The document discusses the nature of physics, issues in teaching physics, and the role of physics teachers. Physics is the study of matter, energy, and their interaction. It is fundamentally mathematical and seeks to understand natural phenomena. Challenges in teaching physics include its abstract concepts, students' weak mathematical backgrounds, and lack of resources. Effective physics teaching requires proper laboratories, qualified teachers, sufficient time, and connecting concepts to real-life. The role of teachers is to prepare well, develop students' scientific literacy, and foster interaction through hands-on learning and relating physics to daily experiences.

1. Nature of Physics
and
Issues in Teaching Physics
UNITY COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Learn and Teach
UNITY COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

2. The word “physics” is derived from Greek word “physis” which means “knowledge of
nature”. It is a natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space
and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most
fundamental scientific disciplines. It is essentially applied mathematics. It deals with
fundamentals such as tiny atoms to complex such as stars and planets. It accounts
energy, force, sound, matter, light, motion etc., to interpret the nature and relationship
between them. The ultimate goal is to understand the universe around us.
Eastern Arizona College
“Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and
properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics
includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound,
electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms.”

3. NATURE/CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYSICS
Facts: Physics gives all the "how's" in a world of "what's." It is a science of matter and its
behavior.
Observation: Act of monitoring or observing something or someone. Observed
phenomenon by counting or measuring of any events, behaviour, changes etc.
Rules & Principle: All its rules and principles are universal in nature. Be it its effects,
formulas, laws. Laws of nature as expressed in physics as laws and theories are often said
to be universal. This means that, so far as we have been able to test them, they apply
everywhere and at every time, past, present and future. (T&C apply)
Dynamic Study: Physics is ever changing, updated, improved over the years. With
advancement in technology comes better understanding, refined and enrich ideas.

4. Mathematics: An analogy, a tool and a language of physics. Translate abstract
mathematical knowledge into complex ideas.
Accuracy & Precision:
• Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the correct value for that measurement.
• Precision of a measurement system refers to how close the agreement is between
repeated measurements (which are repeated under the same conditions).
“A good analogy for understanding accuracy and precision is to imagine a basketball
player shooting baskets. If the player shoots with accuracy, his aim will always take the
ball close to or into the basket. If the player shoots with precision, his aim will always take
the ball to the same location which may or may not be close to the basket. A good player
will be both accurate and precise by shooting the ball the same way each time and each
time making it in the basket.”

5. Physical Quantity: In physics, there are seven fundamental physical quantities that
are measured in base or physical fundamental units: length, mass, time, electric
current temperature, amount of substance, and luminous intensity. Units for other
physical quantities (such as force, speed, and electric charge) described by
mathematically combining these seven base units.
Quantity Name Symbol
Length Meter/Metre M
Mass Kilogram Kg
Time Second S
Electric Current Ampere A/Amp
Temperature Kelvin K
Amount of Substance Mole Mol
Luminous Intensity Candela Cd

6. IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING PHYSICS
The future of any country and its contribution to the global economy is linked to its
ability to develop its human capital in the field of science and engineering. Physics
describes how the natural world works through applied mathematical formulas. It deals
with the fundamental forces of the universe and how they interact with matter looking
at everything from galaxies and planets to atoms and quarks and everything in
between.
Teaching high school physics can very rewarding, with lots of excitement and creative
problem solving. Teaching physics involves more than writing formulas on a
chalkboard. It involves helping students to see the world in a new way. It involves
crafting a learning environment where students are able to explore and understand how
the physical world works, and to connect complex scientific concepts to their daily
lives

7. • Physics is an exciting intellectual adventure that inspires young people and expands
the frontiers of our knowledge about Nature.
• Physics generates fundamental knowledge needed for the future technological
advances that will continue to drive the economic engines of the world.
• Physics contributes to the technological infrastructure and provides trained personnel
needed to take advantage of scientific advances and discoveries.
• Physics is an important element in the education of chemists, engineers and computer
scientists, as well as practitioners of the other physical and biomedical sciences.
• Physics extends and enhances our understanding of other disciplines, such as the earth,
agricultural, chemical, biological, and environmental sciences, plus astrophysics and
cosmology - subjects of substantial importance to all peoples of the world.

8. • Physics improves our quality of life by providing the basic understanding necessary
for developing new instrumentation and techniques for medical applications, such as
computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography,
ultrasonic imaging, and laser surgery.
• Physics is essential for understanding chemistry. Without physics students cannot
understand major chemical principles. For example, the chemical bond, Gas Laws,
molecular collisions etc.
• Physics and chemistry are essential for understanding biology. Without physics and
chemistry students cannot understand major biology principles. For example, muscle
contraction and relaxation, blood pressure, diffusion and active transport etc.
• Engineering is basically physics applied to create something more practical. It can be
mechanical, electrical, civil, etc., all governed by physics. For example it helps in
dealing with aircraft, watercraft, engines, robotics, weapons, cars, pneumatics,
hydraulics and others by using core areas including mechanics, dynamics,
thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity.

9. ISSUES OF TEACHING PHYSICS
Some issues in the field of physics education includes the availability of appropriate
textbooks and classroom resources, the preparation and training of physics teachers
Difficult to learn: This may be one of the major problems in
teaching physics. There seems to be an inherent idea held within
society that science in general is difficult to learn. The students
with this attitude make it harder for them to concentrate and
actually love studying the subject. This in turn hinders some of the
subject teachers to lose their interest in teaching the students.
Poor mathematical knowledge: With physics being an applied
mathematics, it will be tough and challenging for weak
mathematics background students, leading to lose of interest and
ultimately may discontinuing with the subject in higher studies.

