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written by
Lillian C. McDermott, Peter S. Shaffer, and Mark Somers
A problem on the Atwood's machine is often introduced early in the teaching of dynamics to demonstrate the application of Newton's Laws to the motion of a compound system. In a series of preliminary studies, student understanding of the Atwood's machine was examined after this topic had been covered in a typical calculus-based course. Analysis of the data revealed that many students had serious difficulties with the acceleration, the internal and external forces, and the role of the string. The present study was undertaken to obtain more detailed information about the nature and prevalence of these difficulties and thus provide a sound basis for the design of more effective instruction. The context for the investigation is a group of related problems involving less complicated compound systems. Specific examples illustrate how this research, which was conducted primarily in a classroom setting, has served as a guide in the development of tutorial materials to supplement the lectures and textbook in a standard introductory course.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 62, Issue 1, Pages 46-55
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![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=2723">McDermott, L, P. Shaffer, and M. Somers. "Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine." Am. J. Phys. 62, no. 1, (January 1, 1994): 46-55.</a>
![]() L. McDermott, P. Shaffer, and M. Somers, , Am. J. Phys. 62 (1), 46 (1994), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740).
![]() L. McDermott, P. Shaffer, and M. Somers, Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine, Am. J. Phys. 62 (1), 46 (1994), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740>.
![]() McDermott, L., Shaffer, P., & Somers, M. (1994, January 1). Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine. Am. J. Phys., 62(1), 46-55. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740
![]() McDermott, L, P. Shaffer, and M. Somers. "Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine." Am. J. Phys. 62, no. 1, (January 1, 1994): 46-55, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740 (accessed 6 December 2023).
![]() McDermott, Lillian C., Peter Shaffer, and Mark Somers. "Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine." Am. J. Phys. 62.1 (1994): 46-55. 6 Dec. 2023 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740>.
![]() @article{
Author = "Lillian C. McDermott and Peter Shaffer and Mark Somers",
Title = {Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine},
Journal = {Am. J. Phys.},
Volume = {62},
Number = {1},
Pages = {46-55},
Month = {January},
Year = {1994}
}
![]() %A Lillian C. McDermott %A Peter Shaffer %A Mark Somers %T Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine %J Am. J. Phys. %V 62 %N 1 %D January 1, 1994 %P 46-55 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740 %O text/html ![]() %0 Journal Article %A McDermott, Lillian C. %A Shaffer, Peter %A Somers, Mark %D January 1, 1994 %T Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood's machine %J Am. J. Phys. %V 62 %N 1 %P 46-55 %8 January 1, 1994 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.17740 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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