Conference Proceedings Detail Page
Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function
The Dirac delta function is a standard mathematical tool used in multiple topical areas in the undergraduate physics curriculum. While Dirac delta functions are usually introduced in order to simplify a problem mathematically, students often struggle to manipulate and interpret them. To better understand student difficulties with the delta function at the upper-division level, we examined responses to traditional exam questions and conducted think-aloud interviews. Our analysis was guided by an analytical framework that focuses on how students activate, construct, execute, and reflect on the Dirac delta function in physics. Here, we focus on student difficulties using the delta function to express charge distributions in the context of junior-level electrostatics. Challenges included: invoking the delta function spontaneously, constructing two- and three-dimensional delta functions, integrating novel delta function expressions, and recognizing that the delta function can have units.
Physics Education Research Conference 2014
Part of the PER Conference series Minneapolis, MN: July 30-31, 2014 Pages 271-274
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
Record Link
<a href="https://www.per-central.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=13504">Wilcox, Bethany, and Steven Pollock. "Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, July 30-31, 2014.</a>
AIP Format
B. Wilcox and S. Pollock, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Wilcox and S. Pollock, Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099>.
APA Format
Wilcox, B., & Pollock, S. (2014, July 30-31). Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN. Retrieved October 4, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099
Chicago Format
Wilcox, Bethany, and Steven Pollock. "Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, July 30-31, 2014. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099 (accessed 4 October 2024).
MLA Format
Wilcox, Bethany, and Steven Pollock. "Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function." Physics Education Research Conference 2014. Minneapolis, MN: 2014. 271-274 of PER Conference. 4 Oct. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{
Author = "Bethany Wilcox and Steven Pollock",
Title = {Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2014},
Pages = {271-274},
Address = {Minneapolis, MN},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {July 30-31},
Year = {2014}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Bethany Wilcox %A Steven Pollock %T Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function %S PER Conference %D July 30-31 2014 %P 271-274 %C Minneapolis, MN %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %O July 30-31 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Wilcox, Bethany %A Pollock, Steven %D July 30-31 2014 %T Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function %B Physics Education Research Conference 2014 %C Minneapolis, MN %P 271-274 %S PER Conference %8 July 30-31 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=13504&DocID=4099 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The AJP/PRST-PER presented is based on the AIP Style with the addition of journal article titles and conference proceeding article titles. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. Student Difficulties with the Dirac Delta Function:Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
ContributeRelated MaterialsSimilar Materials |