Interactive lecture demonstration in thermodynamics

Abstract

Physics demonstrations are often used to convey physics concepts but most students do not gain sufficient understanding when passively observing the demonstrations. This paper presents an interactive lecture demonstration (ILD) on teaching thermodynamics by using an exotic but everyday example, called pee-pee boys. This ILD was used in teaching thermodynamics at two universities in Thailand and Australia. A total of 319 student prediction sheets were analyzed and student reasoning were categorized. The results of student preference when using this ILD to teach the first law of thermodynamics are reported.