Abstract Information

 
 
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  Title: Students' Energy Models Mechanics Though Electromagnetism*
  Meeting: 127th AAPT National Meeting: Madison, WI
  Location: Hall of Ideas J
  Date: Wednesday, Aug. 6
  Time: 12:30 p.m.
  Author: Salomon Itza-Ortiz, Kansas State Univ.
785-532-1824, sitza@phys.ksu.edu
  Co-Author(s): Benjamin Lawrence, N. Sanjay Rebello, Dean A. Zollman
  Abstract: Energy is a central concept in science. We have extended our previous research1 of students' models of energy from mechanics contexts to electromagnetism contexts. We conducted interviews and administered a written survey, which was designed based on students' responses in the interview. Our research subjects were students enrolled in a two-semester, calculus-based physics course. We found that students seemed to use a model of energy with four different components: energy due to position, motion, substance and conservation. We will present the research results from our interviews and surveys.
  Footnotes: *Supported in part by NSF grant #REC-008788.

1. Salomon F. Itza-Ortiz, Benjamin Lawrence, Sanjay Rebello and Dean Zollman, "Mental Models in Energy, Mechanics Contexts," 126th AAPT National Meeting (Jan. 2003).