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FAQ Coverage Gaps

This document identifies physics concepts from the learning graph that are not currently addressed in the FAQ, organized by priority for potential future additions.

Generated: 2025-11-10 Total Concepts in Learning Graph: 200 Concepts Covered in FAQ: 95 Gaps: 105 concepts (52.5%)

High Priority Gaps (Critical)

These are high-centrality concepts with many dependencies that would benefit from FAQ coverage. Students frequently encounter these concepts and may have questions.

1. Graphical Analysis

  • Taxonomy: Foundation
  • Why Important: Foundation skill for interpreting position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs
  • Dependencies: 14+ concepts depend on this
  • Suggested Question: "How do I interpret and analyze physics graphs?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

2. Position-Time Graphs

  • Taxonomy: Kinematics
  • Why Important: Visual representation of motion, slope gives velocity
  • Dependencies: Foundation for understanding kinematics
  • Suggested Question: "How do I read and interpret position-time graphs?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

3. Velocity-Time Graphs

  • Taxonomy: Kinematics
  • Why Important: Visual representation of velocity, slope gives acceleration, area gives displacement
  • Dependencies: Essential for understanding motion analysis
  • Suggested Question: "What information can I get from a velocity-time graph?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

4. Acceleration-Time Graphs

  • Taxonomy: Kinematics
  • Why Important: Completes the trilogy of motion graphs
  • Dependencies: Links to velocity-time graphs
  • Suggested Question: "How do acceleration-time graphs relate to velocity and position?"
  • Bloom's Level: Analyze

5. Vector Components

  • Taxonomy: Foundation
  • Why Important: Essential for 2D motion, projectile motion, force resolution
  • Dependencies: 12+ concepts require component decomposition
  • Suggested Question: "How do I break vectors into components?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

6. Dot Product

  • Taxonomy: Foundation
  • Why Important: Used to calculate work (W = F·d)
  • Dependencies: Foundation for work calculations
  • Suggested Question: "What is the dot product and when do I use it?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

7. Cross Product

  • Taxonomy: Foundation
  • Why Important: Used to calculate torque (τ = r × F)
  • Dependencies: Foundation for rotational motion
  • Suggested Question: "What is the cross product and how does it relate to torque?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

8. Relative Velocity

  • Taxonomy: Kinematics
  • Why Important: Understanding motion from different reference frames
  • Dependencies: Important for 2D motion and Doppler Effect
  • Suggested Question: "How do I calculate relative velocity between moving objects?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

9. Inclined Plane

  • Taxonomy: Dynamics
  • Why Important: Common problem type, requires component analysis
  • Dependencies: Applied in many force problems
  • Suggested Question: "How do I analyze forces on an inclined plane?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

10. Atwood Machine

  • Taxonomy: Dynamics
  • Why Important: Classic system for studying Newton's Laws
  • Dependencies: Common lab and problem scenario
  • Suggested Question: "What is an Atwood machine and how does it demonstrate Newton's Laws?"
  • Bloom's Level: Understand

11. Pulley Systems

  • Taxonomy: Dynamics/Energy
  • Why Important: Simple machines, mechanical advantage
  • Dependencies: Links dynamics to energy concepts
  • Suggested Question: "How do pulley systems provide mechanical advantage?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

12. Banked Curves

  • Taxonomy: Dynamics
  • Why Important: Real-world application of circular motion
  • Dependencies: Combines centripetal force with component analysis
  • Suggested Question: "How do banked curves allow cars to turn at higher speeds?"
  • Bloom's Level: Analyze

13. Energy Diagrams

  • Taxonomy: Energy
  • Why Important: Visual tool for understanding energy conservation
  • Dependencies: Used throughout energy and oscillation topics
  • Suggested Question: "How do I interpret and draw energy diagrams?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

14. Power

  • Taxonomy: Energy
  • Why Important: Rate of energy transfer, practical applications
  • Dependencies: Connects work and energy to time
  • Suggested Question: "What is power and how is it different from energy?"
  • Bloom's Level: Understand

15. Efficiency

  • Taxonomy: Energy
  • Why Important: Practical measure of machine performance
  • Dependencies: Important for simple machines and real applications
  • Suggested Question: "How do I calculate the efficiency of a machine?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

16. Simple Machines

  • Taxonomy: Energy
  • Why Important: Broad category with many applications
  • Dependencies: Includes levers, pulleys, inclined planes, etc.
  • Suggested Question: "What are the six types of simple machines and how do they work?"
  • Bloom's Level: Understand

17. Mechanical Advantage

  • Taxonomy: Energy
  • Why Important: Quantifies benefit of using machines
  • Dependencies: Applied to all simple machines
  • Suggested Question: "What is mechanical advantage and how is it calculated?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

18. 2D Collisions

  • Taxonomy: Momentum
  • Why Important: Extends collision analysis to two dimensions
  • Dependencies: Requires vector component analysis
  • Suggested Question: "How do I analyze collisions in two dimensions?"
  • Bloom's Level: Apply

19. Wave Properties

  • Taxonomy: Waves
  • Why Important: Foundation for all wave concepts
  • Dependencies: Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed
  • Suggested Question: "What are the fundamental properties that describe all waves?"
  • Bloom's Level: Remember

20. Wavelength

  • Taxonomy: Waves
  • Why Important: Key wave property, related to frequency and speed
  • Dependencies: Used in wave speed equation
  • Suggested Question: "What is wavelength and how does it relate to frequency?"
  • Bloom's Level: Understand

Medium Priority Gaps

These concepts have moderate centrality or are more specialized topics that may benefit from FAQ coverage.

