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  • © 2005

The Pendulum

Scientific, Historical, Philosophical and Educational Perspectives

  • A multidisciplinary approach to a universal science topic – scientific, mathematical, historical, methodological and educational

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Table of contents (32 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
  2. Introduction

    1. The Pendulum: Its Place in Science, Culture and Pedagogy

      • Michael R. Matthews, Colin Gauld, Arthur Stinner
      Pages 1-17
  3. Scientific Perspectives

    1. Introduction to the Treatment of Non-Linear Effects Using a Gravitational Pendulum

      • Klaus Weltner, Antonio Sergio C. Esperidião, Roberto Fernandes Silva Andrade, Paulo Miranda
      Pages 49-66
    2. Experimental Control of Simple Pendulum Model

      • César Medina, Sandra Velazco, Julia Salinas
      Pages 67-76
    3. Soup-can Pendulum

      • Randall D. Peters
      Pages 77-88
  4. Historical Perspectives

    1. Galileo and the Pendulum: Latching on to Time

      • Peter Machamer, Brian Hepburn
      Pages 99-113
    2. The Pendulum: From Constrained Fall to the Concept of Potential

      • Fabio Bevilacqua, Lidia Falomo, Lucio Fregonese, Enrico Giannetto, Franco Giudice, Paolo Mascheretti
      Pages 185-208

About this book

The pendulum is a universal topic in primary and secondary schools, but its full potential for learning about physics, the nature of science, and the relationships between science, mathematics, technology, society and culture is seldom realised.

Contributions to this 32-chapter anthology deal with the science, history, methodology and pedagogy of pendulum motion. There is ample material for the richer and more cross-disciplinary treatment of the pendulum from elementary school to high school, and through to advanced university classes.

Scientists will value the studies on the physics of the pendulum; historians will appreciate the detailed treatment of Galileo, Huygens, Newton and Foucault’s pendulum investigations; psychologists and educators will learn from the papers on Piaget; teachers will welcome the many contributions to pendulum pedagogy.

All readers will come away with a new awareness of the importance of the pendulum in the foundation and development of modern science; and for its centrality in so many facets of society and culture.

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Michael R. Matthews, Colin F. Gauld

  • University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

    Arthur Stinner

About the editors

Michael Matthews is an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of New South Wales. He has degrees in science, philosophy, psychology, history and philosophy of science, and education. He publishes in the fields of science education, history and philosophy of science, and philosophy of education. He is the author of five books, the editor of six anthologies, and the Foundation Editor of the journal Science & Education.

 

Colin Gauld is a Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales. After taking a PhD in physics, he taught high school physics, lectured in physics education, and was senior examiner of physics in the state of New South Wales. He researches the role of history and philosophy of science in science teaching, and the relationship between religion and science.

 

Arthur Stinner is a professor of science education in the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba. He holds undergraduate degrees in physics, modern languages and education, an MSc in physics, and a PhD in science education. His research interests are focused on relating the history and philosophy of science to science teaching, and the development of large context problems in physics.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access