Re: Relationship between Earth Moon

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

Hi Tina-
        Sorry, but I don't think that you have justified your conclusion
that "most think ..."  More likely, I think, is the conclusion that your
people do not understand the notion of a scale drawing in the context of
the given astronomy problem.
                                Regards,
                                        Jack



On Fri, 14 Sep 2001, Tina Fanetti wrote:

> > > > I find it hard to believe the statement above.
> How did you obtain the data that suggests that
> "most students in college do not grasp the relationship
> between the earth and the moon" and that "most think
> that the moon is close enough to take a plane to?<<<<
>
>
> I came to this conclusion based on interviews and on surveys handed o=
> ut to students.  The survey questions were:
>
> 1..  Explain, as clearly as you can, why it is the Moon sometimes app=
> ears as a full bright circle like this,  (drawing of circle)=09and so=
> metimes the Moon can appear as a crescent like this, (drawing of cres=
> cent).
>
> 2.  .  On the back of this page, draw the Earth-Moon System as a scal=
> e model.  (This means draw the Earth and Moon the correct sizes for a=
>  sheet of paper.  Also, make sure that you have the correct distance =
> apart for a sheet of paper.)  Don't worry about being exact, just be =
> as close as you can.  Please explain why you drew the Earth-Moon Syst=
> em the way you did.  Please be sure to label all the items in you ske=
> tch!
>
> After collecting all the surveys, before and after instruction.  I me=
> asured the circles and set up ratios.  Most Student drew the earth an=
> d moon less then 3 earth diameters apart. =20
>
> I can send you the actual data if you would like
>
> Tina
>
>
>
>
> Tina Fanetti
> Physics Instructor
> Western Iowa Technical Community College
> 4647 Stone Ave
> Sioux City IA 51102
> 712-274-8733 ext 1429
>
> > > > Herbert H Gottlieb <herbgottlieb@JUNO.COM> 09/10/01 05:46PM >>>
> On Mon, 10 Sep 2001 10:09:53 -0500 Tina Fanetti
> <FanettT@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US> writes:
> > I would have to agree with the statement that most students in
> > college do not grasp the relationship between the Earth and the Moo=
> n.
> =3D20
> > My thesis was looking at college students' scale of the Earth-Moon
> > system and most think that the Moon is close enough to take a plane
> > to.
> >
> > Tina
>
>
>
>
> Herb

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