search for books and compare prices
Tables of Contents for Teaching Introductory Physics
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Underpinnings
1
22
Introduction
1
1
Area
1
1
Exercises with ``Area''
2
1
Volume
3
1
Mastery of Concepts
3
1
Ratios and Division
4
1
Verbal Interpretation of Ratios
4
1
Exercises in Verbal Interpretation
5
2
Comment on Verbal Exercises
7
1
Arithmetical Reasoning Involving Division
8
1
Graphs and Arithmetical Reasoning
9
3
Scaling and Ratio Reasoning
12
3
Elementary Trigonometry
15
1
Horizontal, Vertical, North, South, Noon, Midnight
16
1
Interpretation of Simple Algebraic Statements
17
1
Language
18
2
Why Bother with Underpinnings
20
1
Examples of Homework and Test Questions
21
2
Rectilinear Kinematics
23
33
Introduction
23
1
Misleading Equations and Terminology
23
2
Events: Positions and Clock Readings
25
1
Instantaneous Position
26
1
Introduction to the Concept of ``Average Velocity''
26
2
Graphs of Position versus Clock Reading
28
2
Instantaneous Velocity
30
2
Algebraic Signs
32
1
Acceleration
32
3
Graphs of Velocity versus Clock Reading
35
1
Areas
36
1
Top of the Flight
37
1
Solving Kinematics Problems
38
1
Use of Computers
39
1
Research on Velocity Concept
40
2
Research on Acceleration Concept
42
3
Implications of the Research Results
45
1
Galileo and the Birth of Modern Science
46
4
Observation and Inference
50
1
Examples of Homework and Test Questions
51
5
Elementary Dynamics
56
51
Introduction
56
1
Logical Structure of the Laws of Motion
57
2
An Operational Interpretation of the First Law
59
1
A Numerical Scale of Force
60
2
Inertial Mass
62
2
Superposition of Masses and Forces
64
1
Textbook Presentations of the Second Law
65
1
Weight and Mass
66
1
Gravitational versus Inertial Mass
67
2
Understanding the Law of Inertia
69
4
Some Linguistic Problems
73
1
The Third Law and Free-Body Diagrams
74
4
Logical Status of the Third Law
78
2
Distributed Forces
80
1
Different Arrows for Different Concepts
80
1
Understanding Gravitational Effects
81
7
Strings and Tension
88
1
``Massless'' Strings
89
1
The ``Normal'' Force at an Interface
90
2
Accelerated Objects not ``Thrown Backwards''
92
2
Friction
94
2
Demonstrations of ``Inertia''
96
1
Different Kinds of ``Equalities''
97
2
Solving Problems
99
2
Sample Homework and Test Questions
101
6
Motion in Two Dimensions
107
28
Vectors and Vector Arithmetic
107
1
Defining a ``Vector''
108
1
Components of Vectors
109
2
Projectile Motion
111
3
Phenomenological Thinking and Reasoning
114
2
Radian Measure and π
116
2
Rotational Kinematics
118
1
Preconceptions Regarding Circular Motion
119
2
Centripetal Force Exerted by Colinear Forces
121
3
Non-Colinear Forces
124
3
Frames of Reference and Fictitious Forces
127
1
The Two-Body Problem
128
3
Torque
131
3
Sample Homework and Test Questions
134
1
Momentum and Energy
135
32
Introduction
135
1
Developing the Vocabulary
136
1
Describing Everyday Phenomena
137
1
Force and Rate of Change of Linear Momentum
138
1
Heat and Temperature
139
3
Impulse-Momentum and Work-Kinetic Energy Theorems
142
3
Real Work and Pseudowork
145
1
The Law of Conservation of Energy
146
2
Digression Concerning Enthalpy
148
2
Work and Heat in Sliding Friction
150
3
Deformable System with Zero-Work Force
153
1
Rolling Down an Inclined Plane
154
3
Inelastic Collision
157
1
Some Illuminating Exercises
158
3
Spiralling Back
161
2
Sample Homework and Test Questions
163
4
Static Electricity
167
21
Introduction
167
1
Distinguishing Electric, Magnetic, and Gravitational Interactions
168
1
Electric Charge
169
1
Electrostatics Experiments at Home
170
1
Like and Unlike Charges
171
3
Electric Charges and Magnetic Poles
174
3
Polarization
177
2
Charging by Induction
179
1
Coulomb's Law
179
3
Electrostatic Interaction and Newton's Third Law
182
1
Sharing Charge Between Two Spheres
183
1
Conservation of Charge
184
1
Electrical Field Strength
185
1
Superposition
186
2
Current Electricity
188
30
Introduction
188
1
Static or Current Electricity First?
