Misconceptions in

Physics

All of us have misconceptions about the way the world works.  Many of these are acquired early in life by inadequate observation and false assumptions, but others are spread by inexact textbooks and movies that do not reflect reality.  For example, movies may show visible laser beams (laser beams are not visible unless reflected by dust or other matter), exploding cars (cars don’t explode on impact), conversations in outer space (sound will not travel in a vacuum), and guns that do not recoil (violation of conservation of momentum).  Most misconceptions can be identified by careful observation and use of critical thinking strategies.  Consider the following misconceptions and how a review of contradictory data is used to identify them.  

misconception: An object at rest has no energy.


misconception: Doubling the speed of an object doubles its kinetic energy.


misconception: Weight is the same thing as mass.


misconception: Acceleration always occurs in the same direction as an object is moving.

 

Activity 7.4.1 – Clarifying misconceptions in physics

Note to teacher:  The following is a list of common misconceptions in physics. Give one to each student and instruct them to research  the misconception, explain why it is wrong by reasoning from observed facts and experiences, and provide a correct explanation.  Explanations are found in the answer section in this chapter.

 

As waves move, matter moves along with them.