Re: [Phys-l] momentum first and relativistic mass

[John Barrer <forcejb@yahoo.com>]

--- Richard  Tarara <rbtarara@sprynet.com> wrote: SNIP

 I guess what I
> am saying is that I 
> can't see a group that can't work with simple
> fractions (the Carnot 
> efficiency equation is a great mystery), who often
> pick up the calculator to 
> multiply by one, who ALWAYS pick it up to divide by
> 10, who can't fathom a 
> 1/r^2 dependency, (and many other mathematical
> deficiencies--for most but 
> not all) ever really 'understanding' special
> relativity.  Understanding is 
> not the goal--accepting that there are reproducible
> phenomena that require 
> this newer model is the goal.  I would push for
> understanding at the 'modern 
> physics' level of coursework--physics majors, maybe
> science/engineering 
> majors.  I'm not sure everyone here understands how
> difficult it is to get 
> intro students to understand Newton's Laws--how
> difficult the Force Concept 
> Inventory is for most students.  Understanding
> Special Relativity is a 
> difficult goal.  

VERY well said. Frequently people seem to talk past
each other on this list largely b/c (IMO) they are
serving VERY different audiences. Teaching physics
majors is a whole different kettle of fish than trying
to dislodge the naive beliefs of intro HS students and
get them to accept Newt mechs.

John Barrere