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Physics education — publications

Sommerfeld’s elliptical atomic orbits revisited — A useful preliminary to the study of quantum mechanics (with Tony Deeney), American Journal of Physics, 82, No. 9, 883 - 886 (September 2014).
Adherence to internationally agreed nomenclature in service courses for engineering majors, Joint International Conference on Engineering Education & International Conference on Information Technology (ICEE/ICIT-2014), Riga, 2 - 6 June 2014.
The minus sign in Faraday's law revisited (with Donal Hurley), Physics Education, 48, No 1, 87 - 89 (January 2013).
Experiences of using a web-based virtual shell and tube heat exchanger experiment by adult continuing learners (with Edmond Byrne, John Barrett, Tomáš Jiříček and Alan Kelly), 4th International Symposium for Engineering Education 2012, The University of Sheffield, July 2012.
Collisions with springs: a useful context for the study of analytical dynamics (with Patrick Twomey, John O'Riordan, and Stephen Fahy), The Physics Teacher, 50, No. 2, 83 - 86 (Feb 2012).
How reflected wave fronts dynamically establish Hooke's law in a spring (with Stephen Fahy , John O'Riordan, and Patrick Twomey), European Journal of Physics, 33, No. 2, 417 - 426 (Feb 2012).
Understanding Physics, 2nd Edition (with Michael Mansfield), John Wiley and Sons: Chichester, January 2011, ISBN 978-0-470-74638-7 xvii + 675pp (hardback), ISBN 978-0-470-74637-0 xvii + 675pp (paperback).
An experimental investigation of the role of radiation in laboratory bench-top experiments in thermal physics (with Patrick Twomey and John O'Riordan), European Journal of Physics, 30, No. 2, 559 - 566 (May 2009).
Some experiments to investigate aerodynamic drag in air (with Patrick Twomey and John O'Riordan), GIREP-EPEC 2009 International Conference, Leicester, UK, paper 40 (August, 2009).
Teaching Heat Transfer to Engineering Students - a course of computer-based hands-on activities, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Education 2007 (ICEE 2007), Coimbra, Portugal 2007, paper 84 (September 2007).
Understanding Science Experiments through the Medium of Video and Data Visualisation (with Daniel C. Doolan and Sabin Tabirca), Acta Universitatis Cibiniensis, 49-53 (2007).
Virtual Science Lab (VSL) An Educational Tool for Demonstrating Science Experiments (with Daniel C. Doolan and Sabin Tabirca), Acta Universitatis Cibiniensis, 85-89 (2007).
A simple experiment to study cooling by convection and radiation, XV International Conference DIDFYZ 2006, The Improvement of Students´ Skills in Natural Science Education, Rackova dolina, Slovakia (October 2006).
The Coefficient of restitution Model: How Realistic is it? (with John O’Riordan,Patrick Twomey and Michel Vandyck), GIREP International Conference on Modelling in Physics and Physics Education, Amsterdam, (August 2006).
How much should we tell the learners: some Reflections on Modelling in Physics Education, GIREP International Conference on Modelling in Physics and Physics Education, Amsterdam, 238 – 243 (August 2006).
Convection in Liquids – Some Illustrative Examples (with Slavko Kocijancic), Proceedings of the GIREP International Seminar on Informal Learning and Public Understanding of Science, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 238 – 243 (September 2005).
Are dead chickens Ohmic? Simple investigations of non-standard ohmic and non-ohmic materials in school laboratories (with Slavko Kocijancic), Physics Education, 39, No. 1, 69 – 73 (January 2004).
Real or Virtual Laboratories in Science Teaching – is this Actually a Dilemma? (with Slavko Kocijancic), Informatics in Education, 3, No. 2), 239 – 249 (2004)
Computerised Laboratory: Experiments combined with spreadsheet analysis and modelling (with Slavko Kocijancic), Informatics in Education, Proceedings of 8th MIRK Conference, Piran, Slovenia (May 2003), 277 - 280
The learning environment for physics laboratory activities (LEPLA): a web tool for students and teachers (with Bogdan Zoltowski and Barbara Pecori), Proceedings of the GIREP International Seminar on Quality Development in Teacher Education and Training, Udine, Italy, 564 – 568 (September 2003).
