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This paper addresses pseudoscientific ideas regarding the influence of the Moon on our planet. To do so, a study is made of whether and how high school and higher education physics textbooks deal with the influence of the Moon's gravity on Earth. A sample of 17 High School physics textbooks and 17 textbooks used in science and engineering courses (13 in Physics, 2 in Optics and 2 in Astronomy) from different years of publication are used for the analysis. The results reveal that these books pay little attention to topics related to the physics of the Moon and its influence on our planet, as well as a decontextualized approach to the teaching of Physics. This is followed by a proposal for a correct introduction to basic aspects of the Moon's physics (gravitation, tides, luminosity) that refutes the Moon's supposed influences on living things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recomposition of a ray of white light, initially decomposed by a prism, by using another identical prism and inverted with respect to the former is impossible and, however, many (bibliographic and internet) sources usually present this supposed experiment as a demonstration of easy execution and unquestionable result. This article shows the use of different optical elements to recompose a ray of white light, previously decomposed by a prism. All the materials employed can be easily acquired and assembled, which allows the use of these experiments when discussing refraction and reflection of light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical teaching experiments on optical Doppler effect are not a simple task, not only by the design but also because the experiment itself have many issues. The main problem is to produce a smooth movement of the light source, for little imperfections, of the order of the wavelength, result in important noises in the final measurements. Using a rotating mirror in which the incident beam is reflected in both the receding and the advancing parts of its surface, allows to minimize noise problems as well as mechanical deviations. The laboratory practice described in this paper can be constructed using low cost parts that are usually found in student laboratories. We also propose some questions and problems to help the teaching to work out this matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For ten months we have undertaken an action-exhibition at the Science Park of Granada. In the "Window on Science", the exhibition What the eye does not see has tried to show the public aspects of optics related to the limits of human vision and scientific advances that have enabled it to overcome these limits. It was an educational, informative and interactive activity, which has sought to encourage reflection on the visitor. The main objective of this study is to analyze the experience, asking whether experiences like this help to promote scientific culture of citizenship. To perform its evaluation a survey has been applied to a sample of visitors whose results show that over 90% think to have learned from it and consider it as funny. Likewise, when we asked they qualify it, they did so with an average of 9 out of 10. For the experience and the results obtained, we believe that activities like this are of interest and should be strengthened as a valid way for the popularization of science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an experimental prototype set for learning optics. The prototypes were developed with materials affordable and easy acquisition, improved their designs, validated by experts and tested in the classroom for their valuation. They recreated a methodology based on "building" and processes that improves the achievement of the students, showing their relevance and effectiveness for the teaching of optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]