119 papers
Physics explores the fundamental rules governing our universe, from the tiniest subatomic particles to the vastness of distant galaxies. This category focuses on educational physics, bridging the gap between complex theoretical concepts and clear, understandable explanations for students and enthusiasts alike. It covers how we teach, learn, and visualize the laws of nature in everyday contexts.
Gist.Science monitors arXiv daily to process every new preprint in this specific field. We transform these raw scientific manuscripts into accessible plain-language overviews alongside detailed technical summaries, ensuring that cutting-edge educational research reaches a wider audience without losing its rigor. Below are the latest papers in physics education research and related studies that have recently appeared on arXiv.
This study utilizes the framework of Physics Computational Literacy to analyze semi-structured interviews with upper-division students, revealing that they navigate tradeoffs in developing various literacy aspects and approach social computational literacy differently based on unspoken assumptions.
The paper introduces a new "Pairs and Squares" rendering of the Periodic Table that leverages the fact that the number of orbitals at each atomic energy level forms a perfect square to create a more regular and intuitive structure compared to existing presentations.
A quasi-experimental study in a high school physics course found that while using tablets and smartphones as experimental tools did not significantly outperform conventional teaching methods in terms of learning gains or motivation, it proved to be an effective alternative that achieved comparable results without causing negative effects like distraction or cognitive overload.
This paper presents an online course that utilizes an interactive quantum circuit simulator with immediate feedback and automated evaluation to lower the entry barrier and make quantum computing accessible to students from diverse backgrounds without prior physics knowledge.
This study evaluates four large language models on AP Physics free-response questions, finding that while they demonstrate strong capabilities in structured algebraic problem-solving, they exhibit significant limitations in spatial reasoning, visual interpretation, and conceptual integration, with performance varying notably across different years and exam levels.
This paper investigates the semi-infinite square potential well by deriving rules for the number of bound states, correcting a flawed graphical simplification found in standard textbooks, and providing accurate approximations and exact solutions for the energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions.
This paper presents the findings of "Canadian Physics Counts," the first nationwide survey of the Canadian physics community, which reveals significant underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and gender-diverse individuals, highlights a severe lack of accommodations for those with disabilities, and underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to retain a diverse workforce.
This study investigates how students utilize generative AI in physics computational modeling, finding that while it aids planning and debugging, productive use requires limiting reliance to small steps and verifying outputs, whereas over-reliance hinders fundamental learning and necessitates pedagogical adjustments like emphasizing pre-coding planning and maintaining human support.
This paper presents a replicable, low-cost framework for conducting hour-long "Learning Together" sessions that facilitate safe, structured, turn-based reflection on historical, cultural, and equity-related topics within physics institutes.
An analysis of over 67,000 articles from 24 Canadian Science Publishing journals between 2010 and 2021 reveals that women remain underrepresented as authors, particularly in leadership roles and engineering fields, with disparities likely stemming from broader workforce inequalities rather than publication bias.