Spatial-numeric method application to the movable wedge problem for Physics First pedagogy

Sunil Dehipawala; Vazgen Shekoyan; Todd Holden; Tak Cheung

doi:10.21067/mpej.v7i2.8562

Authors

Sunil Dehipawala City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States
Vazgen Shekoyan City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States
Todd Holden City University of New York Queensborough Community College
Tak Cheung City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21067/mpej.v7i2.8562

Keywords:

movable wedge, normal force, graphical method, reference frames

Abstract

The objective is to solve the college physics problem of a block sliding down a movable smooth wedge without friction anywhere using a spatial-numeric perspective.Â The drawing method used the sum of the normal force and weight of the block to find the wedge acceleration.Â The drawing method results are equivalent to the algebra method results within drawing accuracy.Â The result of a geometric construction with regular drawing uncertainly was shown for the case without any horizontal applied force.Â For the case of a given horizontal applied force, an additional numeric graphing method was shown with additional drawing uncertainty in the result.Â The geometric construction without graphing resuted in solving the horizontal applied force case via scaling in the concept of modified gravity experienced by the block on the wedgeâ€™s slant edge, assuming a pre-requisite knowledge of algebra and trigonometry.Â The presented spatial numeric method and results imply a Physics First pedagogy of using the spatial numeric abilities, Â with the inclusion of the pre-projectile problem, pre-traffic-light problem, and post-collision problem in a one-semester syllabus.

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Author Biographies

Sunil Dehipawala, City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States

Dr Sunil Dehipawala holds a PhD in Physics and serves as Associate Professor of Physics in City University of New York Queensborough COmmunity Collge.

Vazgen Shekoyan, City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States

Dr Vazgen Shekoyan holds a PhD in Physics and servrs as Associate Professor of Physics in City University of New York Queensborough College.

Todd Holden, City University of New York Queensborough Community College

Dr Todd Holden holds a PhD in Physics and serves as Professor of Physics in City University of New York Queensborough Community College.

Tak Cheung, City University of New York Queensborough Community College, United States

Dr Tak Cheung holds a PhD in Physics and serves as Professor of Physics in City University of New York Queensborough Community College.

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