Foundation Concepts (9 concepts)

  1. Unit Conversion - Converting between measurement systems
  2. Dimensional Analysis - Checking equation validity
  3. Error Analysis - Understanding measurement uncertainties
  4. Scientific Notation - Expressing very large/small numbers
  5. Trigonometry for Physics - Using trig functions in problem-solving
  6. Proportional Reasoning - Understanding direct/inverse relationships
  7. Vector Addition - Combining vectors graphically or analytically
  8. Vector Subtraction - Finding vector differences
  9. Significant Figures - Proper precision in calculations

Suggested Category: Technical Details Estimated Questions: 5-7

Kinematics Concepts (4 concepts)

  1. Uniform Motion - Motion at constant velocity
  2. Uniformly Accelerated Motion - Motion with constant acceleration
  3. Horizontal Projection - Special case of projectile motion
  4. Angled Projection - General projectile motion

Suggested Category: Technical Details or Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 3-4

Dynamics Concepts (5 concepts)

  1. Static Equilibrium - Objects at rest with balanced forces
  2. Dynamic Equilibrium - Objects moving with constant velocity
  3. Static Friction - Friction preventing motion
  4. Coefficient of Friction - Quantifying friction
  5. Normal Force - Perpendicular contact force

Suggested Category: Technical Details Estimated Questions: 3-4

Energy Concepts (5 concepts)

  1. Work by Constant Force - Basic work calculation
  2. Work by Variable Force - Integration for changing forces
  3. Conservative Forces - Path-independent work
  4. Non-conservative Forces - Path-dependent work, energy dissipation
  5. Mechanical Energy - Sum of kinetic and potential energy

Suggested Category: Technical Details or Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 3-4

Momentum Concepts (2 concepts)

  1. Center of Mass - Balance point of mass distribution
  2. Rocket Propulsion - Application of conservation of momentum

Suggested Category: Core Concepts or Advanced Topics Estimated Questions: 2

Rotation Concepts (4 concepts)

  1. Angular Displacement - Angle rotated about axis
  2. Angular Velocity - Rate of angular displacement change
  3. Angular Acceleration - Rate of angular velocity change
  4. Rotational Kinematics - Equations for rotational motion

Suggested Category: Technical Details Estimated Questions: 3-4

Oscillations Concepts (8 concepts)

  1. Amplitude - Maximum displacement in oscillation
  2. Period - Time for one complete cycle
  3. Frequency - Cycles per unit time
  4. Angular Frequency - 2π times frequency
  5. Spring Constant - Measure of spring stiffness
  6. Simple Pendulum - Idealized pendulum
  7. Physical Pendulum - Extended rigid body pendulum
  8. Damped Harmonic Motion - Oscillations with energy loss

Suggested Category: Technical Details or Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 5-6

Note: Oscillations is underrepresented in current FAQ (36% coverage), making these medium-high priority.

Waves Concepts (9 concepts)

  1. Transverse Waves - Perpendicular oscillation to propagation
  2. Longitudinal Waves - Parallel oscillation to propagation
  3. Wave Period - Time for one wavelength to pass
  4. Constructive Interference - Waves adding in phase
  5. Destructive Interference - Waves canceling out of phase
  6. Superposition Principle - Waves combine by adding displacements
  7. Standing Waves - Stationary interference pattern
  8. Nodes and Antinodes - Points of zero/maximum displacement
  9. Wave Reflection - Waves bouncing off boundaries

Suggested Category: Technical Details or Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 6-7

Sound Concepts (7 concepts)

  1. Speed of Sound - Wave speed in air (~343 m/s)
  2. Sound Intensity - Power per area
  3. Decibel Scale - Logarithmic loudness measure
  4. Pitch - Perceived frequency
  5. Loudness - Perceived amplitude
  6. Ultrasound - Sound above human hearing range
  7. Infrasound - Sound below human hearing range

Suggested Category: Technical Details Estimated Questions: 4-5

Note: Sound is significantly underrepresented (27% coverage), making these medium-high priority.

