Drawing of forces in circular motion

Abstract

This paper describes Mapúa Institute of Technology freshmen's drawing of forces in uniform circular motion using the Free-Body Exercises: Circular Motion. Students completed the pretest prior to the interview to assess students' difficulties in constructing free body diagram in circular motion. The same test was given after being habituated in constructing free body diagrams and solving dynamics problems. The pretest results indicate that most of the students were able to identify the forces acting on an object moving in uniform circular motion in different situations. However, they included unnecessary forces. The interview results showed that students encountered several difficulties with the drawing of free body diagrams such as their misconceptions and difficulties in representing the directions of the forces. Posttest results showed a significant change on student illustration of forces in uniform circular motion. A worksheet was used to find out the effect of the free body exercises in assisting students in solving problems in circular motion. 96% of the students performed well in the problem solving.