Physics Colloquium - Spring 2005 - Helping students develop an understanding of net force in rotational dynamics*
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Presents
Luanna G. Ortiz
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Helping students develop an understanding of net force in rotational dynamics*
Abstract
In addition to difficulties with new concepts required for analyzing rigid body motion, many students are often unable to apply to extended objects what they had previously learned about particle dynamics. In particular, many students cannot correctly account for the translational and rotational motion of rigid bodies using the concepts of net force, net torque, and center of mass. An empirical study of student performance on written problems has shown that traditional instruction does not sufficiently address their conceptual difficulties. Findings from this study have been used to guide the design of supplemental instructional materials to address some of the most serious of these difficulties. A tutorial on the dynamics of rigid bodies published in Tutorials in Introductory Physics by McDermott et al. will be described.
*The initial study and the curriculum development project took place at the University of Washington. Special thanks are given to Lillian C. McDermott and to present and past members of the University of Washington Physics Education Group. This research has been supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
Friday, February 4, 2005
3:10 pm
140 Bennett Hall
Refreshments will follow in Rm. 114, Bennett Hall
Back to Physics Colloquium - Spring 2005