Enhancement of computerised experiments by means of spreadsheet macros (with Slavko Kocijancic), Proceedings of the GIREP International Seminar on Quality Development in Teacher Education and Training, Udine, Italy, 560 – 563 (September 2003).
Computerised experiments in introductory physics for engineering students (with Slavko Kocijancic), Proceedings of GIREP2002 Lund, Sweden, paper Mo3a-02.
Teaching physics in the consumer society, Proceedings of GIREP2002 Lund, Sweden, paper We2c-02.
Integrating virtual and true laboratory in science and technology education (with Slavko Kocijancic), 2nd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Boston 2002, paper T2E-7.
Computerised laboratory in science and technology teaching: a course on wave phenomena in sound (with Adrian Landen), Educational Technology (Proceedings of ICTE2002 Badajoz, 372 - 5).
Using Experimental Laboratories to Teach Formal Physics (with Slavko Kocijancic), Developing Formal Thinking in Physics (eds: Marisa Michelini, Marina Cobal), Proceedings of the First International GIREP Seminar, Udine, Italy 2001.
An Imaginary Tale: The Story of Ö-1 (P J Nahin), book review, European Journal of Physics, 20, No. 2, 125 - 127 (1999).
Understanding Physics (with Michael Mansfield), John Wiley and Sons, Praxis Publishing: Chichester, 1998, ISBN 0-471-97553-2 xx + 755pp (cloth), ISBN 0-471-97554-0 xx + 755pp (paperback).
Eureka! Physics of Particles, Matter and the Universe (R J Blin-Stoyle), book review, European Journal of Physics, 18, No. 6, 469 (1997).
A non-experts struggle with ‘multimedia’ in physics teaching. Proceedings of the GIREP-ICPE International Conference on New Ways of Teaching Physics, Ljubljana, 34 - 38 (1996).
Out of sight: from Quarks to Living Cells (S Kullander and B Larsson), book review, European Journal of Physics , 16, No. 3, 148 (1995).
And yet it moves: strange systems and subtle questions in physics (M P Silverman), book review, European Journal of Physics, 15, No. 1, 45 - 46 (1994).
Physics Experiments using the PC (H M Staudenmaier, ed), book review, European Journal of Physics, 15, No. 4, 219 - 220 (1994).
Some applications of the Zeeman absorption of polarised radiation (with F A Deeney), European Journal of Physics, 12, No. 5, 224 - 229 (Sept 1991).
Correction for cooling techniques in heat experiments, Physics Education, 25, 176 - 179 (1990)
Newton's law of cooling - a critical assessment, Amer. J. Phys., 58(10), 956 - 960 (1990).
Introducing classical mechanics by means of microcomputer-based air-track experiments, Physics Education, 25, 353 - 357 (1990)
Introductory Physics Experiments using the BBC Micro, Vol. 1: Module MA: Mechanics experiments using a linear airtrack, Paris: UNESCO, 1989; ii + 55 pp.
Introductory Physics Experiments using the BBC Micro, Vol. 2: Module MB : Mechanics with friction, Paris: UNESCO, 1989; ii + 51 pp.
Introductory Physics Experiments using the BBC Micro, Vol. 3: Module HT: Heat utilities, Paris: UNESCO, 1989; ii + 42 pp.
Introductory Physics Experiments using the BBC Micro, Vol. 4: Module EC: Electronics experiments, Paris>: UNESCO, 1989; ii + 65 pp.
Introductory Physics Experiments using the BBC Micro, Vol. 4: Module EC: Electronics experiments, Paris: UNESCO, 1989; ii + 31 pp.
Inpulsive tensions in strings - a century of misconception, Physics Education, 23, 48 - 50 (1988).
Calculus for Physics (Dalven), book review, Irish Mathematical Society Bulletin, 20, 72 - 75 (1988).
The use of microcomputers at the physics/chemistry interface, Proceedings of the International Seminar/Workshop on Frontiers in University Science Education, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, 96 - 109 (1986).
Mathematics horses for elementary physics courses (with N. Ó Murchú), Irish Mathematical Society Bulletin, 6, 50 - 54 (December 1982).
Newton's Laws of Motion: some interpretations of the formalism, Amer. J. Phys., 48(2), 131 - 133 (1980).
Ohm's law and the definition of resistance, Physics Education, 15, 237 - 239 (1980).

