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When talking about directions, high school students are often presented with conflicting coordinate systems. In physics (and engineering, navigating, and surveying) we assign north to be 0°, and we then work around the compass in a clockwise manner. In contrast, mathematicians assign the positive x-axis to be 0° and then proceed in the counterclockwise direction.
Physics teachers (and physics textbook authors) are faced with a dilemma: should we stick with the same coordinate system used in the students' math books, or should we teach students the coordinate system that they are likely to see on a real-world compass?
- There is no "right" answer to this dilemma, but what do you think is the best solution?
- Is there an angle where a student using the "physics" coordinate system and a student using the "math" coordinate system will agree on the same value? In other words, which angle(s) is the same in both coordinate systems?
- Many people have and use GPS navigation devices. These devices are capable of reporting the current course heading. If you own or have access to such a device, experiment with it by moving in a known direction. Which coordinate system does your device use?
I feel that we should keep the two ways separate from each as best as we can. Only mention the physics way in physics class and math in math class. Being a trigonometry and physics student, I don't get the two mixed up at all. I just fear if you keep mentioning the both ways, students will confuse the two coordinate systems, which will further delay the problem. There is no right answer, but I feel that there is no need to change what already works well. Just keep them as far away as possible.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate what you're saying, but at the same time, I think it is important to point out to students that math and physics should not be viewed as distinct! After all, mathematics is the language of science.
ReplyDeleteIn answering question number 2, I believe that a student using a "physics" coordinate system and a student using a "math" coordinate system will agree that 0 has the same value in both systems!
ReplyDeletethe best solution is the physics way, however its best to know both i mean u wanna know how to use ur compass to the full degree if u know the difference then u wont get confused.
ReplyDeleteHaha, "full degree." Nice pun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments this week!
ReplyDeleteim Pretty sure 45 degrees would be the same in both systems
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be one system because the less someone has to remember, the easiler it is to solve a problem. also i believe that one single system would benefit both student and teacher in their own ways.
ReplyDelete