Conceptual Physics Alive: Digital Downloads - Group

Watch renowned physics teacher Paul Hewitt bring the classroom alive in this complete series from the comfort of your home or in your classroom.

Conceptual physics is an approach to teaching physics that focuses on the ideas of physics rather than the often daunting mathematics. It is believed that with a strong conceptual foundation in physics, students are better equipped to understand the equations and formulas of physics, and to make connections between the concepts of physics and their everyday life. 

Download the Conceptual Physics Alive: Introduction video for FREE! Simply add this video to your cart and use discount code CPAINTRO at checkout.

Included with each digital download are a set of questions and answers for each chapter.

Master teacher Paul Hewitt talks about teaching physics conceptually. We see Hewitt's opening day lecture in his Conceptual Physics class at the University of Hawaii, during which Hewitt poses some thought-provoking questions about the physical world. The introduction is designed to give a flavor of what the Conceptual Physics course is all about.

2. Conceptual Physics Alive: Linear Motion

Paul Hewitt teaches Linear Motion: Concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration are introduced and supported with a variety of examples. The effect of air resistance on falling objects is also discussed.

3. Conceptual Physics Alive: Vectors & Projectiles

Vector addition and vector resolution are explained, using examples such as airplanes flying in the wind and projectile motion. The idea of the independence of the horizontal and vertical components of motion for projectiles is introduced.

4. Conceptual Physics Alive: Newton's First Law

The law of inertia and the concept of mass are introduced and supported with a variety of examples and intriguing demonstrations, such as the tablecloth-and-dishes stunt. The concepts of net force and statics are also illustrated.

5. Conceptual Physics Alive: Newton's Second Law

The relationship of force, acceleration, and mass is illustrated with a variety of examples. The effects of friction on motion are shown using both sliding and falling objects.

6. Conceptual Physics Alive: Newton's Third Law

The notion that a force is a push or a pull is developed. The concept that forces always occur in pairs as interactions between one thing and another is supported with numerous examples, including a tug-of-war.

7. Conceptual Physics Alive: Momentum

Newton's 2nd law is rearranged to the form: Impulse = Change in Momentum. A variety of everyday examples, such as bouncing are used to support this impulse-momentum concept. Conservation of momentum is demonstrated with colliding carts on an air track.

8. Conceptual Physics Alive: Energy

Mechanical energy in its potential and kinetic forms is illustrated with demonstrations that include a bouncing dart, a pendulum, and a simple pulley system. The conservation of energy is illuminated using everyday examples and a hand-cranked electric generator.

9. Conceptual Physics Alive: Center of Gravity

The concepts of torque, center of gravity, and center of mass are applied to balancing. Demonstrations include finding the center of gravity of irregularly-shaped objects, a weighted disk that rolls uphill, and a seesaw.

10. Conceptual Physics Alive: Rotation

The concept of rotational inertia is developed from a variety of everyday examples and demonstrations using weighted objects, and rolling cans filled with both liquids and solids. Finally, Paul stands on a rotating turntable to demonstrate angular momentum.

11. Conceptual Physics Alive: Gravity 1

The inverse-square law is explained and then related to the law of universal gravitation. Weight and weightlessness, the discoveries of the planets Neptune and Pluto, and the universality of gravitation are also discussed.

12. Conceptual Physics Alive: Gravity 2

The discussion of gravitation continues with the emphasis on ocean, earth, and atmospheric tides. Other topics include tunnels through the earth, black holes, the big bang, and speculations of an oscillating universe.

13. Conceptual Physics Alive: Satellite Motion

The concept of simple projectile motion is extended to include satellite motion- first circular, and then, elliptical. After a discussion of escape speed, the tape concludes with a summary of previously learned concepts in mechanics.

14. Conceptual Physics Alive: Special Relativity 1

A discussion on the concept of time dilation leads up to a showing of the 12-minute animated film "Relativistic Time Dilation."

15. Conceptual Physics Alive: Special Relativity 2

Length, momentum, mass, and Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 are discussed and supported with several fanciful examples. Speculations about going faster than the speed of light are entertained.

