Re: [Phys-L] treating force as a vector ... consistently

[Richard Heckathorn <geepaw@wowway.com>]

Greetings, I've read each of the interesting discussions dealing with Newton's laws, vectors, etc.

Over my years of teaching I have put together some power points dealing with the topics. I'm just wondering how much is OK and how much needs revision.


If you go to my website listed below select a column Operation Physics. Select 06 Newtons third law and then 06 investigations, power points and articles.

What I am referring to is some of the power points that I have included. Any revisions needed?

So I sit back and wait for the responses.

Have a Great Day

Website rheckathorn.weebly.com



> On Aug 20, 2016, at 6:35 PM, Bob Sciamanda <treborsci@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Scalars, Vectors and Tensors are MATHEMATICAL entities - used as calculational models of physical properties.
> There is a dangerous, but natural tendency to reify these MATHEMATICAL entities.  Fight it!
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Bob Sciamanda
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 6:19 PM
> To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
> Subject: Re: [Phys-L] treating force as a vector ... consistently
>
> Correction:
>
> My paraphrase should read:
> It makes no sense to tell students that NUMBER is
> a QUANTITY and then turn around and ask them to distinguish a NUMBER
> "here" from a NUMBER "over there".  It is a crime against the laws
> of mathematics.
>
> Bob Sciamanda
> Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
> treborsci@verizon.net
> www.sciamanda.com
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Bob Sciamanda
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 6:09 PM
> To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
> Subject: Re: [Phys-L] treating force as a vector ... consistently
>
> JD complained:
> "It makes no sense to tell students that force is
> a vector and then turn around and ask them to distinguish a force
> "here" from a force "over there".  It is a crime against the laws
> of mathematics."
>
> Let me paraphrase this remark:
> It makes no sense to tell students that QUANTITY is
> a NUMBER and then turn around and ask them to distinguish a QUANTITY
> "here" from a QUANTITY "over there".  It is a crime against the laws
> of mathematics.
>
> Like QUANTITY, VECTOR is a mathematical entity used as a calculational MODEL
> to represent a property of an entity.
> Just as the QUANTITY 2 can represent a property of my legs, the same
> QUANTITY 2 can represent the number of major American political parties -
> so the VECTOR F can represent several different forces (equal in magnitude
> and direction).  They are identical mathematical entities, but are used as
> models of different physical entities.
>
> Bob Sciamanda
> Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
> treborsci@verizon.net
> www.sciamanda.com
>
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>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@www.phys-l.org
> http://www.phys-l.org/mailman/listinfo/phys-l
>
> Bob Sciamanda
> Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
> treborsci@verizon.net
> www.sciamanda.com 
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@www.phys-l.org
> http://www.phys-l.org/mailman/listinfo/phys-l