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American Journal of Physics
written by Hunter G. Close and Paula R. L. Heron
This paper describes an investigation of student ability to apply the principle of momentum conservation in one dimension. As part of the investigation, we conducted interviews with students who had completed introductory calculus-based mechanics. We found that some of them attributed special significance to a certain limiting case: An (elastic) collision between a light incident object and an initially stationary massive target. They used their correct prediction of the observable outcome of such a collision to support an incorrect view of momentum. A tutorial designed to help students understand this special case improved their performance on examination questions on more general collisions. The process of developing curriculum based on students' spontaneous, productive reasoning is illustrated.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 78, Issue 9, Pages 961-969
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Classical Mechanics
- Linear Momentum
= Collisions in One Dimension
= Conservation of Linear Momentum
Education - Applied Research
- Active Learning
= Problem Solving
- Instructional Material Design
= Tutorial
Education - Basic Research
- Alternative Conceptions
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
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- Researchers
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© 2010 American Association of Physics Teachers
DOI:
10.1119/1.3421391
ISSN Number:
00029505
NSF Numbers:
9727648
0088840
PACS:
01.40.Fk
Keywords:
conservation of momentum, elastic collisions, inelastic collisions
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created July 19, 2012 by Zachary Davis
Record Updated:
January 2, 2016 by Deleted User
Last Update
when Cataloged:
September 1, 2010
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Record Link
AIP Format
H. Close and P. Heron, , Am. J. Phys. 78 (9), 961 (2010), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391).
AJP/PRST-PER
H. Close and P. Heron, Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation, Am. J. Phys. 78 (9), 961 (2010), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391>.
APA Format
Close, H., & Heron, P. (2010, September 1). Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation. Am. J. Phys., 78(9), 961-969. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391
Chicago Format
Close, Hunter, and Paula R. L. Heron. "Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation." Am. J. Phys. 78, no. 9, (September 1, 2010): 961-969, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391 (accessed 3 December 2024).
MLA Format
Close, Hunter, and Paula R. L. Heron. "Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation." Am. J. Phys. 78.9 (2010): 961-969. 3 Dec. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Hunter Close and Paula R. L. Heron", Title = {Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {78}, Number = {9}, Pages = {961-969}, Month = {September}, Year = {2010} }
Refer Export Format

%A Hunter Close %A Paula R. L. Heron %T Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation %J Am. J. Phys. %V 78 %N 9 %D September 1, 2010 %P 961-969 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Close, Hunter %A Heron, Paula R. L. %D September 1, 2010 %T Research as a guide for improving student learning: An example from momentum conservation %J Am. J. Phys. %V 78 %N 9 %P 961-969 %8 September 1, 2010 %@ 00029505 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3421391


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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The AJP/PRST-PER presented is based on the AIP Style with the addition of journal article titles and conference proceeding article titles.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

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