Re: Circuit Question

[Bob Sciamanda <trebor@VELOCITY.NET>]

Tina,
I know others have a different view, but I take "Ohm's law" as simply a
definition of resistance - it defines a useful property of matter in many
common DC circuit circumstances.  I think this is the simplest way to
present it.  The definition tells us how to measure the resistance of a
"resistor".  Then a problem can specify the EMFs and the relevant
resistances in a circuit, so that the student can calculate currents and
potential differences.  Don't weaken. Learn by teaching and asking.

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
www.velocity.net/~trebor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tina Fanetti" <fanettt@QUEST.WITCC.CC.IA.US>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Circuit Question


> Thank you to all who answered.
>
> However, is it really vaild to answer a question about a concept by saying
look at this or that law.
> I mean really.  I can solve for Ohm's law in a variety of situations.  ANd
I can look at Ohm's law and know if I have a circuit this and that is going
to happen.
> Now I have a masters degree.  I am teaching people who can barely solve
algebraic problems.
> If I told them to look at Ohm's law and think real hard about it they
would revolt.  The students would not get it and quit.
> Yes I can say look at Ohm's law and show them via Ohm's law but that
doesn't help us.
> I am now afraid to ask any more questions on this list for fear they are
too "simple" for the people on this list.
> It seems like this list is geared more towards topics at the advanced
level and grad level and not to the intro topics that most must teach.
> Tina