Teaching Introductory Physics

Introductory physics attracts a wide variety of students, with different backgrounds, levels of preparedness, and academic destinations. To many, the course is one of the most daunting in the science curriclum, full of arcane principles that are difficult to grasp. To others, it is one of the most highly anticipated -the first step on the path to the upper reaches of scientific inquiry. In their years as instructors and as editors of The Physics Teacher, Clifford E. Swartz and the late Thomas Miner developed and encountered many innovative and effective ways of introducing students to the fundamental principles of physics. Teaching Introductory Physics brings these strategies, insights and techniques to you in a unique, convenient volume. This is a reference and a tutorial book for teachers of an introductory physics course at any level. It has review articles on most of the topics of introductory physics, providing background information and suggestions about presentation and relative importance. Whether you are teaching physics for the first time or are an experienced instructor, Teaching Introductory Physics will prove to be an exceptionally helpful classroom companion. The book should be particularly useful for graduate students teaching for the first time and for research physicists who have not taught the introductory course recently. Teaching Introductory Physics gives you access to the cumulative expertise of the world's most dedicated physics instructors-not just Professor Swartz and Miner, but many of the contributors and subscribers to the Physics Teacher. it is sure to enhance your teaching skills, helping you to give your students the basic knowledge and hands-on experience they need to work with the fundamental physical laws of nature. About the Authors: Clifford E. Swartz has been the Editor of The Physics Teacher for the greater part of the last 30 years and is Professor Emeritus of Physics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In 1983, Dr. Swartz received the Outstanding Civillian Service Medal from the Department of the Army and in 1987 he received the Oersted Medal from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). He has authored 33 books for students from kindergarten to grduate school. Thomas Miner (1911-1991) was a physics teacher at Garden City High School from 1932 to 1966 and Assistant Professor of Physics at Yeshiva University from 1966 to 1972. For the next 16 years he served as Associate Editor of the Physics Teacher. In 1980, Dr. Miner received the Millikan Award from AAPT. He was the author of five books and numerous professional papers.