Playing Physics Jeopardy

Abstract

This article presents a new format for physics problems that is similar to the game show Jeopardy in which contestants are given the answer to a question and asked to state the question. In Physics Jeopardy, the problem starts with a mathematical equation, a graph or a diagram that describes a physical process. The solver constructs other representations of the problem including a word or picture description of a problem and process that is consistent with the equation, graph, or diagram. The Jeopardy Problem solution becomes an effort to represent a physical process in a variety of ways—sketches, diagrams, graphs, and equations—more like the method used by experienced physicists when analyzing problems.