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Edward F. Redish
Learning to use math in physics involves combining ("blending") our everyday experiences and the conceptual ideas of physics with symbolic mathematical representations. Graphs are one of the best ways to learn to "build the blend." They are a mathematical representation that builds on visual recognition to create a bridge between words and equations. But students in introductory physics classes often see a graph as an endpoint--a task the teacher asks them to complete--rather than as a tool to help them make sense of a physical system. And most of the graph problems in traditional introductory physics texts simply ask students to extract a number from a graph. But if graphs are used appropriately, they can be a powerful tool in helping students learn to build the blend and develop their physical intuition and ability to think with math.
The Physics Teacher: Volume 61, Issue 8, Pages 651-656
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=16990">Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph." Phys. Teach. 61, no. 8, (October 24, 2023): 651-656.</a>
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E. Redish, , Phys. Teach. 61 (8), 651 (2023), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860).
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E. Redish, Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph, Phys. Teach. 61 (8), 651 (2023), <https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860>.
APA Format
Redish, E. (2023, October 24). Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph. Phys. Teach., 61(8), 651-656. Retrieved January 18, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860
Chicago Format
Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph." Phys. Teach. 61, no. 8, (October 24, 2023): 651-656, https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860 (accessed 18 January 2025).
MLA Format
Redish, Edward F.. "Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph." Phys. Teach. 61.8 (2023): 651-656. 18 Jan. 2025 <https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860>.
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@article{
Author = "Edward F. Redish",
Title = {Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph},
Journal = {Phys. Teach.},
Volume = {61},
Number = {8},
Pages = {651-656},
Month = {October},
Year = {2023}
}
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%A Edward F. Redish %T Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph %J Phys. Teach. %V 61 %N 8 %D October 24, 2023 %P 651-656 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860 %O application/pdf
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%0 Journal Article %A Redish, Edward F. %D October 24, 2023 %T Using Math in Physics: 6. Reading the physics in a graph %J Phys. Teach. %V 61 %N 8 %P 651-656 %8 October 24, 2023 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0150860 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.
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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: 6. Reading the physics in a graph:
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