189
1
Current Electricity as Charge in Motion
190
4
Formation of Basic Circuit Concepts
194
4
Phenomenology of Simple Circuits
198
2
Historical Development of Ohm's Law
200
4
Teaching Electrical Resistance and Ohm's Law
204
1
Current: A Bulk or Surface Phenomenon?
205
1
Building the Current-Circuit Model
206
2
Conventional Current Versus Electron Current
208
1
Not Every Load Obeys Ohm's Law
209
1
Free Electrons in Metals
210
4
Sample Homework and Test Questions
214
4
Electromagnetism
218
16
Introduction
218
1
Oersted's Experiment
219
3
Forces Between Magnets and Current Carrying Conductors
222
1
Ampere's Experiment
223
2
Mnemonics and the Computer
225
1
Faraday's Law in a Multiply Connected Region
226
1
Faraday's Criticism of Action at a Distance
227
3
Infancy of the ``Field'' Concept
230
3
Laboratory Measurement of a Value of B
233
1
Waves and Light
234
31
Introduction
234
1
Particle and Propagation Velocities
234
1
Graphs
235
2
Transverse and Longitudinal Pulse Shapes
237
1
Reflection of Pulses
238
3
Derivation of Propagation Velocities
241
1
Velocity of Propagation of a Kink on a String
242
2
Propagation Velocity of a Pulse in a Fluid
244
3
Surface Waves in Shallow Water
247
3
Transient Wave Effects
250
1
Wave Fronts and Rays in two Dimensions
251
1
Periodic and Sinusoidal Wave Trains
252
1
Two-Source Interference Patterns
253
1
Two-Source Versus Grating Patterns
254
2
Young's Elucidation of the Dark Center in Newton's Rings
256
1
Specular Versus Diffuse Reflection
257
1
Images and Image Formation: Plane Mirrors
258
2
Images with Thin Converging Lenses
260
3
Novice Conceptions of the Nature of Light
263
1
Phenomenological Questions and Problems
263
2
Early Modern Physics
265
53
Introduction
265
1
Historical Preliminaries
266
5
Prelude to Thomson's Research
271
1
Thomson's Experiments
272
3
Thomson's Inferences
275
2
Homework on the Thomson Experiment
277
1
The Corpuscle of Electrical Charge
278
1
From Thomson's Electron to the Bohr Atom
279
6
Photo-Emission and the Photon Concept
285
5
Einstein's Paper on the Photon Concept
290
2
Bohr's Model of Atomic Hydrogen
292
9
Introducing Special Relativity
301
7
Written Homework on the Thomson Experiment
308
5
Written Homework on the Bohr Atom
313
5
Miscellaneous Topics
318
26
Introducing Kinetic Theory
318
2
Assumptions of Kinetic Theory
320
7
Hydroststic Pressure
327
2
Visualizing Thermal Expansion
329
1
Estimating
329
1
Significant Figures
330
1
Precision, Accuracy, and Significant Differences
331
1
Distribution Functions
332
1
Guidance in Introductory Laboratory
333
2
Cultivating Insight and Inquiry in Laboratory
335
4
Mathematical Physics for Gifted Students
339
3
Chaos
342
2
Achieving Wider Scientific Literacy
344
31
Introduction
344
1
Marks of Scientific Literacy
345
2
Operative Knowedge
347
2
General Education Science Courses
349
3
Illustrating the Nature of Scientific Thought
352
6
Connections to Intellectual History
358
3
Variations on the Theme
361
1
Aspects of Implementation
362
3
The Problem of Cognitive Development
365
1
The Problem of Teacher Education
365
4
A Role for the Computer
369
1
Learning from Past Experience
370
5
Critical Thinking
375
18
Introduction
375
1
A List of Processes
376
6
Why Bother with Critical Thinking?
382
2
Existing Level of Capacity for Abstract Reasoning
384
1
Can Capacity for Abstract Reasoning Be Enhanced?
385
2
Consequences of Mismatch
387
2
Ascertaining Student Difficulties
389
1
Testing
390
1
Some Thoughts on Faculty Development
390
3
Bibliography
393
12
Index to Part I
405