Papers by Stephen Klassen
Science Education, 2010
The photoelectric effect is an important part of general physics textbooks. To study the presenta... more The photoelectric effect is an important part of general physics textbooks. To study the presentation of this phenomenon, we have reconstructed six essential, history and philosophy of science (HPS)-related aspects of the events that culminated in Einstein proposing his hypothesis of lightquanta and the ensuing controversy within the scientiÞc community. These aspects are (1) Lenard's trigger hypothesis to explain the photoelectric
Science & Education, 2011
Page 1. Encouraging a ''Romantic Understanding'' of Science: The Effect of th... more Page 1. Encouraging a ''Romantic Understanding'' of Science: The Effect of the Nikola Tesla Story Yannis Hadzigeorgiou • Stephen Klassen • Cathrine Froese Klassen © Springer Science+Business Media BV 2011 Abstract ...
Science & Education, 2007
The photoelectric effect is commonly used as the introductory topic for the study of quantum phys... more The photoelectric effect is commonly used as the introductory topic for the study of quantum physics. However, a literature review reveals that besides various weaknesses and errors in the presentation of the history of the photoelectric effect, textbook presentations also contain incorrect presentations of the work function and the photon concept. In this paper, I present, in story form, five key episodes of the history of the photoelectric effect that are necessary for its accurate and adequate portrayal: (a) the discovery of the photoelectric effect, (b) the characterization of and initial explanation for the photoelectric effect, (c) Einstein's revolutionary paper on the light quantum and its explanation for the photoelectric effect, and his, eventually, receiving the Nobel Prize despite not having his hypothesis accepted, (d) Millikan's experimental verification of Einstein's photoelectric equation despite not accepting Einstein's hypothesis, and (e) Compton's measurements and his theoretical explanation which produced the ultimate acceptance of Einstein's hypothesis. The story, entitled "The Birth of the Photon Concept," has been tested in a classroom setting and is proposed as an essential component in the process of developing sound instructional materials.
Physics Education, 2010
Millikan's oil-drop experiment is one of the classic experiments from the history of physics. Due... more Millikan's oil-drop experiment is one of the classic experiments from the history of physics. Due to its content (the determination of the elementary charge) it is also among those experiments that are frequently used and discussed in teaching situations. Disappointingly, a review of the educational literature on this experiment reveals that its implementation in teaching situations is not especially successful. Using a collaborative approach, we have attempted to develop an understanding of the difficulties that students encounter with this experiment. In our approach, apart from evaluating students' lab reports, we used questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, we have used the historical development of the oil-drop experiment as a resource for restructuring the educational use of the experiment, and we have attempted to develop a more thorough understanding of the experiment through an analysis of the data generated in the experiment and its mathematical treatment. As a result, we suggest a different use of the apparatus that appears to result in less frustration of the students as well as a better understanding of the experiment and its difficulties by the students. 382 P H Y S I C S E D U C A T I O N 45 (4)
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Papers by Stephen Klassen