Re: [Phys-L] let's define energy

[Paul Nord <paul.nord@valpo.edu>]

On Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 12:33 PM, John Denker <jsd@av8n.com> wrote:

> On 09/25/2015 07:04 AM, Paul Nord wrote:
>
> > I heard some good debate on the idea of making an "Energy Concepts
> > Inventory" something like the FCI (Force Concepts Inventory).  The
> > conclusion seemed to be that the sciences use the term energy in so many
> > different ways that science needs to sort this out before we can expect
> > students to clearly articulate these concepts.
>
> 1) Is this debate documented anywhere?  In particular, is
>  there something that interested parties could read and
>  then cite?
>
> 2) How many different definitions of /physics/ energy are
>  we talking about?  Is there more than one serious contender?

 There was some good discussion at the 2011 AAPT summer meeting in Omaha.
Look for the session:
PER: Student Reasoning II
https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/sm2011/sessionpanel.cfm?type=other&sort=name

I particularly recommend looking for anything Stamatis Vokos wrote on the
subject.  His philosophy is quite deep, so I wouldn't pretend to understand
everything he said.

Also from that session Rachel Scherr provided a nice overview of the
discussions of forms of energy given by various state standards.  To quote
her abstract: "We offer examples of intuitive ontologies for energy that we
have observed in classroom contexts, including energy as a quasi-material
substance; as a means of activation; as a fuel; and as an ineffable
quantity which is not subject to further analysis. In the classroom,
multiple and overlapping metaphors for energy complement one another in
complex representations of physical phenomena. "
She mentioned standards in several states where they have interesting
acronyms to memorize the forms of energy: SCREAM - Sound, Chemical,
Radiant, Electrical, Atomic, Mechanical
Googling now for other ideas:
http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/forms_of_energy.htm
http://burnanenergyjournal.com/forms-of-energy-motion-heat-light-sound-2/
http://mskuksclass.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/7/1/19719395/8207568_orig.jpg

Please don't hate me for showing you these.  :)

Paul