Students often find the study of electrostatics to be abstract, heavily mathematical, and non-intuitive. This paper describes an inquiry-based approach to teaching electrostatics in an introductory calculus-based physics class that emphasizes the primacy of student conceptual understanding.
References
1.
Randal
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The Electrostatic Balloon Lab utilizes video analysis software. Sample videos and data at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g45slf7f9o6xr0p/AAD9dvpbwc1JQep-K7hQvJ_Na?dl=0.
3.
Richard
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The Coulomb’s Constant Simulation utilizes a PhET simulation to determine the proportionality Coulomb’s constant, https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/coulombs-law/latest/coulombs-law_en.html.
5.
Peter H.
Bohacek
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Christopher A.
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The Electric Potential PhET Simulation utilizes a PhET simulation to determine the relationship between the electric potential and distance for point charge, an “infinite” line of charge, two “infinite” “sheets” of charge, and for a “spherical” shell of charge, https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/charges-and-fields/latest/charges-and-fields_en.html.
8.
The Electric Potential PhET Simulation data and data analysis, https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2z9oq9iz6gb4uy7/AADESyDetyCPKYWhMW-f3oPda?dl=0.
9.
Stacks of Electrostatics Graphs Worksheet, https://www.dropbox.com/s/twoqbbbpklocr6u/Stacks%20of%20Electrostatic%20Graphs.pdf?dl=0.
© 2019 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2019
American Association of Physics Teachers
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