Second Edition
John Wiley & Sons, 2007
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Second Edition John Wiley & Sons, 2007 |
Detailed article on all aspects of M&I; a chapter from an on-line volume Research-based Reform of University Physics, edited by Redish and Cooney.
R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "Bringing atoms
into first-year physics," American Journal of
Physics
67(12), 1045-1050 (Dec. 1999) pdf
file (available by permission of American Journal of Physics)
Abstract: We argue that thermal physics should not be treated as a separate
topic in introductory physics. The first-year calculus-based college physics
should offer a modern, unified view of physics representative of the contemporary
scientific enterprise. It should focus on the consequences of the central fact
that matter is composed of atoms, and on the process of modeling physical systems.
Such a focus is more interesting and relevant to students than a repetition
of a purely classical treatment. We give an example of a course that emphasizes
physical modeling of phenomena in terms of the atomic nature of matter. Thermal
physics is woven into the entire course and is fully integrated with classical
and semiclassical mechanics.
R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "Modern Mechanics,"
American Journal of Physics 72(4), 439-445, (April
2004) pdf file (available
by permission of American Journal of Physics)
Abstract: We consider the goals of the introductory course
in classical mechanics taken by physics majors and argue both that these goals
are not well met in
actual courses and that the goals themselves should be rethought. We propose
alternative goals and describe an introductory “modern mechanics” course
that addresses these alternative goals. Included in the description are several
genres of homework problems that are nearly absent from traditional
mechanics courses at both the introductory and intermediate levels. The intermediate
mechanics course could be restructured to exploit a broader foundation laid
by the introductory course.
R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "Restructuring
the introductory electricity and magnetism course," American
Journal of Physics 74(4), 329-336, (April 2006) pdf
file (available by permission of American Journal of
Physics)
Abstract: In the electricity and magnetism (E&M) segment of the traditional
introductory calculus-based physics course, many new and increasingly abstract
concepts,
embodied in complex formal relations, are introduced at a rapid pace. As a
result, many students find E&M significantly more difficult than classical
mechanics. We describe a different intellectual structure for the E&M
course that stresses conceptual coherence, connects the abstract field concept
to concrete microscopic
models of matter, and follows a clear story line, culminating in the classical
model of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter. This sequence
has proven to be effective in teaching the basic concepts of E&M.
A book review by Joe Heafner of Matter & Interactions appeared in the December 2003 issue of The Physics Teacher.
A post-use book review by Aaron Titus of Matter & Interactions appeared in the April 2006 issue of The American Journal of Physics.
Errata for the Matter & Interactions textbook.
VPython computational physics activities for introductory physics. These were developed for the Matter & Interactions curriculum but may provide ideas for student computational projects in other curricula.
Fundamental principles in introductory physics and A more coherent topic sequence for E&M, talks presented by Ruth Chabay and Bruce Sherwood at the 2004 International Conference on Physics Education, Durban, South Africa (pdf).
The zero of potential energy is not arbitrary, a talk presented by Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay at a meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers in Rochester NY, July 2001 (PowerPoint).
Choice of system and the energy equation, a talk presented by Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay at a meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers in Sacramento CA, August 2004 (PowerPoint).
The point-particle system, a talk presented by Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay at a meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers in San Antonio TX, August 1999 (pdf).
Sparks, a talk presented by Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay at a meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers in Madison WI, August 2003 (PowerPoint).
A unified treatment of electrostatics and circuits by Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay, an unpublished manuscript dealing with the role of surface charge in electric circuits (pdf).
Refraction and the speed of light, a note by Bruce Sherwood (pdf).
Overview: Volume 1 (Modern Mechanics) (PowerPoint)
Overview: Volume 2 (Electric & Magnetic Interactions) (PowerPoint)
Images from a computer model of surface charge on a circuit, by Prof. Norris Preyer, College of Charleston, South Carolina, http://galaxy.cofc.edu/circuits.html