10. Abstract Ideas: With students varied ability to deal with
abstraction of ideas, teachers may have to start the session
from scratch as physics requires or demands lots of creative
imagination skills to understand and comprehend the subject.
Lack of practical skills: Lack of practical skills
among students coming into courses. Some students joining the class
may have never been expose to practical session, creating an unbalanced
ecosystem in classroom, and may not catch up with others.
Paucity of resources and/or funding: Due to irregular or
insufficient fund, the learning environment is impacted. Results in
poor infrastructures, library, laboratory, cancellation of field trips etc.
Interest: Children are interested in scientific toys, as t.v., computer, motorbikes, but not
interested in how they work.
Not enough time: Time slot allotted for
class is not adequate enough to cover planned
topics suggested in the curriculum. Especially
during experimental work.

11. Unable to connect common words and scientific words: There is a difference between
the common language and the scientific one and teachers are not prepared enough to
link the ways of expression.
Theory and not practical: Theory knowledge emphasized more as compared to
practical, schools with no science park, display models, lack of audio visual aids etc.
Science exposure: Lack of field trips, workshop, fairs and seminars. Scientific attitude
and interest will not develop. Students may feel discouraged to continue with their
studies.
Not enough qualified teacher: Teachers appointed without proper knowledge of
subject or well trained, may not do justification to the subject, affecting student
learning process.

12. WAY TO OVERCOME THE ISSUES OF TEACHING PHYSICS
To make teaching as well as learning science interesting and effective, some of the
suggestions are mentioned as;
Proper Laboratory: It is beneficial for learners to experience science within a laboratory
not only for safety and practical reasons but also to help pupils put science into a real-
life context and help with understanding of the relevance of the subject. The use of test
tubes, conical flasks, laboratory balance, microscopes, and chemicals useful for
experiments may enable students to learn actively. Teachers’ method of practical
teaching may also be boosted. Lab Assistant: It is essential to have well trained,
experienced technicians if the school is going to deliver physics in such a way that is
conducive to learning. Technicians are of upmost importance when it comes to
delivering practical lessons. Teachers would not be able to deliver their lesson
effectively if it was not for the vital support offered by the technicians.

13. Qualified Teachers: Teachers should be trained in the latest techniques of teaching
physics and in new scientific content enrichment. This will keep the teacher up to date
and help to maintain an awareness of current topics of interest and recent
development.
Sufficient Time: A physics teacher should get the required period with no substitution
period so that they can get enough time for planning, evaluating copies, preparing
demonstrations and experiments.
Create a science-classroom environment: Classrooms can be decorated with
something related to the topics. e.g. - if a science teacher teaches about solar systems;
the class can be decorated with drawings/ pictures of different solar systems and this
can improve the teaching method and make class more interesting.

14. ROLE OF A TEACHER
A good physics teacher is someone who realizes that among the most valued and
significant roles of a science teacher is to help a student understand a body of
information and the processes of scientific investigation.
Teacher Self-Preparation: Behind the scene work determines the level of student
understanding. Quality teaching depends on what is done by the teacher before
stepping into the classroom. Preparation is key:
• Set the goals in terms of conceptual and process outcomes
• Decide what students will do in the classroom to achieve these goals
• Decide how to assess whether the goals are achieved, including the roles of both
formative and summative assessments
• Maintain a positive outlook and be flexible

15. • Prepare subject material: sequencing and correlating to standards
• Prepare lab apparatus and equipment
Scientific Literacy Development: Science does not happen only inside the classroom.
Science teachers are charged with producing informed consumers of science who will
be able to make decisions whenever science intersects public policy. Thus, the
teacher should be an informed and critical observer of science, concerned with
developing scientific literacy:
• Take advantage of community resources
• Connect with scientists outside of the classroom through speakers and field trips
• Provide students with opportunities to learn, for choice, and for success
• Provide meaningful applications, and manageable tasks for students to perform
• Bring scientific news into the classroom

16. • Discuss implications of new technology
• Address real-world problems that may be interdisciplinary
• Provide activities and opportunities for students to experience physics outside the
classroom
Teacher-Student Interaction: The primary role of a teacher is to establish a learning
environment where all students are able to learn and are motivated to learn, an
environment that is both challenging and supportive:
• Establish a learning community consisting of the teacher and the students
• Listen to student ideas and be prepared to address them
• Make sure that student activities are challenging yet doable, and that students can track
their progress
• Make sure that students can establish connections between classroom activities and
everyday experiences
• Review safety procedures with students

17. CONCLUSION
Teaching high school physics can very rewarding, with lots of excitement and
creative problem solving. Teaching physics involves more than writing formulas on a
chalkboard. It involves helping students to see the world in a new way. It involves
crafting a learning environment where students are able to explore and understand
how the physical world works, and to connect complex scientific concepts to their
daily lives
Teaching and learning introductory physics are both challenging tasks. When teachers
start to be active in their teaching, the learning process too becomes interesting.
Student’s mind should be turned from science being a difficult subject to science
being an interesting subject. This eventually will start changing certain problems in
teaching science subject.