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The Italian Job: An Exercise in Turning Forces
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Follows, Mike – Physics Education, 2018
The 1969 version of "The Italian Job" is used as context for teaching turning forces and introducing or enhancing the understanding of equilibrium and Newton's Third Law of Motion. A Harrington Legionnaire coach is used as the getaway vehicle for a gold heist and the film ends on a genuine cliffhanger, with the rear half of the coach…
Descriptors: Physics, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Scientific Principles
All in the Mind (Thought Experiments in the Development of Quantum Theory).
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Adams, Stephen – School Science Review, 1991
Explored is the role of thought experiments in the development of physical theories. Drawing examples from quantum theory it asks how a method that generates no new empirical data can nonetheless exert an influence upon a subject defined by its empiricism. (Author/KR)
Descriptors: Models, Physics, Problem Solving, Quantum Mechanics
Solution of Poisson's Equation with Global, Local and Nonlocal Boundary Conditions
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Aliev, Nihan; Jahanshahi, Mohammad – International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 2002
Boundary value problems (BVPs) for partial differential equations are common in mathematical physics. The differential equation is often considered in simple and symmetric regions, such as a circle, cube, cylinder, etc., with global and separable boundary conditions. In this paper and other works of the authors, a general method is used for the…
Descriptors: Calculus, Equations (Mathematics), Mathematics Education, Physics
Physics Instruction in the High Schools: Suggestions for Its Improvement.
Brekke, Stewart E. – Spectrum, 1993
High school physics, if taught properly, should be accessible to 50% of students rather than the currently estimated 20% of students. Suggests changes that need to be made in course format, including giving plenty of problem-solving help, improving high school texts to conform to principles of learning, and designing a course so that all can…
Descriptors: Educational Improvement, High Schools, Instructional Effectiveness, Physics
Computer Intelligence: Unlimited and Untapped.
Staples, Betsy – Creative Computing, 1983
Herbert Simon (Nobel prize-winning economist/professor) expresses his views on human and artificial intelligence, problem solving, inventing concepts, and the future. Includes comments on expert systems, state of the art in artificial intelligence, robotics, and "Bacon," a computer program that finds scientific laws hidden in raw data.…
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Oriented Programs, Computer Programs, Computer Science
Cognition of Learning Physics.
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Larkin, Jill – American Journal of Physics, 1981
Experienced Physicists solve simple textbook problems differently from beginning students. This paper describes these differences using a computer-implemented model that "learns." The research is set in the the context of modern computer-processing psychology, and is related to other work relevant to help people know and learn…
Descriptors: Cognitive Processes, College Faculty, College Science, College Students
Some Factors Affecting Student Performance in Physics.
Brekke, Stewart E. – Spectrum, 1994
Factors that may affect success in high school or introductory college physics typically include cognitive structure such as formation of problem-solving schemata, visual-spatial abilities, induced cognitive structures of sex roles, and such external factors as teaching style and curriculum. All are important in passing a physics course as…
Descriptors: Cognitive Development, Curriculum Problems, High Schools, Higher Education