V. 3, N 3, 1997

Quantum physics laboratories are poorly developed in institutions of higher education, which slows the development of lecture courses. The formation of a quantum physics laboratory course should take into account the experience of specialized laboratory courses in laser technology, plasma and gas discharge physics, atomic and molecular physics, optical spectroscopy, solid state and semiconductor physics, basic microelectronics, physics of nuclear radiation, etc.. A selection of experiments from such specialized laboratory courses should fit well with classical quantum experiments, dealing with concepts such as the Compton effect. Some quantum physics laboratory experiments are proposed for discussion.

The Basic Equation of Macroscopic Electrodynamics of Magnetics

L.I. Antonov, G.A. Mironova, E.V. Lukashova

Physics Department, Moscow State University

Methodical problems of teaching of the section "Magnetostatics" in a course of general physics for the students of physical specialities are discussed.

Visual Aids in Physics Education

A. A. Chervova

Nizhnii Novgorod Higher Zenith Rocket Command School

A constant condition for the increase in the efficiency of institutes of higher education is their technical capabilities, which include the development and establishment of modern laboratory and demonstration equipment, visual aids, and technical teaching aids. The use of demonstrations, personal computers, and technical aids during lectures substantially increases the activity of the students, and also creates the possibility of realizing most fully one of the most important didactic principles - the principle of visualization.

The Physical Basis for Renewable Energy Sources: A Laboratory Course

M. I. Fedorov

Vologda Pedagogical Institute

In the Vologda Pedagogical Institute, a course entitled "The Physical Basis for Renewable Energy Sources" was first introduced for students specializing in "Energy Supply" (100400) in 1997. We have developed a working program, which is presented in the article. When developing this program, we used the experience of English scientists, who made a scientific analysis of the possible use of renewable energy sources in connection with fundamental physical processes.

A Laboratory Course on Molecular Physics and Thermodynamics

M. B. Shapochkin and P. P. Shcherbakov

Moscow Power Engineering Institute

A molecular physics laboratory complex developed at the LABEKS Science Technology Center realizes the needs of a laboratory course in molecular physics and thermodynamics. The nine laboratory setups included in the complex enable (a) study of statistical distributions, (b) measurement of thermodynamic parameters and explanation of the results using statistical physics, and (c) reproduction of classical thermodynamics experiments.

A Physical Laboratory Course for Regional Educational Centers

V. V. Svetozarov and Yu. V. Svetozarov

VLADIS Scientific - Technical Center, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute,

Kashirskoe shosse 31, Moscow, 115409 Russia

A physics laboratory course in the VLADIS standards is a powerful instrument for the intensive experimental study of physics at various levels from high school to university. It also provides means to test, evaluate, and correct the knowledge of students and specialists according to many criteria. The methodical completeness of the course and relatively small time required to access a general "experiments bank" expands possibilities for physics education, and makes it possible to create a system for studying physics and other disciplines using a "learn by doing" approach. One of the important applications of the course is operational and qualitative retraining, both in the fundamental discipline as a whole and in individual subfields, when the detection and elimination of gaps in knowledge is required.

A Laboratory Course in Radio Spectroscopy

V. M. Chernov and R. I. Valeev

Chelyabinsk State University

A special physics laboratory course on radio spectroscopy for students of radio physics and electronics in the Physics Department of the Chelyabinsk State University is discussed. The course includes eight laboratories concerning the operational principles of radio spectrometers and the structure of matter.

Demonstration Experiments on Magnetic Field Structures in Media with Sharp Edges

P. V. Kazarin and N. S. Stepanov

Nizhnii Novgorod State University

Means to obtain rather high-quality pictures of the behavior of magnetic field lines near magnetic samples with sharp edges using iron filings are discussed. The corresponding setup is described and examples are presented for pictures obtained for some characteristic sample shapes and cavities in magnetic media.

The Computer Lecture Course on Physics made by the General and Theoretical Physics of Chelyabinsk State Technical University

B.M. Zolotarevsky, A.K. Demidov

Chelyabinsk State Technical University

The use of the modern technical equipment and software let us the possibilities to teach physics evidently, in dynamics, taking into account recent achievements of science, with high efficiency combining the theory and physical models and phenomenon demonstrations, with the control of materials comprehension, with the creation of problem situations. 21 two- hours lectures made by the authors like a part of the course exist as the form of the program (software) and as the printed materials (summary).

Development of an Educational CD for General Physics Training

G.L. Bashina, Yu.L. Kolesnikov, A.A. Korolev, V.Ya. Mikhnovets,

O.B. Prishchepenok, A. V. Smirnov, S. K. Stafeev, D. N. Fedotov

St. Petersburg State Institute of Precise Mechanics and Optics

Our experience in creating an interactive educational compact disk for use in general physics courses is discussed. A survey of the contents and structure of the disk is provided.

Application of an Interactive Computer Physics Laboratory Course for Remote Teaching

V. M. Tsaplev

Northwest Polytechnic Correspondence Institute

V. M. Shevtsov

State Marine Technical University

The possibilities and peculiarities of using computer methods for modeling physics processes for a student physics laboratory course are considered. For correspondence studies in disciplines such as physics, in which an important role is played by laboratory courses, the usual teaching methods are unacceptable, since the student is not present at the educational institution, and is not able to work with instruments. Under these conditions, an interactive computer "laboratory course" was constructed based on the "Interactive Physics" course developed by "Knowledge Revolution".

A Computer Laboratory Course on Quantum Mechanics

V. I. Chizhikov and R. E. Paliy

Cuban State University

Some aspects of teaching quantum theory are discussed. A computer laboratory course on quantum mechanics is considered in detail. It is emphasized that computer teaching methods will become dominant in the future.

The Enhanced Role of Self-Made Instruments and Experiments in High School Physics Laboratories

G. A. Gur'yanov

Chelyabinsk State Pedagogical University

High school physics experiments occupy a leading place in general physics education. The manufacture of self-made instruments requires that students have practical skills in the use of various instruments and knowledge of the technical processing of various materials. These skills and knowledge are acquired during the laboratory work. The role of the physics teacher is important, since he must help the students with regard to these issues.