Physics education — presentations

Exploring New Ways of Teaching Physics, invited paper. ISTA 36th Annual Conference, Cork, 11 April 1997.
A non-experts struggle with multimedia in physics teaching, invited paper, GIREP/ICPE International Conference on New Ways of Teaching Physics, 21 August 1996.
Possible uses of microcomputers for classroom demonstration expriments, invited paper, Europhysics Study Conference on the Role of Experiments in Physics Education, Skofja Loka, Slovenia, July 1992.
Training of Third Level Physics Teachers?, invited paper, Institute of Physics (Irish Branch) Spring Meeting, Galway, March 1991.
Astronomy and Earth Science in the Junior Cycle Syllabus. Department of Education In-service course, Marino College of Education, Dublin, 2 February 1990.
Microcomputers in the Physics Laboratory, Royal Irish Academy in-service course for senior cycle physics teachers, University College Cork, 29 September 1990.
Girls and Physics at Third Level. Department of Education Seminar on Intervention Projects in Physics/Chemistry, Broc House, Donnybrook, Dublin, 30 November 1989.
The Use of Microcomputers in the Physics Classroom. Annual Meeting of the Irish Science Teachers Association, Cork, 8 April 1989.
The Future of Physics Education: a Third Level Viewpoint, invited paper, Institute of Physics (Irish Branch) Spring Meeting, March 1989.
The Use of Microcomputers at the Physics/Chemistry Interface, invited paper, International Seminar/ Workshop on Frontiers in University Science Education, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, September 1986.
Lecture Demonstrations using Microcomputers, Europhysics Study Conference on Computers in Physics Education, Klagenfurt, Austria, August 1986.
Using Microcomputers in the Physics Laboratory. Irish Science Teachers Association (Cork Branch),14 November 1984.
Why do so few students do honours maths? Cork Mathematics Teachers Association, 26 September 1980.
Newton's laws of motion, invited paper, Annual Meeting of the Irish Science Teachers Association, Cork, 26 March 1977.
Symmetry Principles: law and order in nature. Chemical and Physical Society, U.C.C., March 1974.
Elementary Particles: the new spectroscopy, Chemical and Physical Society, U.C.C, December 1971.

Astrophysics — publications

Low-cost time synchronization and time tagging using satellite TV broadcasts (with J. J. Lennon, P.J. Murphy, J. J. O'Riordan and P. W. Twomey), Nuc Instrum Meth A (417) 169-175 (1998)
Low-cost time synchronization and time tagging using satellite TV-teletext broadcasts (with J. J. Lennon, P.J. Murphy, J. J. O'Riordan and P. W. Twomey), Proceedings of the 12th European Frequency and Time Forum, 519-524, Warsaw (1998).
The Origin of the Universe, Chapter in Town and Gown 2 ( Ó Fathaigh and Reville, eds.) 33 - 45; Centre for Adult and Continuing Education UCC (1996).
A search for ultra-high energy counterparts to gamma-ray bursts (with S. P. Plunkett, M. Delaney, B. McBreen and K. J. Hurley), Astrophysics and Space Science, 231, Nos. 1-2, 271-276 (1995).
The Physics of Stars (A C Phillips), book review, European Journal of Physics, 15, No. 6, 339 - 340 (1994).
Space, Time and Gravity-the theory of the Big Bang and Black Holes (R M Wald), book review, European Journal of Physics, 14, No. 2, 94 - 95 (1993).
Unusual telescopes (P L Manley), book review, European Journal of Physics, 13, No. 6, 290 (1992).
A search for gamma ray transients at energies above 5 x 10¹³eV (with S. Pluncket and B. McBreen), Proceedings of the 22nd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Dublin, 1, 89 - 92 (1991).
A cosmic ray air shower array for the study of gamma ray transients , (with S. Plunket and B. McBreen), Nuc Instrum Meth A A300, 197 - 201 (1991).

