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Gday All,
John Denker earlier stated <Again: Just because Einstein used contracted
rulers and dilated
clocks in 1905 doesn't mean it is a good idea. In fact it is a terrible
idea. It is *incompatible* with a modern (post-1908) understanding of the
subject.>
In our state mandated Physics Syllabus, the document we base our teaching
on and on which our state wide assessment material is based it says (in
part)
1. identify that if c is constant then space and time become relative
2. discuss the concept that length standards are defined in terms of time
in contrast to the original metre standard
3. explain qualitatively and quantitatively the consequence of special
relativity in relation to:
the relativity of simultaneity the equivalence between mass and
energy length contraction time dilation mass dilation
Remembering that student are going to be asked question directly on this
material, what is the *best* approach for giving my students a good intro
level understanding of relativity while at the same time enabling them to
answer questions in the state test?
They are asked questions such as
a) How has our understanding of time been influenced by the discovery of
the constancy of the speed of light?
b) piece of radioactive material of mass 2.5 kilogram undergoes
radioactive decay. How much energy is released if 10 grams of this mass
are converted to energy during the decay process?
c) A mass is moving in an inertial frame of reference at a velocity v
relative to a stationary observer. The observer measures an apparent mass
increase of 0.37%.Calculate the value of v in m/s.
Regards
Peter Craft
Head Teacher Science
Corowa High School
Phone 02 6033 1889
Fax 02 6033 1889
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