Hot Brakes and Energy-Related Concepts: Is Energy Lost?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Hot Brakes and Energy-Related Concepts: Is Energy Lost?
Language: English
Authors: Lopez, V., Pinto, R.
Source: Physics Education. Jan 2012 47(1):38-43.
Availability: Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://journals.iop.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Energy Conservation, Energy, Educational Experience, Mechanics (Physics), Secondary School Science, Scientific Concepts, Visual Stimuli, Learning Processes
DOI: 10.1088/0031-9120/47/1/38
ISSN: 0031-9120
Abstract: This paper describes a secondary school experience which is intended to help students to think profoundly about some energy-related concepts. It is quite different to other experiences of mechanics because the focus is not on the quantitative calculation of energy conservation but on the qualitative understanding of energy degradation. We first present an experience where students study the friction produced between a wheel and a piece of copper foil that acts as a brake pad. Then, we present an educational approach specially designed for the experience. Some visual representations have also been specially designed to support the learning process. (Contains 7 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 11
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ977814
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This paper describes a secondary school experience which is intended to help students to think profoundly about some energy-related concepts. It is quite different to other experiences of mechanics because the focus is not on the quantitative calculation of energy conservation but on the qualitative understanding of energy degradation. We first present an experience where students study the friction produced between a wheel and a piece of copper foil that acts as a brake pad. Then, we present an educational approach specially designed for the experience. Some visual representations have also been specially designed to support the learning process. (Contains 7 figures.)
ISSN:0031-9120
DOI:10.1088/0031-9120/47/1/38