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International Journal of Science Education
written by Robin Millar and K. L. Beh
This paper reports an investigation of the performance of school students at age 15 on written diagnostic questions involving the prediction of meter readings in simple electric circuits with parallel branches.  Results show that these students tend to perceive such questions in resistance-current terms, with a primary focus on resistor addition, rather than in voltage terms, with two loads being driven from the same source.  Common errors in predicting voltages across parallel branches suggest that few students use a mental model of solving parallel circuit problems but instead attempt to solve problems by mechanical use of the V=IR equation.  Implications for the teaching of electric circuits at this level are identified.
International Journal of Science Education: Volume 15, Issue 4, Pages 351-361
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
- Student Characteristics
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- High School
- Reference Material
= Research study
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Access Rights:
Available by subscription
Restriction:
© 1993
DOI:
10.1080/0950069930150401
ISSN Number:
0950-0693
Keywords:
Ohm's Law, circuits, electricity, misconceptions
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created July 13, 2005 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
September 23, 2007 by Lyle Barbato
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AIP Format
R. Millar and K. Beh, , Int. J. Sci. Educ. 15 (4), 351 (1993), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401).
AJP/PRST-PER
R. Millar and K. Beh, Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits, Int. J. Sci. Educ. 15 (4), 351 (1993), <https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401>.
APA Format
Millar, R., & Beh, K. (1993). Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits. Int. J. Sci. Educ., 15(4), 351-361. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401
Chicago Format
Millar, Robin, and K. L. Beh. "Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits." Int. J. Sci. Educ. 15, no. 4, (1993): 351-361, https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401 (accessed 29 March 2024).
MLA Format
Millar, Robin, and K. L. Beh. "Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits." Int. J. Sci. Educ. 15.4 (1993): 351-361. 29 Mar. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Robin Millar and K. L. Beh", Title = {Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits}, Journal = {Int. J. Sci. Educ.}, Volume = {15}, Number = {4}, Pages = {351-361}, Year = {1993} }
Refer Export Format

%A Robin Millar %A K. L. Beh %T Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits %J Int. J. Sci. Educ. %V 15 %N 4 %D 1993 %P 351-361 %U https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Millar, Robin %A Beh, K. L. %D 1993 %T Student's understanding of voltage in simple parallel electric circuits %J Int. J. Sci. Educ. %V 15 %N 4 %P 351-361 %@ 0950-0693 %U https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150401


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