Is this Physics or Magic? Learning Physics through Minds-on Science Demonstration (edX)

This course is useful for anyone who are beginners to physics and curious to learn physics. We shall emphasize on the minds-on science demonstration approach where the learners gain gradually increasing and deeper insight into selected physics concepts after being guided through a journey of discovery and concept formation stimulated by the carefully designed demonstration.

Physics is often regarded as an abstract subject where the learners face multiple challenges in developing concrete understanding and seeing the direct relevance of the ideas presented. The aim of this course is to develop a minds-on approach to learning pf physics through fascinating and thought-provoking science demonstrations.

In this MOOC, we aim to design the learning experience in a sequential format where the learners will experience a series of learning points (via videos), peppered with interactive assessment in between and hence learning the concept in stages en route to develop deeper insights into the fundamental principle. During this short course, we shall restrict the content to a few selected topics. However, for each topic, similar elements intended to enhance minds-on learning will be the common features in the learning experience.

What you'll learn

Learners acquire the physics concepts that can explain the physical phenomenon presented. It is the intention of this module that the concepts acquired by the learners do not stop at the surface level. Instead, the learners should acquire deeper insights into the concepts discussed. We aim to achieve this by designing the learning experience to start with the most basic and then move on to the next intermediate level and then to the higher level. There will also be “counter-intuitive moment” to challenge the knowledge of the learners.

Learners develop knowledge in a systematic self-discovery manner where they are constantly required to make sense of the phenomenon and thus forming the theoretical framework/model that can provide a good account of the observed phenomenon.

By doing so, learners will acquire deductive and logical inference process during the formulation of the model to explain what they have seen.

Syllabus

Week 1: Simple yet fascinating!

Classical Mechanics: Fun physics one can illustrate with a soccer ball and a tennis ball; a book and a piece of paper.

Hanging in a balance! The science of the balancing bird and the idea of center of gravity.

Can an object roll up a slope?

Look what we can do with a meter ruler.

Week 2: Simple yet fascinating (more)!

The strange behavior of rolling things

Fun with rigid body: ball falling into a cup.

Week 3: Cartesian Divers Overload!

The ups and downs of Cartesian Divers.

Week 4: Super-charged and Fun with Electromagnetic Induction

Explore the physics of electrostatic forces via the series of demo made possible with a Wimshurst Machine

Gain insights into basic concept in electromagnetism on the interplay between changing magnetic field and induced electric field.

Week 5: The Science of Sound and the Sound of Science

How do we create sound?

What is resonance?

Amazed with the many simple household items that can be utilized to demonstrate these concepts.

Week 6: Miscellaneous and Wonderous Science Demo.

Fascinating Optical Phenomena of Photoelasticity

Amazing Fluorescence Emission.

Visualizing Heat

Are you stronger than a piece of ice block with tissue paper?