Re: Energy, etc (fwd)

[Ludwik Kowalski <KowalskiL@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

Too abstract for an elementary physics course where we
first define F, then W, then KE, then ... etc. "Parameters
which define the state of the system" would be hard to
make meaningful at that level. There is no system, only
balls and walls, and air, and bicycles, and water, etc.
Kids are mostly concrete-operational.

I will continue following traditional approaches but try
to avoid terms which can later create problems, such as
"amount of energy" or "energy transfer". What should
we do with the idea that "one form of energy can turn into
another"? Is this also a possible trap?

I assume Leigh is referring to students who already had
an elementary physics course and who learn the subject
in a university course with serious prerequisites.

Leigh Palmer wrote:

> ... A student's introduction to these quantities should be
> as symmetrical as Clausius perceived it to be:
>
> Energy is a function of the parameters which define the state
> of a system. It is measured relative to a conventional zero.
>
> Entropy is a function of the parameters which define the state
> of a system. It is measured relative to a standard entropy.