ERIC Number: EJ1321876
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
Using Math in Physics: "2. Estimation"
Redish, Edward F.
Physics Teacher, v59 n7 p525-529 Oct 2021
Learning to use math in science is a non-trivial task. It involves many different skills (not usually taught in a math class) that help blend physical knowledge with mathematical symbology. One of these is the idea of quantification--that physical quantities can be assigned specific numbers (with a unit). A second is to develop an intuition for scale. One way to help students develop these skills is to teach "estimation": the ability to consider a physical situation and put reasonable approximate numbers to it. [For "Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis," see EJ1315121.]
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Physics, Mathematical Concepts, Skill Development, Computation, Interdisciplinary Approach, Mathematics Skills, Teaching Methods, Peer Teaching, College Science, Biological Sciences, Scientific Concepts, Concept Formation
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://aapt.scitation.org/journal/pte
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1504366; 1624478