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APPLIED PHYSICS
Problem Solving Workshop Guide
Workshop #1 Format
For this first problem solving workshop the process is different, they will partake in
two activities.
The tutor is to engage the students in a discussion about “What is a good problem
solving technique?”, “How should you approach a problem in an exam?”, “What will
get you the marks?”. Attempt to involve most students in this exercise which should
take 10 minutes or so. You might run it like a workshop and list their ideas on the
whiteboard.
NOTE: In later workshops the idea is for small study groups to address a number of
the PROBLEMS at the end of each chapter as indicated in the Exercise Set which
has been distributed to the students.
The tutor is expected to select 3 or 4 of the problems from the set, let the
students work on the problems for 35-40 minutes while ‘floating’ between the
groups helping them make progress towards a well structured solution. Do not solve
the problems for them, guide them. Details next week.
APPLIED PHYSICS
Problem Solving Workshop #1
[1] You are told the magnetic flux density, B produced by a current
µoI
carrying wire is given by B= . Rearrange this equation to solve
2πr
for the current, I.
Comment: Many can not cross multiply, even on work paper without making
mistakes. Be careful!
dI
[2] Show I = Io e −t / τ is a solution of IR + L = 0.
dt
Comment: Variation in the wording of questions can throw students. Many
start with the DE and try to re-arrange it, going nowhere, rather than
calculating dI/dt and substituting into the equation to show the
equation holds when τ = L/R.
1
[3] The kinetic energy of an object is given by K= mv 2 . Calculate K
2
for an electron (me = 9.11x10-31 kg) traveling at 4.60x105 m/s.
Comment: You would be amazed at how often students forget to square the
velocity when doing the calculation. Again, take care.