A Study of Qualitative Reasoning System about Pendulums Colliding Phenomenon

Abstract

There is qualitative reasoning as one method for explaining the causal relationship on the various physical phenomena with time factor. By using such qualitative reasoning, we can predict the whole behavior of a object, and make the system recognize its state. As a result of it, the system can generate the causal explanation related to its physical phenomena. In this study, we propose the architecture of the intelligent explanation system incorporated with the function of qualitative reasoning which treats pendulums colliding phenomena, as reflecting human naive thinking process. Especially, we consider to combine the qualitative reasoning system with numerous simulation which can make process mutually both the continuous state (connection of a moment and a boundary) and non-continuous state (connection of a moment and next moment) of the phenomena. Finally, we describe the experimental framework of an intelligent educational system with those functions and direct manipulation interface so called an interactive learning environment.