Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS April Meeting 2019
Volume 64, Number 3
Saturday–Tuesday, April 13–16, 2019; Denver, Colorado
Session J07: Teaching Energy in the 21st Century
1:30 PM–3:18 PM,
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Sheraton
Room: Governor's Square 16
Sponsoring
Unit:
FEd
Chair: Mackenzie Stetzer, University of Maine
Abstract: J07.00002 : Leveraging understanding of energy from physics to overcome unproductive intuitions in chemistry*
2:06 PM–2:42 PM
View Presentation
Abstract
Presenter:
Beth A. Lindsey
(Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny)
Author:
Beth A. Lindsey
(Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny)
Energy is a topic that spans the scientific disciplines. Thus the teaching of energy in physics can impact student learning in chemistry, and vice versa. Many studies conducted within the domains of both physics and chemistry demonstrate that potential energy in particular is a difficult topic for students. In this talk, I will discuss a project to empirically test how best to support student learning of electrostatic potential energy. We examine student responses to a question about how the potential energy of a system of two attracting ions varies with distance (the “ions” task), and investigate how these responses change after students have been exposed to either a question designed to help them think about gravitational potential energy, or the potential energy of a system of two attracting magnets. Results from small-group interviews and online assignments, which include a randomized intervention component, will be presented. The results are interpreted using dual-process theories of reasoning and decision making, and implications for instruction will be discussed.
*This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. DUE-1431857, DUE-1431541, DUE-1431940, DUE-1432765, DUE-1432052, DUE-1821400, DUE-1821390, DUE-1821561, DUE-1821123, and DUE-1821511.
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