Junior Lyceum students' ability to transfer basic mathematical concepts from mathematics to physics

Abstract

This study analysed students' difficulties in applying basic mathematical concepts to a Physics context. 321 Form III students from six Junior Lyceums were given questionnaires in order to explore the main difficulties the students encountered. A detailed analysis of the students' performance in the questionnaire showed that students who have a strong mathematical background perform much better in quantitative Physics problems than students who do not. The latter tend to leave out completely quantitative Physics problems except for a few exceptions. Qualitative Physics problems were however more appealing to the majority of the students since a greater number of students attempted this section compared to the number of students attempting the numerical problems. The analysis showed that girls outperformed boys in all sections of the questionnaire. The results obtained were used to give some recommendations to Physics teachers as to what we think would help the students to deal with applying their knowledge of Mathematics to Physics.