Determination of high school students' conceptual understandings of the velocity and pressure of fluids

This study aimed to determine high school students' conceptual understanding of fluid velocity and pressure. Conducted using qualitative research methods, the study took place during the spring semester of the 2023-2024 academic year at two different Anatolian High Schools located in Ankara province, with a total of 38 participating 10th-grade students. The Conceptual Understanding Form (CUF) was employed as the data collection tool in this research, designed to assess students' conceptual understanding related to fluid velocity and pressure. In developing the questions for the CUF, a literature review was initially conducted on the subject area. Questions for the CUF were developed following a thorough literature review on the subject and aligned with the learning outcomes in the Physics Curriculum. Subsequently, expert opinions from specialists in physics and physics education were consulted to refine the questions. Following expert consultations, four questions were selected for inclusion in the CUF to assess students' conceptual understanding of fluid velocity and pressure. Voluntary participation was the basis for students' involvement in the research. Data obtained using the CUF were analyzed using content analysis to derive the research findings. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six students to support the findings. The study revealed that students not only had gaps in their knowledge regarding the relationship between fluid velocity and pressure but also exhibited incorrect conceptual understandings. Furthermore, it was identified that students' incorrect conceptual understandings regarding the relationship between fluid velocity and pressure were more prevalent compared to incorrect conceptual understandings related to cross-sectional area and velocity.