We have investigated students' qualitative understanding of dc circuits containing resistors and a capacitor. We found that a year after traditional lecture instruction as part of an introductory physics course, most students were unable to predict the behavior of a series circuit consisting of a battery, a bulb, and a capacitor. Among the difficulties identified we found that almost half of the students implicitly abandoned the idea that a complete circuit is necessary for a bulb to light when a capacitor is introduced into the circuit. We have developed curriculum that enables students to construct a phenomenological model in which they liken the behavior of a capacitor to that of a wire, a switch, and a battery; this allows them to qualitatively describe circuits with batteries, bulbs, and capacitors. We have also developed curriculum on the determination of RC times. Post-test results show a significant increase in understanding of capacitive circuits.
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PHYSICS EDUCATION RESEARCH|
May 01 2013
A qualitative approach to teaching capacitive circuits Available to Purchase
David P. Smith;
David P. Smith
a)
Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning & School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University
, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Paul van Kampen
Paul van Kampen
b)
Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning & School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University
, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Search for other works by this author on:
David P. Smith
a)
Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning & School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University
, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Paul van Kampen
b)
Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning & School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University
, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
a)
Present address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
b)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
Am. J. Phys. 81, 389–396 (2013)
Article history
Received:
May 27 2012
Accepted:
March 04 2013
Citation
David P. Smith, Paul van Kampen; A qualitative approach to teaching capacitive circuits. Am. J. Phys. 1 May 2013; 81 (5): 389–396. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4795589
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