Re: What Flows?

["Paul Camp" <pjcamp@coastal.edu>]

> Spoken like a true constructionist.  BUT note that the cartoons these
> students are familiar with condones the idea of impetus.  Do you want to
> start their study of mechanics *there* and progress slowly to F=ma???   How
> far back into the pre-dark-ages does one go tho start??  How much time does
> one have for mythological physics??  In the college setting, there is not
> enough time even for Serway as it is.
>    
> Jim.Green@Snow.edu
> Heat is not energy.
> Heat does not flow.
> Heat is work!!!!

Like it or not, that is exactly where you _are_ starting. The only 
remaining question, then, is: how do you deal with it? Preaching the 
truth is ineffective, regardless of its rectitude. It is the 
preaching that is flawed, not the material. As far as Serway goes, it 
has way too much stuff in it anyway and I don't know anybody who 
covers it all. I prefer to stick to what I regard as the core 
material and this semester that means Newtonian mechanics. 

 

Paul J. Camp                   "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics  consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University     in variety but also of 
Conway, SC   29528              variety in unity.
pjcamp@csd1.coastal.edu             --Umberto Eco
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