Re: contribution of mathematics...

["Darwin Z. Palima" <dpalima@nip.upd.edu.ph>]

On Mon, 27 Apr 1998, Donald E. Simanek wrote:

> We can demonstrate the sincerity of our support of the importance of
> math by actually using appropriate math in our physics courses, and
> using it in a meaningful way, not merely as number-crunching and
> plug-and-solve. 

I once encountered an introduction to a mathematical physics book saying
that learning physics means having know more math than a math major. I
think we all agree of math's importance in the study of physics. However,
I think one problem is that coming to an introductory physics class, a
student carries with him some expectations and misconceptions: (e.g., it
is an application of math or that it is nothing but a process of
memorizing formulas to be used in solving (end-of-chapter) problems).
Therefore, I feel that students must be given an introduction on the role
of mathematics in physics. Being able to demonstrate that we can explain 
a phenomena by simply looking at an equation helps.

On 4/16/98 Jeffery Rondo wrote:  
> John Wheeler has said that you shouldn't do a calculation until you know
> what the answer will be.

Everytime I ask beginning introductory electromagnetism students to
express Newton's second law in their own words, one answer is given by the
majority: Force equals mass times acceleration.

If we can help the students appreciate that an equation is not just *one
of those formulas* they encounter but a concise way of describing nature
such that one equation may help them find an answer before doing a long
calculation, we might have achieved something. 

On 4/16/98 Jeffery Rondo wrote:
> John Wheeler has said that you shouldn't do a calculation until you know
> what the answer will be.      

-Darwin