Forces and Motion

Pathways through the topic Machines

Teaching Guidance for 11-14 Supporting Physics Teaching

Machines pathways
Misconceptions
RESEARCH REVIEW Forces and Motion

Many students can use the word 'force' (to mean a push or a pull) and understand that a force is needed to get a stationary object moving

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RESEARCH REVIEW Forces and Motion

Many students cannot correctly identify the forces acting on an object that has been set in motion but is slowing down

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RESEARCH REVIEW Energy and Thermal Physics

Few students use ideas about energy and energy conservation and are more likely to use ideas like speed or force

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IOP AWARDS 2025

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