PI Problems for the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

Peer Instruction Problems:
Properties of Matter

Problem Name Comments Source Demo (UMd)
M1. Popping Corks Introductory students often think that pressure is a force. Many textbooks play into this misconception by giving examples in which the force that creates the pressure is in the same direction as a force one infers from the pressure. This problem raises the issue effectively and helps students think about what it means to have a (non-directional) pressure. (Their success in memorizing a proportionality pattern for the standard Pascal's law example doesn't mean that they understand the non-directionality of pressure.) EFR This demo could be difficult to set up. The holes, corks, and amount that the corks have been pushed in have to be very similar.
M2. Blood Flow 1 This and the next problem help students learn to differentiate flux and speed. From the ConcepTest collection in Mazur's Peer Instruction  
M3. Blood Flow 2 This and the previous problem help students learn to differentiate flux and speed. From the ConcepTest collection in Mazur's Peer Instruction  
M4. Bernoulli This one introduces students to the surprising effects of Bernoulli's principle. This demo can be done individually by the students in their seats even in a large lecture class. (After they have made and discussed their predictions, of course!) EFR in-seat demo

Work supported in part by a grant from the US National Science Foundation. 

Maintained by Edward F. Redish
Comments and questions may be directed to redish@umd.edu

Page last modified July 4, 2004