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How do physics research groups conduct experiments?

Although students have the idea that physicists work in the laboratory or on experiments, these ideas often do not correspond to the activities in research practice. Physicists, for example, "work on their own questions and have to develop their own measurement procedures. Pupils are more likely to be given these. In the natural sciences, measuring equipment is variable, uncertain and always the subject of research itself, whereas in school lessons it is only static and designed to produce certain effects." (Höttecke & Rieß, 2015, p.128)

Video clips from experimental physics

For this reason, video clips were recorded in the research groups of experimental physics at the University of Kassel, which focus on the experimental procedures of physicists. Fourteen short videos were produced, one of which serves as an introductory video. The 13 further videos can be assigned to four different content-related questions, each of which can be viewed according to interest groups:

What is the basis for research questions and experiments?

On what basis are research questions answered, and can an answer always be found?

To what extent are research questions and experiments influenced by external factors?

What goals are pursued in experimental physics?

Aims of physics lessons

Physics lessons should help pupils to develop appropriate ideas about physics as a science and to understand how new findings are made in current research (KMK, 2005).