Well, now the student has learned that it is not an irrelevant detail and the student has learned two laws which were previously misunderstood. So from this point of view, the experience was not wasted either, since the student will use the derivation on his own, now that the beginning part, the definitions of the laws, has been corrected. If you have read the earlier material on this course, you will know the answer immediately. Science is not based upon a trust of authority. It is based upon a mistrust of authority.
Scientists are skeptics.
If we are doing science, our students should be skeptical. As soon as they are able to trust the teacher they cease to be doing science and begin to do the Religion of Science. The teacher is no longer a science teacher but a High Priest of Science. Primary Obstacle Wilton High School Chemistry Let us know what you think.