Re: A list of textbook misconceptions

["Paul Camp" <pjcamp@coastal.edu>]

> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 09:41:09 -0600
> From: trammell@fn872.fnal.gov (John Trammell)
> Subject: Explanation of airfoils [was: Right, wrong, and switching opinions]
>
> This message ("The Physics of Flight: It's Newton not Bernoulli") may be
> appropriate for starting a list of common misconceptions that we, teachers,
> propagate on the basis of what is in our textbooks. So let us start the
> list. Please add your own item (but keep it short, elaborate in a separate
> message) and repost the list.
>
>                  A LIST OF TEXTBOOK MISCONCEPTIONS
>                *************************************
>
> 1) The Physics of Flight: It's Newton not Bernoulli.
>
> 2) The green house effect: suppression of convection is the main factor.
>
> 3) Capacitors in series: the equilibrated charges are not equal in dc 
>    the circuits.
>
> 4) Melting of ice under skating blades is due to high pressure.

5) Coriolis effect makes the toilet water go round and round

6) Deans know what they are doing at least some of the time

7) Batteries are sources of charge

8) My house is dirty because of El Nino

Number 8 is my story and I'm sticking to it.


Paul J. Camp                   "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics  consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University     in variety but also of 
Conway, SC   29528              variety in unity.
pjcamp@coastal.edu                    --Umberto Eco
pjcamp@postoffice.worldnet.att.net    The Name of the Rose
(803)349-2227                         
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