Navigating four dimensions – upper secondary students’ understanding of movement in spacetime

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftKonferenceartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

In contrast to classical physics, general relativity (GR) interprets gravity as geometry. Objects follow geodesic curves in four-dimensional spacetime and curvature creates the illusion of a gravitational force. Despite the scientific relevance of this theory, educational research in the domain of GR is scarce. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge concerning secondary students' understanding of GR. Based on a thematic analysis of audio records of student discussions of 97 Norwegian physics students (18-19 years), we present results on students' understanding of geodesic movement in spacetime. Our findings can give guidance to improve learning and instruction of a key concept of GR at the upper secondary school level.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer012007
BogserieJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Vol/bind1287
Antal sider8
ISSN1742-6588
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2019
Eksternt udgivetJa

ID: 359244968