-----Original Message-----
From: Forum for Physics Educators
On Behalf Of Rick Tarara
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: little gee and its sign
Free fall IS the most available example of objects accelerating at a
constant rate and is therefore prime fodder for kinematics problems. Almost
all of the other accelerations that are made up for kinematics problems are
unrealistic. ******************************************************
There are a host of good problems that can be developed that center around
the acceleration and braking distances of cars, such as braking times,
yellow light duration of traffic lights, the effect of drunk driving on
braking distances, highway entrance ramp distances, etc. These are relevant
to most students. I am developing/have developed (still a work in progress)
a mechanics unit using these topics. http://www.sci-ed-ga.org/modules/driving/index.html
Dr. Lawrence D. Woolf; General Atomics; 3550 General Atomics Court, San
Diego, CA 92121; Phone:858-455-4475; FAX:858-455-4268; http://www.sci-ed-ga.org