🚀 go-pugleaf

Sandy,  I do use Interactive Physics for a few special situations.  One
excellent use is to create two-dimensional collision problems.  I can
create unique collisions and then have different groups analyze the
collisions as to whether momentum and/or kinetic energy is conserved.  I
also have students solve these problems using center-of-mass analysis.

Similar situations can be developed for projectile motion.  Setting up
these problems allows one to use the software without needing classroom
sets of Mac's and IP.

Another use is to set up a central force such as the sun and then have a
planet revolve about the central force.  I have my students determine the
gravitational constant for the particular situation.  Kepler's Third Law
can also be confirmed.  My students really liked this lab exercise.

Since I have a classroom set of Mac's and Interactive Physics, I will
sometimes have my students set up situations similar to those found in a
college freshman physics class and see if the situation behaves as their
math solution.

On Wed, 12 May 1993, Sandy Anspach wrote:

> Does anyone have experience using Interactive Physics in the classroom?  I
> am more interested in details about how you are fitting it into
> class/labwork than about creating specific simulations.
>
> I am going to be teaching a high school summer school class and hope to make
> use of IP, and I would be happy to share whatever I manage to put together.
>

I am always interested in new uses.  I have not been all that successful
having students work on problems directly on the Mac.  I seem to have more
success creating a situation using IP and then handing out the hard copy.

Lowell Herr
The Catlin Gabel School
Portland, OR