Two-Particle Models, Diagrams and Graphs as Aids to Understanding Internal Energy
| dc.creator | Greenwolfe, Matthew L. | |
| dc.date | 2007-02-18 | |
| dc.date | 2007-06-28 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-07T08:12:48Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-07T08:12:48Z | |
| dc.description | Single particle models are sufficient for many topics in introductory physics courses, but become misleading when applied to situations involving changes in internal energy. This paper merges two parallel attempts to reform the teaching of energy in the introductory physics curriculum, resulting in an approach to internal energy that is conceptually correct, mathematically rigorous, and yet simple enough for the introductory student to understand. It uses diagrams and graphs to provide concrete and visual means to track energy storage and transfer, and takes the smallest possible step in mathematical complexity - from one-particle to two-particle models - necessary to achieve consistency with a sound conceptual approach. The mathematical development is guided by the idea that the term "work" should receive a clear conceptual definition as energy that is transferred through the boundary of a system; mathematical expressions are identified as work - of any sort - only when they correspond to this definition. | |
| dc.description | recently submitted to AJP | |
| dc.identifier | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0702153 | |
| dc.identifier | http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0702153 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/132579 | |
| dc.subject | Physics Education | |
| dc.title | Two-Particle Models, Diagrams and Graphs as Aids to Understanding Internal Energy | |
| dc.type | text |