Changing Misconceptions in Physics and Physical Science Students

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Changing Misconceptions in Physics and Physical
Science Students

• Presented by Catherine Charnawskas
• and Margaret Milligan

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Quiz

• Website https//www2oakland.edu/secure/sbquiz/in
  dex.cfm
• Quiz helps to diagnose common misconceptions that
  science students have.
• Full quiz covers physical science/physics,
  chemistry, biology, and astronomy.

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Topics we will cover today

• Newtons Laws
• Gravity
• Electricity and Circuits
• Light
• Density and Buoyancy

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Newtons Three Laws

• Newtons First Law
• An object in motion will remain in motion, an
  object at rest will remain at rest, unless acted
  upon by an outside force.
• Newtons Second Law
• Force mass acceleration
• Newtons Third Law
• For every action, there is an equal and opposite
  reaction.

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Newtons Demos and Lab

• Question Can one person
• out pull another person?
• Two volunteers
• Two spring scales
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Newtons Demo and Lab

• Question Can I push you away?
• Two Volunteers
• Two chairs with wheels (skateboards or roller
  skates also work)
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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The Effects of Gravity

• Question What happens if a feather and hammer
  are dropped at the same time (in the absence of
  air resistance)?
• Video Clip Astronauts having fun!
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Newtons Demo and Lab

• Question Can you remove the paper towel without
  moving the beaker?
• Volunteer
• Paper Towel (brown school paper towel works best)
• Stack of Beakers
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Electricity and Circuits

• Question How many ways can you light the bulb?
• Light bulb and holder
• Alligator clips and wires
• Batteries and battery packs
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Electricity and Circuits

• Question Can we make a human circuit?
• Human volunteers!
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Density

• Question Is your soda dense?
• Can of regular and diet soda
• Tank of water
• Hypothesis? Results? Explanation?

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Wrap-up

• All the handouts and PowerPoint can be found at
• http//www.msu.edu/milliga9/mdsta.htm