PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING

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Problem Problem Title Problem Goal Applicable Physics
2 Toy Train Finding the tension in strings connecting the cars of a toy
train.
Newton's Second and Third Laws, Free-body
diagrams.
3 Equilibrium Finding the maximum weight for which a system
will remain in equilibrium.
Newton's Second and Third Laws, Free-body
diagrams, Frictional forces.
4 At the Gasthaus Finding the forces acting on a suspended sign. Newton's Second and Third Laws, Free-body
diagrams, Torque.
5 Space Cannon, Inc. Finding the launch velocity necessary to place a probe in
orbit at an altitude of 900 km.
Conservation of Energy, gravitational potential
energy.
6 Fahrenheit 451 Finding the temperature change in a container of
water on a heater.
Conservation of Energy, temperature conversions,
calorimetry.
7 A Quick Lift Finding the time and cost for an elevator trip. Conservation of Energy, power, Ohm's Law
Table 2-3. Characteristics Of Problems.
I numbered the statements for easy reference. Originally I numbered each
statement where there was a change of speaker. Some students said several things in one
statement and so I subdivided these statements. So there might be lines numbered 40,
40B, 40C, etc. This is particularly true in Session 4. In latter transcripts I learned to
individually number each statement and there are fewer of the subdivided statements.
Following this transcription procedure, 14 videotapes, transcripts, and written solutions
were available for my analysis.