College Students^ Difficulties of Momentum-Impuls Concept in Mathematical Representation Problems
Handy Faishal Rahim, Muhammad Reyza Arief Taqwa, Arif Hidayat*, and Sutopo

Departement of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Malang, Semarang Street No 5, East Java, Indonesia, 65145
*arif.hidayat.fmipa[at]um.ac.id

Abstract

This article aims to describe students^ difficulties with momentum-impulse in mathematical representation problems. This research is a descriptive study conducted on 186 physics department students who have taken the Basic Physics I course. The research instrument consisted of 7 reasoned multiple choice questions that measured the conceptual understanding of momentum and impulse. All questions are presented in a mathematical representation format. The questions used are valid questions according to experts, and based on the results of the empirical test, they are feasible based on the criteria of validity, reliability, discrimination index, and level of difficulty. Data analysis was carried out by determining descriptive statistics. The reasons for student answers are used as supporting data to determine the difficulties that occur in students. The results showed that many students had difficulty when solving the momentum-impulse problem in a mathematical representation format. The average score of students^ conceptual understanding is 44.78. The difficulties experienced by students include (1) using kinematics knowledge to determine momentum and impulse, (2) interpreting integral operations, and (3) interpreting momentum as a vector quantity.

Keywords: Students^ Difficulties-Momentum-Impuls-Mathematical Representation

Topic: Physics Education