Exploring students' conceptions of forces in uniform circular motion

• Main Author: San Juan, Charish R.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2003
• Subjects: Centripetal force; Force and energy; Physics; Science and Mathematics Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5871; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12703&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper describes Mapua Institute of Technology freshmen’s analysis of forces in uniform circular motion using the Free-Body Exercises: Circular Motion. Students completed the pretest prior to the interview to assess students’ conceptions of forces in uniform circular motion and centripetal force. The pretest and interview results indicate that most of the students were having difficulties in constructing FBDs. It is also reflected that students have different conceptions of forces and centripetal forces acting in the four items included in the Free Body Exercises. Some conceptions are correct but some were incorrect. Most students were able to solve problems in the worksheet. 96% of the students performed well in the problem solving. The results of the worksheet indicate that the Free Body Exercises are useful in adding students to solve problems in uniform circular motion. It also helped in erasing that the only common approach in solving problems is by memorizing equations and formulas.