ERIC Number: EJ1156500
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Nov
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
Which Bulb Is Brighter? It Depends on Connection! Strategies for Illuminating Electrical Concepts Using Light Bulbs
Wong, Darren; Lee, Paul; Foong, See Kit
Physics Education, v52 n6 Article 065008 Nov 2017
In this paper, we examined teachers' understanding of electrical concepts such as power, current and potential difference based on how these concepts were applied to understand the relative brightness seen in bulbs of different wattage under different connections--series or parallel. From the responses of teachers to a concept question, we identified common lines of reasoning and the associated conceptual difficulties. To support the explanation of the concept question, we set up relevant circuits and made measurements of the circuits. We discuss the temperature dependence of the resistance of the light bulb which although critical for in-depth understanding of the relative brightness, was often omitted in the teacher responses. Lastly, we share insights and strategies to elicit and confront students' thinking and to help them resolve, extend and apply their thinking with regard to the related electrical concepts using various light bulb activities.
Descriptors: Energy, Scientific Concepts, Light, Knowledge Level, Science Teachers, Heat, Concept Formation, Physics, Secondary School Teachers, Pretests Posttests, Knowledge Base for Teaching, Science Laboratories, Laboratory Equipment, Demonstrations (Educational), Science Experiments, Laboratory Experiments, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A