[Phys-L] Re: Energy is primary and fundamental???

[kowalskil at MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU (Ludwik Kowalski)]

On Thursday, Aug 11, 2005, Jim Green wrote:

> I find myself wondering what has come over the list.
> Do we really want to debate whether the fellow who
> smacks you on the nose has applied a "force"?  If
> there is anything real in his galaxy, that is real. But
> "energy"???  For Pete's sake energy is an invention!
> It certainly isn't "primary and fundamental" . . . .

I tend to agree with Jim. Constructing a 100% "energy first" sequence,
for the first physics course is probably possible. That is likely to be
a challenging task for a retired teacher. But is it worth implementing?
I am not at all certain. We might loose more than we gain, especially
in the present, not very healthy, educational environment.

Ludwik Kowalski
Let the perfect not be the enemy of the good.