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Edward F. Redish
This 2021 report in The Physics Teacher journal is one of a series of five articles by noted physics educator E.F. Redish on the use and utilization of mathematics in physics. Making meaning with math in physics requires blending physical conceptual knowledge with mathematical symbology. Students in introductory physics classes often struggle with this, but it is an essential component of learning how to think with math. Teaching the dimensionality of measured quantities and dimensional analysis (DA) is a valuable first step in helping them learn to appreciate this difference. In this article, Dr. Redish describes the crucial importance of the teacher as facilitator to promote a true understanding of dimensionality, often a stumbling block for students. He provides examples of using "e-games" (knowledge building strategies or epistemic games) that blend physical concepts with math symbology. He also points out pitfalls that can result from the standard notation for dimensionality (brackets) and explores ways to help students understand D.A. as a code.
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The Physics Teacher: Volume 59, Issue 6, Pages 397-400
Editor's Note: See Related Materials for links to the five additional articles that comprise this series. They consist of a Collection Overview plus articles covering the topics of estimation, anchor equations, toy models, and functional dependence.
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=16482">Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis." Phys. Teach. 59, no. 6, (September 2, 2021): 397-400.</a>
AIP Format
E. Redish, , Phys. Teach. 59 (6), 397 (2021), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244).
AJP/PRST-PER
E. Redish, Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis, Phys. Teach. 59 (6), 397 (2021), <https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244>.
APA Format
Redish, E. (2021, September 2). Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis. Phys. Teach., 59(6), 397-400. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244
Chicago Format
Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis." Phys. Teach. 59, no. 6, (September 2, 2021): 397-400, https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244 (accessed 21 April 2025).
MLA Format
Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis." Phys. Teach. 59.6 (2021): 397-400. 21 Apr. 2025 <https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{
Author = "Edward F. Redish",
Title = {Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis},
Journal = {Phys. Teach.},
Volume = {59},
Number = {6},
Pages = {397-400},
Month = {September},
Year = {2021}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Edward F. Redish %T Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis %J Phys. Teach. %V 59 %N 6 %D September 2, 2021 %P 397-400 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Journal Article %A Redish, Edward F. %D September 2, 2021 %T Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis %J Phys. Teach. %V 59 %N 6 %P 397-400 %8 September 2, 2021 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0021244 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. Using Math in Physics: 1. Dimensional Analysis:
Accompanies
Using Math in Physics: Overview
A link to the overview article by E.F. Redish that explains how all items in this collection are related to the topic, "Using Math in Physics". relation by Caroline Hall
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Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph
This is a link to the sixth in this series of six articles: "Using Math in Physics 6: Reading the physics in a graph". relation by Sam McKagan
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Using Math in Physics: 2. Estimation
This is a link to the second in this series of six articles: "Using Math in Physics 2: Estimation". relation by Caroline Hall
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Using Math in Physics: 3. Anchor equations
A link to the third in this series of six articles: "Using Math in Physics 3: Anchor Equations". relation by Caroline Hall
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Using Math in Physics: 4. Toy models
A link to the fourth in this series of six articles: "Using Math in Physics 4: Toy Models". relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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