arXiv subjects

Frédéric Bouquet

Publications and source records attributed to Frédéric Bouquet.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Teaching Physics in the Woods

We developed a two-day physics class that uses a nearby forest as a teaching location. Using low-cost material, students design and carry out physics projects outside of the usual controlled environment that is a classroom. In this way they come to realize that physics can be used to understand the real world. They organize and present their results in an original format, an exhibit they collectively build. This project is an introduction to the role physics can play in exploring environmental issues, incorporating a sensitive and positive aspect which is important in this time of environmental crisis.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2017

A study on kinetic friction: the Timoshenko oscillator

Friction is a complex phenomenon that is of paramount importance in everyday life. We present an easy-to-build and inexpensive experiment illustrating Coulomb's law of kinetic friction. The so-called friction, or Timoshenko, oscillator consists of a plate set into periodic motion through the competition between gravity and friction on its rotating supports. The period of such an oscillator gives a measurement of the coefficient of kinetic friction μ_k between the plate and the supports. Our prototype is mainly composed of a motor, LEGO blocks, and a low-cost microcontroller, but despite its simplicity the results obtained are in good agreement with values of μ_k found in the literature.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2016

A project-based course about outreach in a physics curriculum

We describe an undergraduate course where physics students are asked to conceive an outreach project of their own. The course alternates between the project conception and teachings about pedagogy and outreach, and ends in a public show. We describe its practical implementation and benefits. Through a student survey and an analysis of their projects, we discuss the merits and flaws of this "learning-by-doing" teaching approach for physics.

physics.ed-ph↗