Work

Johann Bernoulli's analysis of elastic collisions (a teaching sequence to introduce the dynamic law thereby inspired)

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: In order to explain an elastic collision, Johann Bernoulli considered two bodies connected by a spring. Motion is defined as a succession of states of rest. Then, considering the spring to be a lever with a body at each extremity, the laws of equilibrium imply that `motion' is described by the time variation of the (common) quantity of motion of the bodies; the dynamic law is thus deduced. This inspires a teaching sequence to introduce the dynamic law (in one dimension) in introductory physics course; we call it ``bernoullian sequence''.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2609.24067

Authors: Campos, Roberta T., Francisquini, Mariana F. B., Dias, Penha M. Cardozo

Institution: Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Language: English

Topic: Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7214049845

Cites: 4

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Related to: 10