An inventory on rotational kinematics of a particle: unravelling misconceptions and pitfalls in reasoning

Student difficulties regarding the angular velocity () and angular acceleration () of a particle have remained relatively unexplored in contrast to their linear counterparts. We present an inventory comprising multiple choice questions aimed at probing misconceptions and eliciting ill-suited reasoni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of physics 2012-09, Vol.33 (5), p.1301-1312
Main Authors: Mashood, K K, Singh, Vijay A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
angular acceleration
angular velocity
Communication, education, history, and philosophy
Exact sciences and technology
Expertise
General physics
Inventories
inventory
Kinematics
Kinetics
Mathematical analysis
Misconceptions
Motion
particle
Particles (of physics)
Physics
Physics literature and publications
Rotational
Science Instruction
Scientific Concepts
Scientific Principles
Secondary School Science
Stockpiling
Students
Surveys and tutorial papers, resource letters
Teachers
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Description
Summary:Student difficulties regarding the angular velocity () and angular acceleration () of a particle have remained relatively unexplored in contrast to their linear counterparts. We present an inventory comprising multiple choice questions aimed at probing misconceptions and eliciting ill-suited reasoning patterns. The development of the inventory was based on interactions with students, teachers and experts. We report misconceptions, some of which are parallel to those found earlier in linear kinematics. Fixations with inappropriate prototypes were uncovered. Many students and even teachers mistakenly assume that all rotational motion is necessarily circular. A persistent notion that the direction of and should be 'along' the motion exists. Instances of indiscriminate usage of equations were identified.
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/0143-0807/33/5/1301