Teaching Introductory Physics in the Context of Personal and Societal Issues of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Journal Article)
- Washington :American Association of Physics Teachers , December 2023
- 792–794p.
- The Physics Teacher Volume 61, Number 9, December 2023 .
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Abstract: This paper reports on introductory physics instruction contextualized in terms of coronavirus-related personal and societal issues. Students in this descriptive qualitative study gained a strong grasp of a range of physics concepts associated with the nature and mechanisms of the spread of the coronavirus, such as projectile motion, air convection, Reynolds number, and Brownian motion; additionally, they were able to discuss the application of physics relevant to the N95 face masks. Students found this pedagogical approach engaging, as shown in their reflective writing.