Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

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Now that's surprising!

In our discussion of the ray model of light, we built up a series of “foothold ideas” or principles from everyday experience. We then used these principles to predict the behavior of shadows, mirrors, and lenses. Some of the principles we decided on and some of the results we deduced contradicted our expectations or one-step “gut reasoning.” Pick one principle or conclusion we deduced from our principles that was surprising to you. Describe the result, explain why we claimed it to be true, and discuss whether you now accept it and why. (If nothing was surprising, pick one that you think might be surprising to a roommate and describe how you would convince them. But it would surprise me if nothing surprised you.) Note: This is an essay question. Your answer will be judged not solely on its correctness, but for its depth, coherence, and clarity.


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