Perception of Novices on Difficulties in Understanding Physics Problem

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1814_EeL14.43

Authors: Bimba Andrew, Norisma Idris

Abstract:

Proper understanding of a physics problem requires been able to identity relevant data within the problem statement and categorizing the problem based on the underlying principle involved. According to the existing research, novices have difficulty in categorizing a physics problem based on the underlying concepts. This paper presented a study on the difficulties of students in understanding physics problem. First, we conducted a survey to collate views from 43 pre-university students (novices) of University of Malaya on this issue. In the survey, we identified the relevant features of a physics problem as known, unknowns, objects, variable symbols, problem domain and the principle involved. Based on the results obtained from the survey, it was found that the students view understanding a physics problem as moderately difficult. We then conducted an experiment immediately after the survey, to analyze students’ understanding of physics problem. The result of the experiment indicated that novices are able to identify known variables and their corresponding symbols easily. However, more than 95{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} of the students did not identify the principle involved in solving the problem. This supports the existing fact that novices have difficulty in categorizing a physics problem based on the underlying principles. Over 93{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} of the students did not specify the unknown until they substituted the known values into the appropriate equation. It implies that, novices use equations memorized in an attempt to find the solution (unknown). Novices are not aware of their limitations in identifying the unknown, problem domain and principle involved in solving a physics problem. As a conclusion, students are having difficulties in understanding physics problem.

Keywords: understanding physics problem, problem-solving skills, problem features, categorizing