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Re: [Phys-l] g...



--- posted ---
It is inntuitively and experienbtially obvious
that it is harder to push a truck, than a wheelbarrow - the essential
difference is mass, not weight. The notion of field is not necessary at
this point, so I don't see that F/m is all that difficult.
--- end ---

However, my current batch of high school freshman had a pretty involved discussion regarding if it would still be hard to push a medicine ball in space. They know, because they've been told several times growing up, that they weigh less on the moon while they have the same mass. They do not know what this means. It took quite a chunk of time to convince them that a larger mass accelerates at a lower rate than a smaller mass in space. We started with kids sliding across the floor in their desks to kids on skateboards to make our point. In either case, the big kid requires more F to a. But like I said, this took about a class period. To use this and apply this new knowledge can be trouble.

Of course, maybe using this is the way to make it stick.

Paul Lulai
Physics Teacher & Online Learning Coordinator
St. Anthony Village Senior High
Saint Anthony Village, MN
55418
(w) 612-706-1144
(fax) 612-706-1020
plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us