A Systematic Literature Review of Misconceptions in Linear

A Systematic Literature Review of Misconceptions in Linear Circuit Analysis Nikitha Sambamurthy 1, Alex Edgcomb 1, 2 1. zy. Books, Los Gatos, CA 2. Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, Riverside

TL; DL (Too Long; Didn’t Listen) 1. Need for research that experimentally addresses linear circuit analysis misconceptions. 2. Many misconceptions stem from physics misconceptions. We suggest focusing on addressing physics misconceptions first.

Why care about misconceptions? Addressing student misconceptions is critical to learning.

Misconception Example Students can take water analogies literally, believing electrons will pool behind resistors like water pools behind a dam.

Literature Search misconceptions "circuit analysis" "electrical engineering" "first-year" -electrochemistry

Literature Search 93 articles 72 irrelevant 6 inaccessible [7] [9] [10] [13] [15] [17] [18] [19] [20] [23] [24] [26] [27] [28] [29]

What methods has the community used to investigate and address misconceptions?

Where did assessments come from? [17] [15] Validated assessments

Where did assessments come from? [17] [15] Validated assessments [20] [19] [18] In-house assessments

Where did assessments come from? [17] [15] Validated assessments [20] [19] [18] [23] [9] In-house assessments Class/Lab assessments

Where did assessments come from? [17] [15] Validated assessments [20] [19] [18] [23] [9] [10] In-house assessments Class/Lab assessments Textbook Analysis

Types of Assessment [7] [18] [19] [20] [23] [24] [26] [28] [27] [9] [13] [15] [29] Diagnostic assessments Interviews Both

Findings 1 Need for research addressing misconceptions.

What are the misconceptions?

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH 2* Use of algebraic manipulations.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS 2* 5* Failure to understand conservation of charge.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* Confusion in identifying what is alternating.

Categories of Misconceptions* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL 2* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* Misidentifying components in series & parallel.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* Blind reliance on Ohm’s Law.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS 4* Confusing open/closed circuits as on/off.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* Believing mesh current directions matter.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1* Failure to consider changes in whole circuit.

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1* explicit concept dependency concepts in conjunction

Categories of Misconceptions* MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1*

Specific Math Misconceptions • Algebra manipulations : Incorrect solving of algebra equation [19][20] • Calculus manipulations : Believe sinusoidal means sine, calculating wrong cosine angles [7]

Misconception Categories MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1*

Misconception Categories MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1*

Specific Physics Misconceptions • Charge as a property of matter: Electrons carry positive charge [7]; voltage source provides charge [10] • Conservation of charge : Charge is used up in a circuit [10]; current is used up in a circuit [23][24][26]; voltage is used up in a circuit [23] • Electric fields and voltage : Voltage source supplies current [10][24][26][27]; battery supplies the voltage source which causes current [27] • Term confusion : Current related to potential energy [7][27]; voltage and current switch on and off, or positive and negative [9]; current and voltage are confused [26]; current/resistance are confused [26]; voltage is (or like) current that flows or moves [27]; voltage is measure of strength/ size/force of current [27]; voltage is pressure [27] • Incomplete metaphor : Current is like water that flows through a pipe [9][10][27]; that metaphor yielded a particular misconception: current pools behind resistors [27]

Misconception Categories MATH PHYSICS AC CIRCUITS 2* 5* 2* ELEMENTS IN SERIES & PARALLEL APPLICATION OF OHM’S LAW 2* 2* OPEN & SHORT CIRCUITS KIRCHOFF’S CIRCUIT LAWS 4* 2* SEQUENTIAL REASONING 1*

Conclusion 2 Physics: focus on addressing misconceptions. Math: also foundational.

Conclusion • Need research addressing misconceptions • Focus on physics (and math) • Future work: Expand literature search, experiments addressing misconceptions

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