or not. It is
important for your experiment to be a fair test. You should also repeat your experiments several times to make
sure that the first results weren't just an accident.
 Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion:
Once your experiment is complete, you collect your measurements and analyze them to see

if they support your hypothesis or not.

Communicate Your Results:

To complete your science fair project you will communicate your results to others in a final

report and/or a display board. Professional scientists do almost exactly the same thing by

publishing their final report in a scientific journal or by presenting their results on a poster or

during a talk at a scientific meeting

 :Educational value of physics
 It involves helping students to see the world in a new way.

 It involves crafting a learning environment where students are able to explore and understand how the
physical world works, and to connect complex scientific concepts to their daily lives.

 It involves building student confidence in their ability to solve challenging problems, and empowering them
to build a better future for themselves and others.

 Teaching physics well requires creativity, thought and an understanding not only of physics but of
psychology, cognition(mental process gaining knowledge) and communication.

 Physics teaching is not a fallback option for those who can't cut it as physicists or engineers.

 It is a path for those with the most creative minds, for those with expansive intellects that appreciate
multifaceted challenges, for those who want to really make a difference, and in an immediately tangible way.
 Physics in relation to Geology
The internal structure of various rocks can be known with 
the study of crystal structure. Age of rocks and fossils can
be known easily with the help of radioactivity, i.e., with
.the help of carbon dating
 Physics in relation to Astronomy
Optical telescope has made it possible to study the motion 
.of various planets and satellites in our solar system
Radio telescope has helped to study the structure of our 
galaxy and to discover pulsars and quasars (heavenly
bodies having star like structure). Pulsars are rapidly
.rotating neutron stars
Doppler effect predicted the expansion of universe. 
Kepler’s laws are responsible to understand the nature of
management of the planets around the sun
Physics in relation to Meteorology

.The variation of pressure with temperature leads to forecast the weather 

 Physics is Everywhere
By looking around our surroundings, we can see lots of 
physics happening
There is also lots of physics happening which our own 
senses cannot detect
:Use of physics in every day life

 Physics extends well into your everyday life, describing the motion, forces

and energy of ordinary experience. In actions such as walking, driving a car or

using a phone, physics is at work.

Simple Mechanical Devices .1

 An easy place to see physics in action is with a simple lever – most easily
observed at a park.
 Levers come in three flavors, each with varying fulcrum locations. They serve
to magnify force, lessening the effort needed to move an object on the opposing
end.
 A simple “see-saw” at a park consists of a lever (the locations for sitting) and the
fulcrum (placed in the middle).
 The two opposing forces counterbalance each other, creating a smooth ride
through the air.
Transportation and Newton's Laws .2

 Cars and trains utilize the wheel, which provides a smooth,

steady motion. Newton's laws of motion are at work as
mechanical force and acceleration, action, reaction and
inertia.
Relativity and Modern Communications .3
 It takes radio signals from several satellites orbiting the
Earth and calculates your location accurate to several
centimeters. The speed and height of the satellites alters
the signal very slightly, the smartphone adjusts the results
using Einstein's theories.
Steam Iron .4

 Right after you wake up in the morning and start preparing for your
school/office, you need an ironed cloth, and that’s where Physics comes
into play.
 The foremost principle of Physics used in the steam iron is “Heat” . Heat,
in Thermodynamics, is a type of energy transfer from a warmer substance
to a colder one.
 Ironing works by having a heated metal base- the soleplate.
Walking .5
  You can easily walk is just because of Physics.
 While you have a walk in a park or on a tar road, you have a
good grip without slipping because of a sort of roughness or
resistance between the soles of your shoes and the surface of the
road.
 This resistance, which is responsible for the grip, is called
“Friction” or “Traction.”
Writing .6
  As your pen moves across the paper the ball turns and gravity
forces the ink down onto the top of the ball where it is
transferred onto the paper.
Car seat-belt .7
 When you tighten your  car seat-belt, it works on the concept of
“Inertia.”
 Inertia is unwillingness or laziness of a body to change its state of
rest or motion.
 In case of a car collision, your seat-belt helps prevent your body
from moving in a forward direction; as your body resists being
stopped because of inertia of motion.
Camera Lens .8

