dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaPhysics Magic
| Authors | Nathaniel Lasry, Pierre-Osias Christin |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0606151 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0606151 |
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to show the magic of physics by showing the physics of magic. What usually makes magic tricks interesting is that something unexpected occurs. Similarly, demonstrations are interesting inasmuch as they produce something unexpected. Since expectations are linked to preconceptions, a demonstration making use of a flaw in a preconception will result in something unexpected. Given the numerous misconceptions in physics, many demonstrations can be dressed up as magic tricks. The first objective of this paper is to share with other physics teachers the excitement of creating and using magical classroom demonstrations. The second objective is to provide interested instructors with practical means to convert a classical demonstration into a magic trick. To illustrate the procedure, two classical demonstrations will be re-presented as the magic tricks we have presented in our courses. The final goal is to use current ideas in educational psychology to explain why using magic has worked so well in our courses in providing students with a new impetus to learn physics. This description is not meant to be formal, but proposes a theoretical model that fits our classroom observations.
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"abstract": "The purpose of this paper is to show the magic of physics by showing the\nphysics of magic. What usually makes magic tricks interesting is that something\nunexpected occurs. Similarly, demonstrations are interesting inasmuch as they\nproduce something unexpected. Since expectations are linked to preconceptions,\na demonstration making use of a flaw in a preconception will result in\nsomething unexpected. Given the numerous misconceptions in physics, many\ndemonstrations can be dressed up as magic tricks. The first objective of this\npaper is to share with other physics teachers the excitement of creating and\nusing magical classroom demonstrations. The second objective is to provide\ninterested instructors with practical means to convert a classical\ndemonstration into a magic trick. To illustrate the procedure, two classical\ndemonstrations will be re-presented as the magic tricks we have presented in\nour courses. The final goal is to use current ideas in educational psychology\nto explain why using magic has worked so well in our courses in providing\nstudents with a new impetus to learn physics. This description is not meant to\nbe formal, but proposes a theoretical model that fits our classroom\nobservations.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0606151",
"authors": [
"Nathaniel Lasry",
"Pierre-Osias Christin"
],
"categories": [
"physics.ed-ph",
"physics.pop-ph"
],
"title": "Physics Magic",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0606151"
},
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