Re: [Phys-l] [PTSOS] Re: posted on X (no units)

[Dean Baird <dean@phyz.org>]

Careful readers observed the words "in this case" in my response.

Poor practice by whose judgment?

The fact remains: Nothing distinguishes a force of 0 N from one of 0  
lbs or 0 dynes.

 In the context of a text-based series of distractors, a numerical  
solution with units is... distracting.

Had the distractors all been measurements (9.8 N, 4.9 N, etc.), a  
choice of 0 N would have been appropriate for parallel structure.

Dean Baird
http://phyz.org
(curious to see how many weeks pass before this note actually posts; I  
think the October 28 subission that didn't post until November 6 holds  
the record for now)

On Nov 6, 2009, at 8:51 AM, Bernard Cleyet  
<bernardcleyet@redshift.com> wrote:

> Good point; die Panzer.
>
> bc
>
>
> On 2009, Nov 06, , at 08:34, marx@phy.ilstu.edu wrote:
>
> > Students have enough trouble remembering to include and check
> > units.  It is poor practice to omit units
> > when the result is zero.  For example: 0 F is not equal to 0 C or 0  
> > K.
> >
> >
> >
> > On 6 Nov 2009 at 8:26, Bernard Cleyet wrote:
> >
> > > _____________________________________________________________________  

> > > ___
> > > 4.1. Re: motion problem
> > >     Posted by: x
> > >     Date: Thu Nov 5, 2009 10:45 pm ((PST))
> > >
> > > I'm in the middle of jury duty, but I would recommend dropping the
> > > term "newtons." Zero In this case does not require units: 0 N = 0
> > > lb =
> > > 0 dynes.
> > >
> > >
> > > --------------
> > >
> > > Am I all wet, or is this a very bad practice?
> > >
> > > bc, not w/ the flow?
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Forum for Physics Educators
> > > Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> > > https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Forum for Physics Educators
> > Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> > https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PTSOS/
>
> <*> Your email settings:
>    Individual Email | Traditional
>
> <*> To change settings online go to:
>    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PTSOS/join
>    (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> <*> To change settings via email:
>    PTSOS-digest@yahoogroups.com
>    PTSOS-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
>
> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>    PTSOS-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/