Search results for "Newtonian mechanic"
showing 4 items of 4 documents
A Study on Engineering Freshman Conceptual Understanding of Newtonian Mechanics
2021
Force concept inventory is a multiple-choice questionnaire commonly used to assess students’ conceptual understanding of Newtonian mechanics. We here show that a cluster analysis method can be used to study student answers to the force concept inventory to investigate their understanding of Newtonian mechanics and provide new insights into the use of the force concept inventory. We identi- fied groups of students characterized by similar correct answers as well as by non- correct answers to the questionnaire, whose analysis allowed us to highlight student misconceptions/non-normative conceptions. Such an analysis of student answers gave us insights into the relationships between the student…
The double cone: a mechanical paradox or a geometrical constraint?
2011
In the framework of the Italian National Plan ‘Lauree Scientifiche’ (PLS) in collaboration with secondary schools, we have investigated the mechanical paradox of the double cone. We have calculated the geometric condition for obtaining an upward movement. Based on this result, we have built a mechanical model with a double cone made of aluminum and a couple of wooden rails.
Freshman Engineering’ Reasoning Strategies When Answering FCI Questions: A Case Study
2020
Force Concept Inventory (FCI) is a questionnaire commonly used to assess students’ conceptual understanding of Newtonian Mechanics. We show that Cluster Analysis methods can be used to study student answers to FCI by finding their reasoning strategies on Newtonian Mechanics. Our analysis is performed to data obtained by a sample of freshman engineering students just at the beginning of their first General Physics course. The analysis takes into account the decomposition of the force concept into the conceptual dimensions suggested by test authors and successive researches. We identified groups of students with similar answering strategies, characterised by correct answers, as well as by non…
Physics at the grocery store
2022
The motion of a food can on an accelerated conveyor belt in a grocery store is described by means of Newtonian mechanics. By assuming that the food can may roll on the conveyor belt, when the cashier starts this device, one can prove that the rolling motion, observed in the belt reference system, is such that the can is seen to move away for the cashier. Experiments can be performed with common material: an empty and a full food can, and a sheet of paper as conveyor belt.