Pre-Service Physics Teachers’ Difficulties in Understanding Special Relativity Topics

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the reasons why pre-service physics teachers have difficulties related to special relativity topics. In this study conducted with 25 pre-service physics teachers, the case study method, which is a qualitative research method, was used. Interviews were held with the participants about their reasons for difficulties in understanding special relativity topics. We used content analysis with the interview data and created eight categories. By doing so, we tried to identify the causes of difficulties experienced by the participants. As a result, it can be said that students are biased against relativity subjects and consider them to be difficult. Although the students found the subject interesting, problems such as mathematical difficulties, problems related to determining the reference system and transition from classical physics to relativistic physics made the learning process difficult for them. Additionally, we identified positive and negative opinions about the teaching method.

Visualising relativity: assessing high school students’ understanding of complex physics concepts through AI-generated images

“…GR's complex nature makes it inherently challenging to represent visually in traditional representations like diagrammatic sketches. This investigation reveals that AI-generated images could serve as a valuable educational medium: prompting students to visualise and engage complex ideas while offering teachers a glimpse at students' conceptualisation of challenging concepts [6,7].…”

“…However, it is possible to note, by the description and the interview, that the student did not have clear ideas about 'relativity'. Tom also did not demonstrate a reasonable understanding of RT and could not explain the main concepts of the theory during the interview [7].…”

“…In this sense, to grasp these counterintuitive concepts, great reasoning skills are required, embracing more abstract and flexible conceptions of reality. Visualization skills are crucial for abstract reasoning [5] and, students' many difficulties with the visualization of relativity phenomena [6,7] presents a challenge for educators. In this context, research on students' visualization abilities is essential for a deeper understanding of the theory.…”

Investigating the Reasons of Difficulty Understanding of Students in Special Relativity Topics

“…The theory is also taught in science teaching departments other than physics and physics teaching departments of universities. In parallel to the increasing interest about teaching relativity in Turkey, science teaching researches have increased in the recent years (Demir and Akarsu, 2014;DidişKörhasan and Özcan, 2015;Selçuk, 2011;Özcan, 2011;ÜnlüYavaş and Kızılcık, 2016;Yıldız, 2012).…”

الصعوبات العلمیة لدى معلمی الفیزیاء بالمرحلة الثانویة وعلاقتها بالتصارع المعرفی والتفکیر المجرد لدى طلابهم

“…‫دة‬ ‫د‬ ‫اعجنبي‬ ‫داى‬ ‫د‬ ‫اس‬ ‫الدر‬ ‫دن‬ ‫د‬ ‫م‬ ‫در‬ ‫د‬ ‫كبي‬ ‫ددا‬ ‫د‬ ‫ع‬ ‫دامج‬ ‫د‬ ‫ت‬ ‫دير‬ ‫د‬ ‫وتش‬ (e.g. Kaltakci-Gurel et al, 2016;Retnawati et al, 2018;Ünlü Yavas & Kizilcik, 2016…”