PERC 2008 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Student Understanding of Quantum Measurement and Uncertainty |
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| Abstract: | Introductory courses in classical physics appear to be promoting in students a perspective we are calling local realism, where, for example, it is assumed that a particle's position and momentum have simultaneous reality – both physical quantities can be described with well-defined values at all times. Such a perspective can be problematic for introductory quantum physics students, who must develop new epistemic and ontological resources in order to properly interpret what it means to have knowledge of quantum observables. We document this evolution in student thinking in part through pre/post-instruction evaluations using the CLASS survey.[1] We further characterize variations in student epistemic and ontological commitments by examining responses to coupled essay questions and quantum attitudes statements. We find that, despite performance level in the course, many students are still exhibiting a realist perspective in some quantum contexts. We also find that this effect can be significantly influenced by instruction, where we observe variations for courses with differing learning goals. [1] Adams, et al. "The design and validation of the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey," PERC Proceedings 2004. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Charles Baily University of Colorado, Boulder/Department of Physics 2000 Colorado Ave Boulder, CO 80309 Phone: (303) 817-3126 Fax: (303) 492-3352 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Noah Finkelstein University of Colorado, Boulder Department of Physics UCB 390 Boulder, CO 80309-0309 (303) 735-6082 |
