Re: Energy, etc

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@SFU.CA>]

> The work/energy theorem doesn't break down as far as I can tell.
Perhaps not, but you certainly won't help your students inderstand
the work energy theorem if you apply it in an arbitrary manner, as
you did in your "explanation".

The work energy theorem is misnamed; it is not a theorem. It is
a rule which can be applied to a limited class of problems. The
class limits can't be described very succinctly or clearly, but
the case of the skater pushing off the wall is certainly not one
of that class. This seems to be a case of seeing every problem
as a nail when you only have a hammer to use on it.

Leigh