Many students are unable to identify correctly the forces acting on each object in a situation where two or more objects interact
Forces and Motion
Misconception
This may mean that students commonly struggle to construct accurate free-body diagrams.
Diagnostic Resources
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Describing interactions
This resource provides a discussion framework for analysing interactions between objects.
View Resource -
Cardboard arrows (5-11 and 11-14)
Source - SPT/ Mf03TA04 and Fo01TA03)
Using cardboard arrows to build up force diagrams.
View Resource
References
The following studies have documented this misconception:
- Brown, D. E. () Students' Concept of Force: The Importance of Understanding Newton's Third Law. Physics Education, 24 (6),
353-357.
- Clement, J. () "Students' alternative conceptions in mechanics: a coherent system of preconceptions?" in H. Helm, and J. D. Novak (eds.), Proceedings of the International Seminar: Misconceptions in Science and Mathematics. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
310-315.
- diSessa, A. () Unlearning Aristotelian Physics: A Study of Knowledge-Based Learning. Cognitive Science, 6 (1),
37-75.