 The phenomenon of “Selfie” has engulfed people of every age

groups.
 You entertain yourself by clicking photos. The Lens used in a
camera works on the principle of Optics.
 The set of convex lenses provide the camera with an image
outside of the camera
Alarm Clock .9

 Physicsgets involved in your daily life right from you wake up in the
morning.
 The buzzing sound of an alarm clock helps you wake up in the morning as
per your schedule.
 The sound is something that you can’t see, but hear or experience. Physics
studies the origin, propagation, and properties of sound.
Batteries .10
 Batteries work on the principle of capacitance. Since the
late 18th century, capacitors have been used to store
electrical energy.
  Benjamin Franklin was the first to coin the phrase
“battery” for a series of capacitors in an energy store
application.
Headphones .11
 The concept of magnetism and sound waves are involved
in the science of your headphone/earphone.
 When you plug your headphone/earphone into an
electrical source, the magnet in your headphone/earphone
creates an electromagnetic field, which ultimately results
in sound waves.
Doppler Radars .12
 To check the over speeding vehicles, police often use Doppler Radars.
Doppler Radars work on the principle of Doppler Effect.
 The Doppler Effect is nothing but a change in the pitch of a sound
when the source of the sound is moving relative to the listener.
 It is because the frequency of the sound wave changes as the source of
sound moves closer to or farther from the listener.
Nuclear power plant .13

  Relativityis one reason that mass and energy can be

converted into each other, which is how nuclear power plants
work, and why the sun shines.
Electricity .14
 The electricity at our house is a gift of physics.
 Hydroelectric project is the method in which water is used
to produce electricity.
 The mechanical energy of the water is converted into
electrical energy using dynamo
Correlation with other branches
Biophysics
 is the field that applies the theories and methods of physics to understand how biological
systems work. Biophysics has been critical to understanding the mechanics of how the
molecules of life are made, how different parts of a cell move and function, and how
complex systems in our bodies the brain, circulation, immune system, and other work.
Biophysics is a vibrant scientific field where scientists from many fields including math,
chemistry, physics, engineering, pharmacology, and materials sciences, use their skills to
explore and develop new tools for understanding how biology works. The eyes evolved in
many species harnessing the electromagnetic spectrum. The ears hear sounds which occur
through the movement of air molecules. And the chemistry that drives all of biology
depend on the physics of energy and molecules. Every day, for example, plants absorb
sunlight, water and carbon dioxide, creating glucose and releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Math and physics

 Are two closely connected fields. For physicists, math is a tool used to answer
questions. For example, Newton invented calculus to help describe motion. For
mathematicians, physics can be a source of inspiration, with theoretical concepts
such as general relativity and quantum theory providing an impetus for
mathematicians to develop new tools. 
:Chemical physicists

 commonly probe the structure and dynamics of ions, free radicals, polymers,
clusters, and molecules. Areas of study include the quantum mechanical behavior
of chemical reactions, the process of solvation, inter- and intra-molecular energy
flow, and single entities such as quantum dots. Experimental chemical physicists
use a variety of spectroscopic techniques to better understand hydrogen bonding,
electron transfer, the formation and dissolution of chemical bonds, chemical
reactions, and the formation of nanoparticles. Theoretical chemical physicists
create simulations of the molecular processes probed in these experiments to both
explain results and guide future investigations.
:Reference

 Correlation within BasicSciences in School and their Correlation with Other

School Subjects and Daily Life, in Teaching and Learning of Science and
Technology, Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 14 — 18.
 Bloembergen, (1995)N.Physics in our daily lives and physics as an intellectual
adventure in Nachtigall, D. K.(1995)Internalizing Physics, Paris: UNESCO
Education Sector,. 32-5.