Effective Teaching Strategies for Understanding Forces in Physics
Explore innovative methods to enhance student comprehension of forces in physics through clear and consistent force naming conventions. Emphasizing the importance of using three-word names for forces, this approach simplifies complex concepts and promotes a deeper understanding of Newton's Third Law. Avoid confusion by maintaining consistency in labeling forces and arrows, fostering a conducive learning environment for students.
- Teaching strategies
- Physics education
- Force naming conventions
- Student comprehension
- Newtons Third Law
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Free Body Diagrams Session A19 Amos Freeman Christian College Geelong a.freeman@ccg.vic.edu.au
So what are your backgrounds? 1. I studied Physics extensively beyond high school. 2. I studied Physics a little bit beyond high school. 3. I only studied Physics in high school. 4. I am a Chemistry, Systems, or Mathematics teacher who got roped into doing physics. 5. I m a Physical Education teacher, am I in the wrong place?
How many How many objects does it take to does it take to make a force? make a force? objects
Naming Forces with 3 word names: Object pushes/pulls object Object pushes/pulls object 1 2 3
What are three three forces acting on you you right now? *Don t forget to use three word names!
Benefits to teaching 3rd Law with 3 word names: The equal and opposite force can be found by switching the two objects in the name. Cat pushes Magpie Magpie pushes Cat
Names are consistent, but 3 words are all that is needed. This and all other images of textbooks are from Heinemann 3rd edition Physics Units 1-4
Names are consistent, but 3 words are all that is needed.
The labels on the forces and arrow style in this example portray a lack of consistency that leads to confusion.
Here is another style of labeling forces that can easily be muddled up in students heads when everytihing else is represented by a letter.
Possible Confusion from textbooks. Styles of arrows: Or?
Benefit of object pushes/pulls object for dealing with misconceptions around 1 misconceptions around 1st st law and objects remaining in motion: law If you can t come up with a three word name, there is no force. So a bowling ball that rolls at a constant velocity does not have something pushing it.
Can an object push itself? Ball pushes Ball Can an object push itself? Ball pushes Ball or Momentum pushes Ball or Momentum pushes Ball Try to push yourself over. Try to push yourself over. Shifting your centre of mass away from your base does not count because something else is then doing the pulling.
What are all of the forces acting on this box on a table? What is the sum of all the forces? box
Draw the object in question all by itself. So just draw a box box.
Drawing the object all by itself helps people remember to only include forces on that object forces on that object, whereas the tendency in a picture with a table is to include the forces on the table. only include
Gravity is not an object! Gravity is not an object!
How do those forces on the box a stack of books resting on top of the box? box change with Physics Physics Physics
Be systematic about identifying all of the forces Be systematic about identifying all of the forces acting on the object in question. acting on the object in question. Start with non Start with non touching forces, or forces at a touching forces, or forces at a distance. distance. Then go through all of the objects touching the Then go through all of the objects touching the object in question. Only one book is actually object in question. Only one book is actually touching the box in the last example. touching the box in the last example.
And our box pushed from the side, by a vertically challenged student, but is still not moving. box with books on it that is being Physics Physics Physics
To differentiate between forces that have the same names same names, like the friction and normal normal forces on the box in the previous example, use F Ff f and F FN N. friction F Ff f Table pushes box F FN N Table pushes box
Consistent with the text sometimes. What is T representing? This may be construed as a force of Tension, not a Normal force.
How about a plain box sitting on a hill? box on a table
Problem from the exam, Atwoods machine. Without friction, 2kg mass and 3kg box. Acceleration of the system and tension in the string?
What is the source of the forward force here? Ask a room full of students and you might hear: Tyres Pedals Feet Person Road Chain Gears Which one is correct?
Do you see some ways to make these forces easier to understand?
Other areas of study Other areas of study where FBD s can enhance where FBD s can enhance understanding. understanding.
Year 12 Year 12 Voltage, including Photoelectric effect stopping voltage exerting forces on charged particles. Circular Motion no force pushing out because no object to push! Material and their use in structures Torque with struts and ties.
What are some areas you What are some areas you can think of? can think of?
Amos Freeman Amos Freeman Christian College Geelong Christian College Geelong a.freeman@ccg.vic.edu.au a.freeman@ccg.vic.edu.au Please email me for electronic copies Please email me for electronic copies of the worksheets, this power point, of the worksheets, this power point, related lesson plans or related related lesson plans or related assessments. assessments. Questions are always welcome. Questions are always welcome. Happy diagraming! Happy diagraming!
