Galileo's Quantization

TL;DR

This paper presents an alternative formulation of motion on inclined planes inspired by Galileo's rule, aiming to enhance physics teaching by avoiding Newtonian concepts and fostering conceptual understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach based on Galileo's experimental rule, providing a new way to analyze motion without relying on velocity, acceleration, or force.

Findings

Offers a function relating distance and time based on Galileo's rule

Provides a didactical scenario for physics education

Facilitates conceptual understanding without Newtonian mechanics

Abstract

In the context of physics didactics, alternative instructional approaches have often been employed to facilitate conceptual understanding of various topics. In this article, an alternative formulation for analyzing the motion of bodies on inclined planes is presented, based on Galileo's experimental rule involving multiples of odd numbers. According to this, bodies traverse distances that increase in odd multiples of an initial amount during successive equal time intervals. In the proposed formulation, a function is established between distance, whether ascending or descending, and time, omitting the use of Newtonian concepts such as velocity, acceleration, or force. The theoretical exploration of this formulation may provide significant didactical benefits, offering scenarios for discussion and reflection in physics didactics.