Problem Library: 10

Title Excerpt Author Discipline Length Level Type
A Bad Day for Sandy Dayton
Designed to help nonscience majors understand forces, motion, and mechanical energy while reconstructing a rear-end auto . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (non-majors) Problem
A Day in the Life of John Henry, Traffic Cop
This problem introduces students to conservation of momentum while working through a two-dimensional automobile . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory Problem
Crossed Circuits
Two roommates argue about each others use of energy. Which roommate should pay a utility premium? How much extra? Watson, George Physics and Astronomy 1 Hour or Less Introductory (non-majors) Problem
What a Drag!
Students explore the effects of air resistance on the path of a baseball. Forces acting on a baseball are identified and . . . Nowak, Edmund Physics and Astronomy 1-3 Hours Introductory (majors) Problem
Tracy Lynn’s “Yellow Banana”
This problem is based on an actual car accident with the names changed to protect privacy. The streets in the accident . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory Problem
The Sweet Spot
A frightening incident of a high school baseball pitcher being struck in the temple by a ball sets the context of this . . . Nowak, Edmund Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory Problem
The Fastest Man in the World
This problem introduces students to speed and acceleration. Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 3-6 hours Introductory (non-majors) Problem
Spring Break: A Lesson in Circuits
This case, taught in a problem-based learning format, introduces students to the topics of electricity and circuits . . . Duch, Barbara Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory Problem
Rice-a-Roni: A San Franciso Treat
Students design the electric wiring portion of a home remodeling project. Appliance power ratings, distribution of . . . Watson, George Physics and Astronomy 1-3 Hours Introductory (non-majors) Problem
Mixing Carefully: “Scientific” Jello Preparation
Introductory, non-major laboratory courses are perfectly suited to a PBL approach. In these courses, the main objective . . . Fornari, Marco Physics and Astronomy 6+ Hours Introductory (non-majors) Problem