Conceptual challenges with the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string
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Conceptual challenges with the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string. / Rangkuti, Muhammad Aswin; Karam, Ricardo.
I: Physical Review Physics Education Research, Bind 18, 020119, 2022.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Conceptual challenges with the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string
AU - Rangkuti, Muhammad Aswin
AU - Karam, Ricardo
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Student difficulties with making sense of graphs in physics have been thoroughly reported. In the study of one-dimensional waves, the issue is even trickier since the amplitude is a function of two variables (position and time). In this work, we investigate students' reasoning and difficulties with interpreting the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string. A profile y(x) of the pulse was provided and students were asked to estimate the velocities of several points at the profile. This forced them to consider the time dimension, by focusing their attention on the motion of these points. This turned out to be extremely challenging to the students, who manifested several conceptual challenges which were categorized and analyzed in the first phase of the study. Based on these findings, three levels of scaffolding support were provided, where each level gradually guided the students to draw the wave profile after some time has elapsed. The scaffolding turned out to be effective, since many students managed to identify the new positions of the points successfully. The study reveals how static representations of intrinsically dynamic phenomena can be challenging for students to grasp.
AB - Student difficulties with making sense of graphs in physics have been thoroughly reported. In the study of one-dimensional waves, the issue is even trickier since the amplitude is a function of two variables (position and time). In this work, we investigate students' reasoning and difficulties with interpreting the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string. A profile y(x) of the pulse was provided and students were asked to estimate the velocities of several points at the profile. This forced them to consider the time dimension, by focusing their attention on the motion of these points. This turned out to be extremely challenging to the students, who manifested several conceptual challenges which were categorized and analyzed in the first phase of the study. Based on these findings, three levels of scaffolding support were provided, where each level gradually guided the students to draw the wave profile after some time has elapsed. The scaffolding turned out to be effective, since many students managed to identify the new positions of the points successfully. The study reveals how static representations of intrinsically dynamic phenomena can be challenging for students to grasp.
KW - WAVE BEHAVIOR
KW - PHYSICS
KW - BOUNDARY
KW - SOUND
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020119
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020119
M3 - Journal article
VL - 18
JO - Physical Review Physics Education Research
JF - Physical Review Physics Education Research
SN - 2469-9896
M1 - 020119
ER -
ID: 322657032