ERIC Number: EJ937643
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jun
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1609-4913
EISSN: N/A
Limitations and Functions: Four Examples of Integrating Thermodynamics
Chang, Wheijen
Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, v12 n1 Article 10 Jun 2011
Physics students are usually unaware of the limitations and functions of related principles, and they tend to adopt "hot formulas" inappropriately. This paper introduces four real-life examples for bridging five principles, from fluids to thermodynamics, including (1) buoyant force, (2) thermal expansion, (3) the ideal-gas law, (4) the 1st law, and (5) kinetic theory. Pedagogically, the examples play the dual roles of demonstrating the limitations "(why not)" of the prior principles and highlighting the functions "(why)" of those principles that follow. Although the examples are not novel, the author enhances the pedagogical value of the existing teaching resources by means of improving visibility, addressing students' prevalent pitfalls, bridging related principles, and increasing the sophistication of the scientific reasoning. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Thermodynamics, Mechanics (Physics), Science Instruction, Scientific Principles, Kinetics, Energy, Teaching Methods, College Science, Science Experiments
Hong Kong Institute of Education. 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: +011-852-2948-7650; Fax: +011-852-2948-7726; e-mail: apfslt@sci.ied.edu.hk; Web site: http://www.ied.edu.hk/apfslt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A