Light Concepts (2 concepts)

  1. Electromagnetic Spectrum - Full range of electromagnetic waves
  2. Visible Spectrum - Wavelengths humans can see

Suggested Category: Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 2

Optics Concepts (19 concepts)

  1. Law of Reflection - Angle in equals angle out
  2. Plane Mirrors - Flat reflecting surfaces
  3. Spherical Mirrors - Curved reflecting surfaces
  4. Concave Mirrors - Converging mirrors
  5. Convex Mirrors - Diverging mirrors
  6. Mirror Equation - Relating object/image distances
  7. Magnification - Ratio of image to object size
  8. Index of Refraction - Ratio of light speeds
  9. Critical Angle - Minimum angle for total internal reflection
  10. Convex Lenses - Converging lenses
  11. Concave Lenses - Diverging lenses
  12. Lens Equation - Relating distances for lenses
  13. Thin Lens Formula - Approximation for thin lenses
  14. Ray Diagrams - Graphical image location method
  15. Focal Length - Distance to focal point
  16. Real Images - Images that can be projected
  17. Virtual Images - Images that cannot be projected
  18. Prism - Refracting optical element
  19. Optical Diffraction - Light bending around obstacles

Suggested Category: Technical Details Estimated Questions: 12-15

Note: Optics is significantly underrepresented (34% coverage) and is a large taxonomy, making these medium-high priority.

Electricity Concepts (13 concepts)

  1. Positive Charge - Charge of protons
  2. Negative Charge - Charge of electrons
  3. Conservation of Charge - Charge cannot be created/destroyed
  4. Conductors - Materials allowing charge flow
  5. Insulators - Materials preventing charge flow
  6. Semiconductors - Materials with controllable conductivity
  7. Superconductors - Zero-resistance materials at low temperature
  8. Charging by Friction - Triboelectric effect
  9. Charging by Contact - Charge transfer by touching
  10. Charging by Induction - Charge redistribution without contact
  11. Grounding - Connecting to Earth to neutralize charge

Suggested Category: Technical Details or Core Concepts Estimated Questions: 8-10

Note: Electricity is significantly underrepresented (25% coverage), making these medium-high priority.

Low Priority Gaps

These are specialized or advanced concepts that are adequately covered in chapter content and have limited FAQ value.

Specialized Topics

  • Lever - Specific type of simple machine
  • Pulley as Machine - Pulley analyzed as machine
  • Inclined Plane as Machine - Inclined plane analyzed as machine
  • Perfectly Inelastic Collisions - Specific collision type
  • Rotational Kinetic Energy - Energy form
  • Rolling Motion - Combined rotation and translation
  • Forced Oscillations - Externally driven oscillations
  • Acoustic Resonance - Sound resonance phenomena
  • Beats - Interference of close frequencies
  • Harmonics - Integer multiples of fundamental frequency
  • Shock Waves - Supersonic disturbances
  • Color Addition - Combining colored lights
  • Color Subtraction - Filtering light
  • Young's Double Slit - Historic interference experiment
  • Single Slit Diffraction - Diffraction through single opening
  • Diffraction Grating - Multiple-slit interference
  • Polarization - Orientation of transverse wave oscillations
  • Electric Field Lines - Visual representation of fields
  • Field Strength - Electric field magnitude
  • Electric Potential Energy - Energy in electric field
  • Electric Potential - Potential energy per unit charge
  • Voltage - Potential difference

Total: 22 concepts

Assessment: These concepts are adequately explained in chapters and glossary. FAQ questions would largely duplicate existing content without adding significant value. Consider addressing only if specific student questions arise.

Summary Statistics

Priority Count Percentage of Gaps
High (Critical) 20 19%
Medium 63 60%
Low (Specialized) 22 21%
Total Gaps 105 100%

Recommendations

Phase 1: Address Critical Gaps (+20 questions)

Focus on the 20 high-priority concepts listed above. These are foundational, high-centrality concepts that students frequently ask about.

Estimated Work: - Time: 3-4 hours - New questions: 20 - Expected coverage increase: 47.5% → 57.5% - Expected quality score increase: 88 → 92

Phase 2: Selective Medium Priority (+15-20 questions)

Target underrepresented taxonomies: - Sound: Add 4-5 questions (current 27% → target 50%) - Oscillations: Add 5-6 questions (current 36% → target 50%) - Optics: Add 6-8 questions (current 34% → target 45%)

Estimated Work: - Time: 2-3 hours - New questions: 15-20 - Expected coverage increase: 57.5% → 67.5% - Expected quality score increase: 92 → 95

Phase 3: Responsive Additions (Ongoing)

Monitor student questions during course delivery. Add FAQ entries for: - Frequently asked questions not currently covered - Common misconceptions that emerge - Topics students find most challenging

Approach: Organic growth based on actual student needs

Conclusion

The current FAQ covers 47.5% of concepts with strong quality (88/100). Addressing the 20 high-priority gaps would raise coverage to 57.5% and quality to 92/100, providing excellent support for student learning. Medium-priority concepts should be addressed selectively based on taxonomy underrepresentation and student feedback.

Low-priority gaps do not require FAQ coverage as they are adequately addressed in chapter content and glossary. The strategic approach is to focus on high-centrality, frequently-questioned concepts rather than attempting comprehensive coverage of all 200 concepts.

Next Review: After Phase 1 implementation Update Frequency: Quarterly or as student needs emerge Maintenance: Track student questions to identify emerging gaps