Open interactive book ‘Show the Physics’ is a gift to teachers and students

Physics is about understanding the natural world. Yet for many, physics remains a daunting and abstract subject. What if its complex concepts could feel more accessible, or even exciting? Imagine concepts like waves, friction or heat coming alive, not just as words in a textbook but as hands-on experiments sparking curiosity. That’s the idea behind an innovative interactive physics textbook ‘Show the Physics’ developed at TU Delft. This resource aims to engage, inspire and change the way physics is taught.

The online textbook builds on a series of Dutch physics demonstration books (traditionally printed). Dr. Freek Pols, one of the creators, explained, “We wanted to broaden the audience for these books.” More than just a collection of instructions for experiments, this project adds a new dimension by focusing on how demonstrations can be used most effectively. “How do you get the most out of these demonstrations?” he asked, pointing to the pedagogical tools that make this textbook stand out.

At its core are 99 carefully curated demonstrations. Many are accompanied by videos, simulations and Python scripts, making them adaptable and easy to use in classrooms around the world. These features are especially valuable for educators with limited resources.

Pols brought out what seemed like a very simple demonstration involving a setup of two springs connected with a hook, ropes and a weight. “What happens with the weight when you release the hook?” Pols asked, clearly enjoying the puzzle. The initial guess that the weight will go down was wrong and then the correct answer sparked what he calls an “Aha-moment”—that flash of realisation when concepts suddenly make sense. The demonstrations are designed to create these moments, making physics both engaging and relatable for students.

‘The real reward is when someone uses these materials and says: this changed how I teach’

It’s not just about the students, though. The interactive book also provides educators with tools to refine their teaching. With sections on learning goals and evidence-based methods, it offers insights for making lessons more impactful. “Sometimes an experiment doesn’t work as planned,” Pols noted, “but this book helps teachers identify why it does not, and helps them adjust to improve it.”

Developing the book, however, was no small task. Creating videos for nearly 100 demonstrations required time, patience, and more than a few re-takes. “If we included the bloopers, it’d be a comedy series!” he joked. Translating content from Dutch, designing interactive features, and coordinating a project of this scale came with its own challenges. Yet, as Pols put it, “Seeing the finished product makes it all worthwhile.”

Open access

What sets this interactive book apart the most is its commitment to accessibility. It’s freely available online, aligning with the growing movement for open education, both at TU Delft and worldwide. Pols reflected, “We’ve spent years working on this, so why not let others benefit?” Pols recounted how one teacher saw the potential of the book immediately. “He was so enthusiastic; he borrowed the materials the next day for his lecture. The real reward is when someone uses these materials and says: This changed how I teach.”

Pols and a colleague are now envisioning a broader repository of demonstrations that could be collaboratively developed and continually updated. By inviting contributions from educators and using Jupyter books in combination with GitHub, they hope to build a global resource that will remain relevant for years to come.

Written by TU student Anusha Sheth

This experiment combines combustion with force and movement in a surprising way. The experiment lasts less than a second; the interesting part is predicting what will happen and finding an explanation. (Video: Show the Physics)