Cold fusion: what is going on? (with A. J. McEvoy) Nature (letter), 338, 711 (1989).
An inexpensive subnanosecond timing system (with P.W. Twomey, P.J. Murphy and B. McBreen, Nuc Instrum Meth A, Volume 256, Issue 2, 1 May 1987, Pages 365–368
A multi-input fast coincidence system with nanosecond timing (with P.W. Twomey, P.J. Murphy and B. McBreen), Nuc Instrum Meth A, Volume 261, Issue 3, 15 November 1987, Pages 533–536
Physics of the JovianMagnetosphere (Dessler, ed.), book review, Irish Astronomical Journal, 16, No. 2, 173 - 174 (1984).
Neutrino bursts from collapsing stars, Irish Astronomical Journal, 16, No. 1, 173 - 178 (1983).
An inexpensive mobile digital data link for field work applications (with Pat Twomey), Microprocessors and Microsystems, 7, No. 9, 435 - 438 (1983).
Pulsars (Sieber and Welebinski), book review, Irish Astronomical Journal, 16, No.1, 300 - 302 (1983).
Observation of a burst of cosmic rays at energies above 7 x 10¹³ eV (with B. McBreen and D. Fegan), Phys. Rev. Lett., 51, No. 5, 2341 - 2344 (1983).
Search for coincident air showers (E₀ > 10¹⁰ eV)over a 250 km baseline (with B. McBreen, S. Danaher, D.J. Fegan, J.A. Murphy and J.R. Peard), Proceedings of the 17th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Paris, EA6-3 (1981).
The use of inexpensive transceivers for time coincidence experiments with baselines up to 10 kilometers, (with J.A. Murphy and P.W. Twomey), Nuc Instrum Meth A, 169, 601 - 604 (1980).
Synchronization of time measurements at widely spaced locations, (with J.J. Lennon, J.A. Murphy, J.R. Peard and P.W. Twomey), Nuc Instrum Meth A 171, 101 - 105 (1980).
A search for prompt transient emission of high energy gamma rays ( E₀ > 10¹² eV) from supernovae (with D.J.Fega, B. McBreen and D. O'Brien), Astrophysical Journal, 240, 344 - 349 (1980).
Periodic analysis of the sea-level arrival times of low energy air showers to search for possible 4.8 hour modulation associated with Cygnus X-3 (with S. Danaher and D.J. Fegan). Proceedings of the 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Kyoto, Japan, Paper OG4-29, 208 - 212 (1979).
An experiment to search for bursts of 10¹³ to 10¹⁴ eV cosmic gamma rays on very short time scales (with J.A. Murphy, J.R. Peard, S. Danaher, D.J. Fegan and B. McBreen). Proceedings of the 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Kyoto, Japan, Paper OG5-10, 248 - 253 (1979).
Results of a three year search for bursts of high energy gamma-rays using widely spaced cosmic ray stations (with D.J. Fegan and B. McBreen), Proceedings of the 16th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Kyoto, Japan, OG5-11, 254 - 258 (1979).
Search for high energy gamma-ray bursts from evaporation of primordial black holes (with D.J. Fegan, B. McBreen and D. O'Brien), Nature, 271, 5647, 731 - 732 (1978).
A search for bursts of 10¹³ to 10¹⁴ eV gamma rays using spaced cosmic ray stations (with D. Fegan, B. McBreen and D. O'Brien), Proceedings of the 15th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, OG-1-4, 188 -193 (1977).
A search for coincident single air showers at three widely spaced stations (with D. Fegan, B. McBreen and D. O'Brien). Proceedings of the 15th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, EA-128, 526 - 529 (1977).
A coincidence long baseline gamma ray burst detection system, (with D. Fegan, B. McBreen and V. Ruddy). Nuc Instrum Meth A Volume 129, Issue 2, 15 November 1975, Pages 613–616.
Preliminary results of a search for bursts of 10¹³ to 10¹⁴ eV gamma rays using spaced cosmic ray stations in time coincidence (with D.J. Fegan, B. McBreen and V. Ruddy), Proceedings of the 14th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Munich, paper OG-5-2, 214 - 219 (1975).
A low-cost time-of-event recorder (with Michael Spillane and Patrick Twomey), Nuc Instrum Meth A 126, 591 - 593 (1975).
Enhancement of alpha-particle tracks in cellulose nitrate using electric field, (with Carol Jo Crannell, Hall Crannell and T. H. May), IEEE Trans. Nuclear Sci. ns-17, No. 3, 337 - 339 (1970).
Enhancement of tracks in cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate butyrate foils (with H. Crannell, L. Battist and T.H. May), Nuc Instrum Meth A, 92, 461 (1971)
A search for direct muon production by neutral cosmic rays, I (with C.L. Cowan, F.L. Talbott and R.N. Shelby), Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc., Series II, 14, No. 4, 595 (abstract) (1969).
A search for direct muon production by neutral cosmic rays, II (with C.L. Cowan, F.L. Talbott and R.N. Shelby), Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc., Series II, 14, No. 4, 595 (abstract) (1969).
The production of low-energy muons by neutral components of the cosmic radiation (with C.L. Cowan, F.L. Talbott, P.W. Hesse and R.N. Shelby), Acta Phys. Acad. Sci. Hungary, 29, Sup. 4, 107 - 119 (1969).
Some Properties of a Neutral Component of the Cosmic Radiation, Ph.D.Thesis, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C., 1969; vii +73 pp.
A survey of the gamma-emitting radionuclides present in samples of rainwater, vegetation and airborne dust collected at Cork between September 1963 and August 1963. MSc Thesis, University College Cork, 1963.

