Regarding Jack's statement that agents of force should not be discussed:
I have had students discuss what causes a force. I've found that this helps students eliminate 'inertia' from the discussion of forces. I've taught that each force comes from an interaction and there must be something causing a force. Students eventually see that inertia doesn't have an obvious cause and then can't be a force.
I am curious what others have to say about this. Thanks for the input.
To wonder is to begin to understand.
Paul Lulai
Physics Teacher
St. Anthony Village Senior High
Saint Anthony Village, MN
55418
(w) 612-706-1144
(fax) 612-706-1020
plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us