Tag Archives: physics

Storylines for Mechanics

Posted on July 31, 2022 by marcreif

In modeling instruction, practitioners talk about the “storyline” that we present. This morning I woke up and decided to attempt “stories” for AP1/CM (using the sequence from the AP1 Course and Exam Description). I tried to write them “student-friendly” without … Continue reading →

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“Nothing is too wonderful to be true” – Michael Faraday’s Law

Posted on September 2, 2017 by marcreif

Science is moved forward by observations and experiments, yet some observations are too subtle and some experiments too complicated to reproduce in the classroom.Michael Faraday’s discovery of electromagnetic induction combines observation and experimentation yet requires nothing expensive or complicated. It … Continue reading →

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A Physics Teacher’s Strongman Trick

Posted on July 9, 2017 by marcreif

Strongman tricks often involve seemingly impossible tasks like bending iron bars, lifting gigantic weights, or pulling trains with your teeth. This “teacher trick” doesn’t take great strength to impress. Using a clever arrangement of a mirror and a laser, students … Continue reading →

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The First Day of School: Marshmallows and Spaghetti

Posted on July 28, 2016 by marcreif

I have used this as a first-day activity for several years. Students walk in, and sit in groups of three or four assigned for them. The groups are given a large marshmallow, 20 sticks of spaghetti, about a meter of masking … Continue reading →

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Forces

Posted on September 20, 2013 by marcreif

In the last few years, I have started the force unit off with demos, seat experiments, discussions, and conceptual questions. This year I decided to make a summary page for some of the activities we have done. They are first … Continue reading →

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Modeling Terminology

Posted on September 20, 2013 by marcreif

In teaching modeling physics, there is some terminology that is used that I have found confusing. For instance, we (modeling teachers and authors of “Teacher’s Notes” in the modeling materials) talk about the paradigms. The paradigm is a real thing … Continue reading →

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