Six Ideas That
Shaped Physics
THIRD EDITION
Unit C: Conservation Laws Constrain Interactions
Unit N: The Laws of Physics are Universal
Unit R: The Laws of Physics are Frame-Independent
Unit E: Electricity and Magnetism are Unified
Unit Q: Particles Behave Like Waves
Unit T: Some Processes are Irreversible
What is a Six Ideas course?
Six Ideas is more than a textbook…
Six Ideas That Shaped Physics represents an innovative approach to the college-level calculus-based introductory physics course that helps students
- See physics from a thoroughly 21st-century perspective
- Understand the hierarchical nature of physics concepts
- Sidestep well-known conceptual errors
- Develop strength and confidence in solving problems
- Practice truly thinking like physicists.
by using active and student-centered research-based learning methods both inside and outside the classroom. The course's goal is to empower students in developing a deep and sophisticated understanding of physics for themselves by providing guided practice in applying sound physical reasoning in realistic situations.
This course is the culmination of more than 25 years of experimentation and discovery about what really works in teaching introductory calculus-based physics and inspiring students to greater heights of achievement.
Six Ideas That Shaped Physics consists of an entire structure of mutually supporting materials that includes
- Web-based computer software
- Detailed problem solutions
- Web-based support for two approaches to homework
- Supplementary text materials
- Lesson plans and worksheets
- Extensive guidance for both students and instructors
This structure's foundation is indeed a six-volume textbook (whose covers appear in slide show above) written by Thomas A. Moore and published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education. (The text is also available as a SmartBook® ebook). This website (particularly the Resources section) provides links to the materials that comprise the course’s superstructure.
The About page provides links to much more detailed information about the Six Ideas course structure and evidence of its success.
Latest News
An alternative version of sections T4.3-T4.4 and T5.1-T5.3 that is much simpler than the published text is now available for viewing and/or downloading.
8/16/2018
I have posted a web-app version of Equipotentials and new versions of the web-apps Newton, MBoltz, Planck. The last three should be faster (particularly when many users are accessing them at once), and the last two use improved integration code that delivers more accurate results.
2/4/2019
The new edition of Unit T includes a chapter on climate change. Click here to download a PDF of the talk that the author gave on January 11, 2016 at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers about the simple climate-change model used in the chapter.
1/11/2016
One can order topics in a number of ways. Click here to download a PDF of an invited talk the author gave at on January 6, 2015 at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers describing an innovative way to order the Six Ideas materials to “Serve Dessert First.”
1/06/2015
At Pomona, we have been using the texts to teach an introductory physics course that starts with contemporary physics. Click here to download a PDF of an invited talk the author gave at on January 21, 2020 at the winter meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers reviewing how well this course has worked for us during the past decade.
1/27/2020
VIEW ALL THE NEWS
© 2016 Thomas A. Moore. All Rights Reserved.