Astrophysics — presentations

Recent developments in high energy astronomy. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 4 January 1993.
Supernovae and the abundances of the Elements. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 21 January 1991.
Quarks, Leptons and Strange Stars. Physics and Astronomy Society, U.C.C., March 1990.
Strange Stars. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 29 January 1990.
Real Cooling: Cold Fusion or Heavy Watergate. Physics Department, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, 2 November 1989.
Supernova SN1987. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 23 January 1989.
Nuclear Fusion in Stars. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 23 November 1987.
The Birth and Death of Stars. St. Colman's College, Fermoy, 11 November 1987.
The Voyager Uranus Fly-by. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 17 November 1986.
A Short History of the Galaxy. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 2 December 1985.
The Evolution of the Universe. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 5 November 1984.
Life and Death of Stars. Chemical and Physical Society U.C.C., November 1983.
Neutrino Bursts from Supernovae. Irish Astronomical Science Group Annual Meeting, Maynooth, April 1983.
Jupiter and Saturn after Voyager. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 19 April 1982.
New Results from Voyager 2. Chemical and Physical Society U.C.C., April 1982.
Jupiter and Saturn after Voyager. Ailbrin Society Youghal, 31 March 1982.
Spacelab: Science in the age of the shuttle. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 21 September 1981.
The Giant Planets. Chemical and Physical Society U.C.C., March 1981.
The Crab Nebula. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 7 October 1980.
The Crab Nebula. Chemical and Physical Society U.C.C., October 1980.
Magnetic fields in stars and galaxies. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 24 March 1980.
Supernovae. Irish Astronomical Society (Tralee Branch) Public Lecture, 6 December 1979.
Galaxies. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 22 October, 1979.
The evolution of Galaxies. Annual Congress of Irish Physics Students Association, Cork, January 1979.
Supernovae. Cork Astronomy Society Public Lecture, 6 March 1978.
A long-baseline search for gamma-ray bursts from supernovae. Physics Department, Trinity College Dublin, 10 November 1977.
The role of supernovae in the origin of cosmic rays. Physics Department, University College Galway, 6 December 1976.
The origin and evolution of the universe. Cork Scientific Council, Public Lecture, 29 November 1976.
The Cork Cosmic Ray Experiment. Institute of Physics (Irish Branch) Spring Meeting, Galway, March 1972.
Neutrino Astronomy. Annual Congress of Irish Physics Students Association, Trinity College Dublin , January 1970.
Some curious properties of a neutral component of the cosmic radiation. Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 28 August 1969.

A Search for Direct Muon Production by Neutral Cosmic Rays. American Physical Society Spring Meeting, Washington D.C., May 1969.
A spark chamber - scintillation detector system for use as a cosmic ray telescope. Advanced Research Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia, 25 January 1969.

Other publications/presentations

Development of Physics Teaching in Queen's College Cork, invited paper, Institute of Physics (Irish Branch) Spring Meeting, Enniskillen , 8 April 1995.
Models in Science and Religion. The Academy of St. Thomas, U.C.C. November 1990.
Pilot Intervention Projects in Physics and Chemistry: Report of External Evaluators (with D. Ní Chárthaigh), Dublin: An Roinn Oideachais, 1988; v + 53 pp.
Theories and Models. Conference of University Chaplins, U.C.C, 3 September 1982.
Theories and Models. Chaplaincy Lecture, Trinity College Dublin, 4 February 1982.
Subject selection in school: the economic realities. Education Forum, The Cork Examiner, 7 June 1980.
On the future relationship between the universities and other institutions of higher education in Ireland. Delegate Conference of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, Dun Laoghaire, 1 May 1975.

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