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[Phys-L] The Make-Believe World of Real-World Physics



From: WC Maddox
Warning: This message may contain warped physics humor. If you have no sense of humor or if you have an enlargement of the ego problem stop reading now. If you are not a physicist why are you on Phys-L?
In the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy's "You maybe a Redneck if ____" (example: your satellite dish is covered by Kudzu)
You may be in an alternate universe from others on Phys-L if_____________.
1. If you cool LEDs with LN do the green ones turn yellow or do the yellow ones turn green?
2. Do you get the answers on Phys-L before the question? Perhaps you are in the Jeopardy (quiz show) universe.
3. In the McCloskey/Mazur drawing about the path of a dropped ball is path A on the left or right?
4. Does the caption below the original drawing say the person is running, walking or neither?
5. Do you define conserved the way Mazur does or do you say momentum is not conserved if there is an outside force?
6. Do you use i/j/k notation (or e notation) for unit vectors or something from Clifford algebra?
7. How many physicists in your universe know about Clifford algebra let alone use it below the graduate level?
8. Do you call axb a cross product or a wedge product?
9. Are all your students above average like in Lake Wobegon or do your students think V=IR, I=V/R and R=V/I are three independent equations and can't solve any of them?
10. Given a choice would you /your students select a physics text with generic problems and black & white drawings or one with problems that relate to commercially used devices and mentions real people & has colorful drawings?
11. Have electronic devices replaced drugs as the addiction of choice?
12. Do sensors that are supposed to turn on lights if you enter a dark hallway instead turn lights off if you enter a brightly lit hall?
13. Do you consider a bug that eats kudzu a problem or a solution?

PS If you like to criticize questions on standard tests here is one you may not be familiar with since it was designed for astronomy: Newtonian Gravity Concept Inventory. An article is in Astronomical Education Review (online).
PSS If you have a really slow day before classes start try searching for articles about stellar aberration and see how many mistakes you can find.

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