ERIC Number: EJ1223136
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
Using a Scanning Electron Microscope in Physics STEM Education
Hughes, Stephen; Evason, Chris; Leisemann, Scott
Physics Education, v54 n5 Article 055018 Sep 2019
This paper describes the use of a tabletop electron microscope in teaching college level physics. The workings and use of an electron microscope encompass many aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A sequence of activities was constructed to compliment the instructional material in the physics course of the University of Queensland Foundation Year. A Hitachi TM4000 scanning electron microscope was used to obtain images to measure the track spacing of CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. The nominal track spacings are 1.6 µm, 740nm and 320nm for CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs, respectively, comparable to the wavelength of visible light and therefore give rise to visible diffraction effects. The track spacing for a CD and DVD was measured using red, green and blue laser pointers with an accuracy well under 10%. The experiments described in this paper demonstrate how a scientific instrument such as a scanning electron microscope can be used to integrate the teaching of different STEM areas.
Descriptors: Laboratory Equipment, Physics, STEM Education, College Science, Foreign Countries, Introductory Courses, Measurement, Video Technology, Light, Lasers, Science Experiments, High Achievement, College Students, Computer Peripherals
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A