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Physics Education Research Conference (PERC)

Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions

Paul J. Emigh, Gina Passante, Peter S. Shaffer

Published Dec 29, 2016• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

As part of a broad investigation of student understanding in physics, we have examined student ability with superposition throughout introductory and upper-division courses in physics.This research has focused on examining student ability to add and subtract vector quantities and the wave functions associated with quantum physics.We present results from a series of research tasks designed to probe student understanding of superposition in each of these contexts at various points in undergraduate instruction.In addition, we describe and discuss certain patterns in student reasoning that have been identified across the different tasks, contexts, and courses.

DOI
10.1119/perc.2016.pr.023

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