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American Journal of Physics
written by Matthew J. Cochran and Paula R. L. Heron
We report on an investigation of student ability to apply the second law of thermodynamics to cyclic devices such as heat engines and refrigerators. Students enrolled in courses ranging from algebra-based introductory physics to a junior-level thermodynamics course were asked if certain specified processes could occur. Their responses revealed several conceptual difficulties, including the failure to recognize the relevance of the second law to various problems. These findings informed the development of two tutorials to supplement instruction in standard undergraduate courses. Student performance on examination questions indicates that both tutorials can help improve understanding.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 74, Issue 8, Pages 734-741
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Instructional Material Design
= Tutorial
Education - Basic Research
- Alternative Conceptions
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
Thermo & Stat Mech
- Second and Third Law
= Heat Engines
= Refrigerators
- Lower Undergraduate
- Upper Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
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© 2006 American Journal of Physics
DOI:
10.1119/1.2198889
Keywords:
supplemental instruction, thermodynamics, tutorial development
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 25, 2007 by Shawn Weatherford
Record Updated:
March 11, 2010 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
August 1, 2006
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Record Link
AIP Format
M. Cochran and P. Heron, , Am. J. Phys. 74 (8), 734 (2006), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Cochran and P. Heron, Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics, Am. J. Phys. 74 (8), 734 (2006), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889>.
APA Format
Cochran, M., & Heron, P. (2006, August 1). Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics. Am. J. Phys., 74(8), 734-741. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889
Chicago Format
Cochran, Matthew, and Paula R. L. Heron. "Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics." Am. J. Phys. 74, no. 8, (August 1, 2006): 734-741, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889 (accessed 14 December 2024).
MLA Format
Cochran, Matthew, and Paula R. L. Heron. "Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics." Am. J. Phys. 74.8 (2006): 734-741. 14 Dec. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Matthew Cochran and Paula R. L. Heron", Title = {Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {74}, Number = {8}, Pages = {734-741}, Month = {August}, Year = {2006} }
Refer Export Format

%A Matthew Cochran %A Paula R. L. Heron %T Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics %J Am. J. Phys. %V 74 %N 8 %D August 1, 2006 %P 734-741 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Cochran, Matthew %A Heron, Paula R. L. %D August 1, 2006 %T Development and assessment of research-based tutorials on heat engines and the second law of thermodynamics %J Am. J. Phys. %V 74 %N 8 %P 734-741 %8 August 1, 2006 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2198889


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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.

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