A unified, contemporary approach to teaching energy in introductory physics

Students in introductory physics courses frequently struggle with various aspects of energy analyses. We argue that inconsistencies and errors in the traditional treatment of energy contribute to these student confusions. As an alternative to creating multiple activities to ameliorate student difficulties, we describe a more coherent, contemporary approach to the teaching of energy that offers students a principled way to avoid confusions.Students in introductory physics courses frequently struggle with various aspects of energy analyses. We argue that inconsistencies and errors in the traditional treatment of energy contribute to these student confusions. As an alternative to creating multiple activities to ameliorate student difficulties, we describe a more coherent, contemporary approach to the teaching of energy that offers students a principled way to avoid confusions.