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Re: [Phys-l] A simple (?) question about speed



It appears to be a reasonable generality to state that students do not
*initially* understand the difference between the terms speed, velocity,
and acceleration. Their lack of ability to distinguish these properties
is a difficult 'mis-conception' to break. It isn't really just teaching
a new definition for velocity & acceleration. We have to break the
prio-conception first.

Students will certainly tell you that they were thinking velocity or
acceleration when you were asking for the other. They were, but it is
also likely that while they were thinking acceleration, they were also
assigning the term acceleration to their thinking.

These difficulties are one of the reasons the fci seems to be a good
measure of instruction.

Would it make a difference if we called the object a whosenwhatsit?
Probably. Folks new to physics usually try to solve a problem based on
'surface characteristics.' If you've covered springs & elastic bodies
and you ask a student how fast would a spring go if you dropped it from
a cliff, most would get the problem right, but most would also spend 3
seconds trying to apply hooke's law.


Paul Lulai . . . To wonder is to begin to understand
Physics Instructor
Saint Anthony Village Senior High School, ISD 282
3303 33rd Avenue N.E.
Saint Anthony Village, MN 55418

(w) 612-706-1144
(fax) 612-706-1140