Re: [Phys-l] Deceleration or Negative Acceleration

[ludwik kowalski <kowalskil@mail.montclair.edu>]

On Sep 9, 2008, at 2:01 PM, Steve Highland wrote:

> > On 09/09/2008 07:02 AM, pschoch@nac.net wrote:
> > > A student has asked which is
> > > proper terminology: "Negative Acceleration" or "Deceleration".
>
> I agree with everything you have to say below.  What I'm wondering  
> about
> is what is the best order in which to introduce these things to  
> students?

One possibility is to begin with static equilibrium. The net force is  
zero and acceleration does not have to be mentioned. Introduce vectors  
and their components in that context. The preliminary unit of force  
could be pound.

Then go to a=F/m, where the preliminary unit of acceleration is lb/kg.  
Then show that go to the "official" unit a acceleration, m/s^2. Is  
this a better alternative, in terms of teaching efficiency? This would  
have to be tested.

Ludwik Kowalski, a retired physics teacher
5 Horizon Road, Apt. 2702, Fort Lee, NJ, 07024, USA
Also an amateur journalist at http://csam.montclair.edu/~kowalski/cf/