Exploring the Relation Between Intuitive Physics Knowledge and Equations During Problem Solving

BUTELER, LAURA MARÍA; COLEONI, ENRIQUE ANDRÉS

Electronic Journal od Science Education

Southwestern University

Lugar: Fort Worth, TX; Año: 2014 vol. 8 p. 1 - 20

1087-3430

Solving many quantitative problems does not necessarily lead to an improved Physics understanding. However, physicists, who have learned physics largely through quantitative problems solving, often have a refined physical intuition. Assuming that the refinement of physical intuitions occurs, to a great extent, during problem solving, the question that guides this study is: how do equations contribute (or not) to the refinement of students? intuitions? We approach this study within a knowledge-in-pieces perspective and we describe intuitions using diSessa?s (1993) phenomenological primitives. We present a study in which two cases, corresponding to two groups of students solving a problem involving buoyancy are compared. We discuss how the use of equations does or does not contribute to the refinement in students? intuitions.