Bhinyo Panijpan et al 2009 Phys. Educ. 44 599 doi:10.1088/0031-9120/44/6/004
Bhinyo Panijpan1, Thanida Sujarittham1, Kwan Arayathanitkul2, Jintawat Tanamatayarat2 and Suchai Nopparatjamjomras1
Show affiliationsA set-up comprising a magnetic disc, a solenoid and a mechanical balance was used to teach first-year physics students Newton's third law with the help of a free body diagram. The image of a floating magnet immobilized by the solenoid's repulsive force should help dispel a common misconception of students as regards the first law: that stationary objects are not being acted on by any force at all. Dropping the magnet onto the electrified solenoid, which can change polarity, can lead to more sophisticated elaboration of the second law.
Issue 6 (November 2009)
Received 21 May 2009, in final form 23 July 2009
Bhinyo Panijpan et al 2009 Phys. Educ. 44 599
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