Re: [Phys-l] g...

["R. McDermott" <rmcder@gmail.com>]

Well let's see, Herb...  I guess one possibility might be that some kids 
might fail the Regents exam that shouldn't, since they might elect to use 
the value provided on the reference table (and which matches answers in 
previous exams they might have studied in preparing).  Or, I might give 
credit to answers that do not comform to the answers the state certified as 
correct in the scoring key.  If the state subsequently audits my high school 
(which sometimes happens), then grades would be adjusted precipitating a 
major problem for the district.  I suppose I could lose my job for 
improperly scoring Regents exams (which happened to a teacher at my school a 
few years back).  Since I'm retiring this year, I suppose I could do 
whatever I please, but frankly I'm not nearly as exorcised about using 9.81 
as you appear to be.  I'll just point out that the AP uses 10 which is 
obviously not "correct" either.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Herb Gottlieb" <herbgottlieb@juno.com>
To: <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Cc: <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 10:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] g...


> What, if anything, will happen if you do not conform , and use a correct
> value for the acceleration of gravity in your course and while grading
> the students' regents examination in June?
>
>
> On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:18:03 -0500 "R. McDermott" <rmcder@gmail.com>
> writes:
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Herb Gottlieb" <herbgottlieb@juno.com>
> > To: <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
> > Cc: <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
> > Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2006 8:58 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Phys-l] g...
> >
> > >
> > > On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 08:13:29 -0500 "R. McDermott"
> > <rmcder@gmail.com>
> > > writes:
> > > I introduce g as the strength of a  gravitational field due to
> > > the  Earth, remind them that it varies  with  distance, etc, and has
> a value of 9.81 N/kg at the Earth's
> > > surface.
> > >
> >  If you wrote that g has a value of 9.8 N/kg at the Earth's
> > surface,  I would agree. But is it correct to add the additional
> > significant  figure  and make it 9.81 here??
> >
> > NY State syllabus (and reference table) now gives it as 9.81, not
> > 9.8 as in  previous years.  We are obliged to conform.