Ten years of evaluation of the teaching-learning of Newtonian Mechanics at Spanish engineering schools: influence on the level of knowledge and the persistence of misconceptions

Abstract

The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) has been given to first year engineering students at many Spanish Universities since its publication in 1992. Its result has been compared with those corresponding to the American Universities where FCI was also given. As a consequence of the FCI results, shown in the paper, a low level of understanding of the force concept, low academic yield and the persistence of misconceptions in this field were noted. The problems noted were considered incompatible with an adequate understanding of Newtonian mechanics.