top 5 challenges of teaching senior physics. this is a topic that would be best discussed...

Top 5 Challenges of Top 5 Challenges of Teaching Senior Teaching Senior

PhysicsPhysics


PhysicsPhysicsThis is a topic that would be This is a topic that would be

best discussed informally.best discussed informally.

With a cold beverage in your With a cold beverage in your hands.hands.

Unfortunately, this is not an Unfortunately, this is not an option option is it?is it?

So we might as well get So we might as well get started.started.


PhysicsPhysicsPhysics 11Physics 11



The PLO’s for Physics 11 The PLO’s for Physics 11 are not that difficult for are not that difficult for students. students. Teachers tend to “beef up” Teachers tend to “beef up” the course, and it is these the course, and it is these enriched/advanced topics enriched/advanced topics that cause some that cause some difficulties.difficulties.



In the actual PLO’s, the In the actual PLO’s, the two topics that I believe two topics that I believe cancan be the most be the most challenging are:challenging are:

Momentum/ImpulseMomentum/Impulse RelativityRelativity



Other possible areas could Other possible areas could include:include:

… … … … … …

Physics 11Physics 11Momentum/ImpuMomentum/Impu

lselseDemonstrations:Demonstrations:

Various objects to get a Various objects to get a “feel” for “feel” for momentum.momentum. Rubber ball and Rubber ball and plastercineplastercine

Physics 11Physics 11RelativityRelativity

??

Physics 11Physics 11RelativityRelativity

Discussion seems to work Discussion seems to work best.best.

Students enjoy going beyond Students enjoy going beyond the principles and formulae.the principles and formulae.


PhysicsPhysicsPhysics 12Physics 12Here is a list of what I believe provide the Here is a list of what I believe provide the greatest challenges.greatest challenges.

ImpulseImpulse Circular MotionCircular Motion Non-uniform fieldsNon-uniform fields

GravitationalGravitationalElectricElectric

Lenz’s LawLenz’s Law Graphical Analysis (creating a Graphical Analysis (creating a straight line graph)straight line graph)



Other possible areas could Other possible areas could include:include:

… … … … … …

Physics 12Physics 12ImpulseImpulse

Analyze Impulse using a Force-Analyze Impulse using a Force-displacement graph.displacement graph.

Possible demoPossible demoForce sensor and computer interfaceForce sensor and computer interface

Physics 12Physics 12Circular MotionCircular Motion

As with the rest of the mechanics As with the rest of the mechanics section…section…

Stress Stress Free Body DiagramsFree Body Diagrams

Physics 12Physics 12Circular MotionCircular Motion

As with the rest of the mechanics As with the rest of the mechanics section…section…

Stress Stress Free Body DiagramsFree Body DiagramsAs well, here are a couple of easy As well, here are a couple of easy demos.demos.

Rotating platformRotating platform Conical pendulum (toy plane)Conical pendulum (toy plane)

Physics 12Physics 12Non-Uniform FieldsNon-Uniform Fields

Gravitational FieldsGravitational Fields

Stress the work energy theoremStress the work energy theoremStudents will want to “gravitate” towards Students will want to “gravitate” towards W=FdW=Fd

They have to understand that this They have to understand that this equation is only for constant force equation is only for constant force (uniform fields).(uniform fields).


Gravitational FieldsGravitational Fields

Universal Gravitational Potential Universal Gravitational Potential EnergyEnergy

EEpp = -GMM/r = -GMM/r

Conceptually discuss the reason two Conceptually discuss the reason two objects have a negative potential energy objects have a negative potential energy with respect to infinity (work energy with respect to infinity (work energy theorem).theorem). Must use Calculus to derive this Must use Calculus to derive this equation, not W=Fdequation, not W=Fd


Electric FieldsElectric Fields

Potential energy between two point Potential energy between two point chargescharges

EEpp = kQ = kQ11QQ22/r/r

Conceptually discuss the reason two Conceptually discuss the reason two charged objects may possess positive or charged objects may possess positive or negative potential energy with respect to negative potential energy with respect to infinity (work energy theorem).infinity (work energy theorem).


Electric FieldsElectric Fields

Electric Potential vs Potential Electric Potential vs Potential DifferenceDifference

Use analogy of a gravitational field.Use analogy of a gravitational field. DemoDemo

Van de Graaff generator and Van de Graaff generator and voltmetervoltmeter

Physics 12Physics 12Lenz’s LawLenz’s Law

Most students find the concept of Most students find the concept of “oppose the change” difficult.“oppose the change” difficult.

For some students, it is easier if For some students, it is easier if analyzed from a conservation of energy analyzed from a conservation of energy approach.approach.

Physics 12Physics 12Graphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis

How do you manipulate the x and y How do you manipulate the x and y axis variables to obtain a linear axis variables to obtain a linear

function?function?Hints:Hints:1.1. Start with the concept.Start with the concept.2.2. Choose the equation(s) that express Choose the equation(s) that express

that concept.that concept.3.3. Manipulate the equation, such that Manipulate the equation, such that

all the constants are on one side.all the constants are on one side.4.4. Interpret the relationship between Interpret the relationship between

the variables.the variables.


Ex. Ex.

A 1.0 kg ball, connected to a string, A 1.0 kg ball, connected to a string, travels in horizontal circle of radius travels in horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m. The experimenter measures 1.5 m. The experimenter measures the period of rotation for various the period of rotation for various string tensions. How should the string tensions. How should the axes be labelled to produce a linear axes be labelled to produce a linear graph?graph?


Solution:Solution:

1.1. The concept is circular motion.The concept is circular motion.Students would draw a free body Students would draw a free body

diagram to determine that the diagram to determine that the centripetal force is provided by the centripetal force is provided by the string tension.string tension.

Therefore: Centripetal Force = TensionTherefore: Centripetal Force = Tension


Solution:Solution:

FFcc = F = FTT

mamacc = = FFTT

m4m4ππ22r = Fr = FTT

TT22

m4m4ππ22r = Fr = FTT(T(T22))

m4m4ππ22r = Fr = FTT

1/T1/T22


Solution:Solution:

The y-axis should beThe y-axis should be FFTT

The x-axis should be The x-axis should be 1/T1/T22

top 5 challenges of teaching senior physics. this is a topic that would be best discussed...

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