Thinking in Physics

Vince Coletta earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Notre Dame, where his graduate research advisor was Gerald Jones, an academic descendent of Uhlenbeck and Boltzmann. For over 30 years he has been a Professor of Physics at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he teaches introductory physics and courses in electromagnetic fields, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. In this book Professor Coletta describes his Thinking in Physics curriculumand provides evidence for its effectiveness indeveloping students’ scientific reasoning skills, understanding of physics concepts, and problem solving skills.

• I The Research Base for Thinking in Physics 1 1 The Development of Thinking in Physics 22 Evidence for the Effectiveness of Thinking in Physics 113 Gender Effects 17II The TIP Curriculum 25 4 Student Population, Institutional Constraints, and the TIP Classroom265 Introducing Students to Thinking in Physics 296 TIP Course Structure 377 TIP at Chicago State University by Mel Sabella 47III TIP Materials 51 8 Connecting the Dots 529 Reading Tests 5610 Clicker Questions 7111 Problem Solving Worksheets 11812 Labs and Lab Concept Quizzes 12213 Quizzes and Tests 185Appendix 1: Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning Ability 195Appendix 2: A Guide to Learning Physics 203Appendix 3: PowerPoint Slides for the First Week 211Appendix 4: Syllabus and Schedule 217Appendix 5: Seating Chart 221References 222Credits 223