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Your simile is close to the way I described to him my feelings about an
essentially conceptual approach (like watching a great movie on a
14-inch black and white TV) vs. teaching students how to approach and
analyze physics mathematically (like watching the same great movie in
color in a nice theatre with stereo).
So, no, I don't think learning about the history of physics adds
anything as dramatic as colorization to the conceptual fabric upon which
physics is built. But I think learning to use the mathematics does that
for a physics class.
BTW, I also believe that an introductory physics course which is *all*
mathematics is like many of todays's offerings from Hollywood: all
color and noise, lousy screenplay and direction :-)
Best wishes,
Larry
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Larry Cartwright <exit60@cablespeed.com>
Retired (June 2001) Physics Teacher
Charlotte MI 48813 USA
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