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Gravity in Introductory
Astronomy and Physics
Courses
Goals:
• To investigate students’ thoughts about
gravity
• To develop instructional materials which
enable students to learn about gravity more
effectively
• To quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness
of the materials produced
Tools for Determining Students’
Concepts of Gravity
E M E M
E M
Phys111 Phys112
Spring '00 Fall 1998 Fall 1999 Spring '00
Response (N = 289) (N = 79) (N = 96) (N = 119)
A 59% 38% 47% 32%
B 24% 53% 45% 29%
C (correct) 8% 6% 6% 36%
D 2% 0% 0% 1%
E 2% 1% 0% 1%
F 4% 0% 2% 1%
No response 0% 1% 0% 0%
Earth
asteroid
N= 547 414 41
LARGER THAN:
3% 1% 2%
SAME AS: 15% 38% 12%
SMALLER THAN: 74% 59% 76%
ZERO: 7% 1% 7%
Fall ‘99
U-Astro U-AP1 U-CP1 U-CP2
U-AP1 U-CP1
N= 302 41
A) F
B) 2F
C) F/2
D) 2F/3
E) 3F/2
Lead Spheres N= % correct
Alg. Phys I 211 Traditional 51%
72 Worksheet 54%
Final Exam questions -
F99 Physics 221 Results
Calculus-based Physics I
Two lead spheres of mass M are separated by a
distance r; they are isolated in space with no other
masses nearby. the magnitude of the gravitational
force experienced by each mass is F. Now one of
the masses is doubled, and they are pushed farther
apart to a separation of 2r. Then, the magnitudes
of the gravitational forces experienced by the
masses are:
If yes, draw an arrow to indicate the direction that M3 will move, and
explain the reason for your answer. If no, explain why M3 does not
move.
U-AP1 U-CP1
N= 302 41
Phys111 Phys112
Spring'00 Fall '98 Fall '99 Spring '00
Response (N = 289) (N = 79) (N = 96) (N = 119)
A 11% 13% 10% 11%
B 64% 68% 73% 45%
C (correct) 17% 14% 10% 41%
D 7% 5% 6% 3%
E 0% 0% 0% 0%
No 1% 0% 0% 0%
Response
ISU Phys222
Spring 2000
Response (N = 240)
A 26%
B 32%
C (correct) 38%
D 3%
E 0%
F 1%
No response 0%
Earth
asteroid
Earth
asteroid
N= 15 48 21 41
LARGER THAN: 0% 2% 5% 2%
N= 21 15 48 21 41