Some students think that heavy objects sink and light object float regardless of shape and size
Properties of Matter
Misconception
Diagnostic Resources
The following worksheets may help to identify whether students hold this particular misconception.
For more information, see the University of York BEST website.
References
The following studies have documented this misconception:
- Besson, U., () Students' Conceptions of Fluids, International Journal of Science Education, 26 (14),
1683-1714.
- Lee, Y. C. and Kwok P. W., () Transforming a traditional hands-on activity into an enquiry activity to foster more in-depth understanding of the concept of density, Physics Education, 45 (5),
533-538.