A study of undergraduates’ understanding of vector-decomposition of forces on inclined planes

Abstract

Students often struggle to decompose a vector, especially when calculating the force components of an object on an inclined plane. In this study, we designed an online vector survey in the context of physics and implemented it in a primarily undergraduate university. The study focuses on the students’ learning difficulties and teaching strategies associated with vector decomposition on inclined planes. The analysis of the students’ responses indicates that translating a vector to the position with geometric convenience can help them identify angles and calculate vector components on inclined planes more accurately; when students are provided with the definition of the angle in the vector component formula, their performance improves.