The structure of knowledge and students’ misconceptions in physics

Abstract

Misconceptions are beliefs that contradict accepted scientific knowledge but they are seemingly supported by commonsense arguments. Misconceptions in physics attest the lack of recognition of existing physical correlations but improper ideas can often be found in their place. From testing of misconceptions, we have deduced, that they are also related to the structure of knowledge. Some basic rules (the rule of completeness of information, the knowledge of closely related ideas, the existence of entire trains of thought, and the thorough knowledge of basic principles) were identified as a tool for the elimination of the students’ misconceptions, a distinct guidance to the prevention or elimination of misconceptions is proposed based on this.