November 16, 2019 Filed in:
ArticlesRoberta Tevlin, OAPT Newsletter Editor, Teacher at Danforth CTI
roberta@tevlin.ca
One of the standard parts of an introductory physics course is a study of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. They are part of the Ontario curriculum for grade 11 physics and most teachers would agree that they are essential. Chris Meyer has presented an improved way to teach the three laws of motion that will deepen student understanding:
Teaching Forces I and
Teaching Forces II.
In this article, I hope to reinforce Chris’ approach with a look at how the history of these three laws is wrongly presented.
Read More...Tags: Forces, History, Kinematics, Motion, Pedagogy, Projectile Motion
June 10, 2017 Filed in:
ArticlesRoberta Tevlin, Editor, OAPT Newsletter
Roberta.tevlin@tdsb.on.ca
Edited by Tim Langford
Projectile motion often involves a lot of mathematical problem-solving that is overly simplified and highly contrived. Football players do not stop to calculate the range before making a pass. Invading armies might want to make calculations for siege weapons, but these tend to be too complicated (trebuchets) or involve too much energy loss (catapults). Guess and check, was probably the preferred technique. Fortunately there is a cheap and reliable projectile launcher that you can use to show that physics works. Your students will be able to use it to hit a target on their first shot by using calculations for conservation of energy and projectile motion.
Read More...Tags: Energy, Kinematics, Motion, Projectile Motion
November 11, 2016 Filed in:
ArticlesEric Haller, OCT
rickyhaller@hotmail.com
It’s autumn, and maybe you’re looking for a new way to impress your physics students this semester. I find it easy to amaze my class by using various forms of technology in my lessons. Often our students don’t realize how tech savvy physicists need to be, picturing us using chalkboards to give lectures and not
using supercomputers at CERN or developing
video games which use physics simulations. Ok maybe I’ve never been to CERN or made a video game, but I can make my own GIFs. In this article I’m going to show you some GIFs you can use in your lessons, and also teach you how to make your own GIFs.
Read More...Tags: Motion, Projectile Motion, Technology
October 30, 2015 Filed in:
ArticlesMargaret Scora, Teacher at Monsignor Paul Dwyer CHS
mscora@sympatico.ca
It is very important to have our students engaged in the classroom in order for deep learning to occur. Your students need opportunities to use their creative spark and build on their 21st century learning skills.
Peter Benson’s TED talk does a great job of presenting how important this is.
Ideas for projects proliferate but many of these are time-consuming, expensive and beyond the skills of an average student and the tools of an average physics classroom. However, your students can build a catapult with K’Nex™ in just one class with virtually no prep and no trips to the wood shop.
Read More...Tags: Contest, Energy, Projectile Motion, STEM
November 01, 2007 Filed in:
Demo CornerRolly Meisel
rollym@vaxxine.com
Having students construct and launch a water rocket is an entertaining way to investigate Newton's Third Law of motion. Students can construct the rockets at home for an in-class launching session.
Read More...Tags: Forces, Projectile Motion
July 01, 1999 Filed in:
Demo CornerDiana Hall, Bell High School, Nepean, Ontario
Diana_Hall@ocdsb.edu.on.ca
This is a very popular game I have played with my OAC physics class. It incorporates the concepts of conservation of energy and projectile motion.
Read More...Tags: Energy, Projectile Motion
