Re: Current Flow (shouldn't it be "charge flow?")

[Rick Tarara <rbtarara@SPRYNET.COM>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim O'Donnell" <odonnt@CELINA.K12.OH.US>


> Would it be better for me to define a 1 ampere current to
> be to flow of 6.24 X 10^18 electrons and not even
> mention coulombs.  Students at least think they have an
> understanding of electrons.


OK in a purely conceptual course, but if there is any problem solving to be
done, units matter!

Rick

[Having just finished induction where it is not at all obvious from the
initial units that one will end up with Volts for the induced emf--of course
the students just wrote down the numerical answers and threw in the Volts!]

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Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
219-284-4664
rtarara@saintmarys.edu

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