Many students associate ‘energy’ with humans and other living things
Energy and Thermal Physics
Misconception
They think of energy as something that is needed for life and for activity.
Resources to Address This
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Words used to describe energy (11-16)
Ref - Practical physics; Energy; Introducing energy; Words used to describe energy
The topic of energy needs to be visited many times with a gradual increase in the sophistication and depth of the teaching. As there is no convenient definition of energy for beginners, the concept needs to develop slowly until students can write about energy without making mistakes; putting the right words into the right places. It benefits from a spiral approach to teaching.
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References
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- Legett, M. () Lessons that non-scientists can teach us about the concept of energy: a human-centred approach Physics Education, 38,
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- Trumper, R. () A Longitudinal Study of Physics Students' Conceptions on Energy in Pre-Service Training for High School Teachers Journal of Science Education and Technology, 7, (4)
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