16. Conceptual Physics Alive: Atoms

Bohr's atomic model is described, with emphasis on the smallness, emptiness, and plentifulness of atoms. Atomic number, atomic mass, relative atomic sizes, and the wave properties of matter are also discussed.

17. Conceptual Physics Alive: Scaling

Surface area and volume are distinguished with simple demonstrations. Several examples are used to illustrate the proportional changes in surface area and volume when objects are scaled up or down in size.

18. Conceptual Physics Alive: Liquids 1

The concepts of density, pressure, and the depth-dependence of liquid pressure are used to develop the concept of buoyancy. A variety of demonstrations are used to distinguish between the displacement, volume, weight, and density of immersed objects, and to illustrate Archimede's principle.

19. Conceptual Physics Alive: Liquids 2

This tape expands on the discussion of Archimede's principle in the Liquid's I tape, with an emphasis on the law of flotation. A variety of demonstrations help to illustrate these concepts.

20. Conceptual Physics Alive: Gases

This demonstration-oriented lecture focuses on the atmosphere--its weight, pressure, and the buoyancy it exerts on objects. Barometer, Boyle's Law, and Bernoulli's principle are also discussed.

21. Conceptual Physics Alive: Heat, Temp and Expansion

Temperature and heat are distinguished from each other. The expansion of solids, liquids, and gases is compared. A discussion on specific heat capacity leads to the physics of a freezing lake. Demonstrations using liquid nitrogen show the effects of low temperatures.

22. Conceptual Physics Alive: Heat Transfer

Conduction is related to many everyday examples and is demonstrated by boiling water under a variety of conditions. Convection is shown with a pressure cooker. Radiation is related to Newton's law of cooling.

23. Conceptual Physics Alive: Heat Radiation

The temperature dependence of radiation frequencies are related to the greenhouse effect. The way in which sunlight spreads differently over parts of the earth helps explain the warmth of the equatorial regions and coolness of polar regions.

24. Conceptual Physics Alive: Heat: Change of Phase

The concepts of evaporation and condensation are contrasted. The energy transfer that accompanies changes of state is related to everyday examples.

25. Conceptual Physics Alive: Vibrations & Sound 1

A coiled toy is used to illustrate the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. Interference of waves and beats of sound are also demonstrated, followed by an explanation of shock waves and sonic booms.

26. Conceptual Physics Alive: Vibrations & Sound 2

The reflection, refraction, and speed of sound waves are explained. A discussion of forced vibrations and resonance culminates with exciting historical footage of the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940.

27. Conceptual Physics Alive: Light and Color

The electromagnetic nature of light and the reason its speed changes when passing through transparent materials are explained. Several demonstrations illustrate the addition of different colors of light. Finally, the colors of everyday things such as the sky, sunset, and ocean are discussed.

28. Conceptual Physics Alive: Reflection and Refraction

Mirrored and diffuse reflection are compared. Refraction is demonstrated using a water tank. The concepts of total internal reflection and light dispersion are discussed, leading to a demonstration of the properties of a rainbow.

29. Conceptual Physics Alive: Light Waves

The interference of light waves is demonstrated with laser light, and related to the colors of thin films. A discussion on polarization is illustrated using polarizing material.

30. Conceptual Physics Alive: Electrostatics

Electrostatic charging is demonstrated in a variety of ways--with a rubber rod, cat's fur, an electrophorus, a Whimshurst electrostatic generator, and a Van De Graaff generator. Lightning rods, charging by induction, and charge polarization are also discussed.

31. Conceptual Physics Alive: Electric Current

Concepts in electric current and examples of Ohm's law are discussed. Series and parallel circuits are demonstrated using a car battery that has extended terminals.

32. Conceptual Physics Alive: Magnetism and E&M Induction

Electromagnets, motors, generators, and magnetic levitation are examined, using numerous examples and demonstrations.

33. Conceptual Physics Alive: Radioactivity

The differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are discussed, with emphasis on balancing nuclear equations. Radioactive half-life and techniques for radioactive dating are also explained.

34. Conceptual Physics Alive: Fission and Fusion

Fission and fusion are distinguished and compared. Energy release from nuclear reactions is explained in terms of the resulting mass defects. Muon-induced cold fusion is briefly discussed.

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