Re: [Phys-l] More Stupidity in state exams

[William Robertson <wrobert9@ix.netcom.com>]

The major problem with the "shorthand" explanation is that it simply  
does not make sense. When things don't make sense, then people  
memorize. Agreed that it is not being pedantic. It is a downright  
crime to use the shorthand rather than the explanation that makes  
sense. So many people do not even know what it means for science and  
math to make sense. They (including teachers) have memorized  
procedures and are lost when asked to explain the mechanism behind  
their memorized procedures.

Bill



On Aug 9, 2011, at 5:08 PM, John Clement wrote:

> While this may be shorthand, it confuses the students and makes them  
> think
> you get energy by breaking any bonds.  It is not being pedantic, it  
> is being
> careful so that students understand that energy is always required to
> "break" bonds and that you get energy by forming other bonds.   
> Ignoring the
> part of the reaction where the bonds are formed is a big problem.   
> You have
> a system which contains energy and by rearranging it, breaking and  
> forming
> new bonds, you have net energy output.