Physics Between Qualitative Understanding and Quantitative Analysis

Abstract

This study sheds light on the impact of qualitative understanding on quantitative analysis (mathematical manipulations) in the discipline of physics. It has become evident, in this study, that the construction of physics concepts (qualitative understanding) is a major factor in solving quantitative physics problems. The study also answers the following question: can quantitative result be reached regardless of the comprehension of necessary physics concepts? The study shows that students who constructed an improper physics understanding could not acquire a correct quantitative result, and in some cases students reached an impasse when they tried to express the results of their qualitative problem analyses in quantitative terms. Moreover, the study does not only show how students misconceptions in physics come into play in solving formal problems that demand a precise quantitative solution, but also indicates which correct qualitative physics knowledge should be applied in order to guide the use of quantitative physics knowledge successfully.