DEVELOPING A TIERED INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR NEWTON’S RINGS EXPERIMENT TO FOSTER INNOVATION COMPETENCE

In line with the requirements for the Newtonian rings experiment in the “Basic Requirements for Teaching in University Physical Experiments for Science and Engineering (2023 Edition)”, and focusing on fostering students’ innovation and practical abilities, a stratified teaching content system for the experiment has been built. The basic part involves using Newtonian rings to measure the radius of curvature of a convex lens. By analyzing the causes and solutions of the central dark spot in interference fringes, students develop skills in modeling and problem-solving. In the intermediate part, measuring the refractive index of a liquid trains students in analogical thinking, while measuring the radius of curvature of a concave lens, using a design that combines it with a convex lens, cultivates their ability to design experiments and solve problems with limited resources. The advanced part covers measuring the radius of curvature of an aspheric lens. Data is processed with MATLAB to determine the lens surface curvature, nurturing students’ basic research skills. Along with varied assessment methods, this approach spurs students to innovate and enhances the quality of talent cultivation effectively.