forces - physics - KS3 ages 11-16 misconceptions?

Question

Hi I want to write a report of about 1000 words on students misconceptions on the topic of forces for KS3 physics - children aged 11-16.

So was wondering if you could offer misconceptions regarding forces for children this age that I can add to my list that I am compiling.

thanks

Answer 1

I suppose the biggest misconception is that things remain stationary until you apply a force (i.e. push them) and stop when the force is taken away. It is only in science at school that you learn that something, once moving, will stay moving, until another force is applied, eg. the force resulting from friction.
The next misconception, as demonstrated in another question here, is the existence of centrifugal force.

Answer 2

The misconception that Heat=Temperature.'That if a body(say the Atlantic ocean) contains a large amounts of heat then it follows that you could not die of exposure in it'
It,s not forces, of course, but I've been dogged by this peculiarity many times while teaching.Do something about it.
What contains most heat?a burning match or a kettle full of boiling water(alternately which is hottest)

Answer 3

KS3 is 11-14 year olds, prior to GCSE level.
One misconception that springs to mind is that weight is the same as mass (jokingly referred to as the weight and mass debate).
Another is that there is no gravity in space, or no gravity on the moon.

Answer 4

Also add the differences between energy and force; and power and force. Compare the conservation of energy law to Newton's laws. Show a connection using the work function.

You might also want to emphasize the difference between a vector and a scalar; with the idea that force is a vector and energy is not. [You might illustrate by working a trajectory problem using forces and then using energy to solve the same problem.]

Answer 5

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Answer 6

This website will be helpful

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