Thought Experiment in Solving Physics Problems: A Study into Candidate Physics Teachers

Abstract

The current study is a two-step survey aiming at determining thought experiments designed by students within problem solving behavior and the structure. The first step was carried out with 22 first year and 28 fifth year students studying in the Program of Physics Teaching. A scale made up of 6 open ended questions regarding the motion law was used and the answers given by the students were examined through codes made to allow them to design a thought experiment. In the second step, an unattended observation was made to determine the thought experiment they will show in another test made up of 4 open – ended questions. Following the observation, semi-structured interviews were made with the students. At the end of the data analysis, the structures of the thought experiments were compared and the differences and similarities found were discussed.