written by Rasil Warnakulasooriya and Lei Bao

We give two examples on how students' reasoning is dependent on the context of the questions. In the first example concerning the grounding of a neutral metal in the presence of a positive external charge, we show how relations can be thought of as preserved between two related questions. In the second example, concerning the grounding of a neutral metal in the presence of a negative external charge, we show how the reasoning is dependent on the fundamental ontological reasoning students have with respect to what type of charge is capable of movement. The implication for instruction is that a set of related questions as discussed in the paper can be used to elucidate and address the fundamental limitations of students' reasoning.

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Published September 9, 2004
Last Modified July 7, 2013

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