Appendix 11: Interview Schedule used in PSTS
Replication Interview
The Jumping Bug
The picture shows a toy ‘jumping bug’. The person compresses the spring so that the
suction cups stick together and places the bug on the table. After a short time the suction
cups come apart, releasing the spring and the bug pops up into the air and then falls back
onto the table.
Tell me about energy in this situation (focus on the bug)
1. When the bug’s spring is compressed, but before it ‘pops’ up, the toy has energy.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )
2. The spring’s energy is a hidden force within it.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )
3. The bug has no energy when it’s moving upwards.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )
4. At the top of the flight, when the bug is moving neither up nor down, it has no energy.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )
5. If you discount air resistance, the bug’s energy remains the same throughout its flight.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )
6. The bug has no energy when it’s moving downwards.
true ( ) false ( ) don’t understand ( ) not sure ( )