PERC 2009 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Conceptual Difficulties with Binomial Distributions in Statistical Physics |
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| Abstract: | As part of our continuing research on the teaching and learning of concepts in upper-division thermal physics at the University of Maine, we report on student responses to questions about binomial distributions and the changes in those distributions with an increasing number of trials (N). We have administered questions before and after traditional instruction and guided-inquiry activities that probe understanding of multiplicities, probabilities, and their distributions over N, covering more than 6 orders of magnitude in N. Preliminary results indicate some positive learning outcomes, along with some persistent problems; e.g., confusion over the dependence of macrostate probability on multiplicity, and whether the probability of a single (N/2) macrostate emerges at large N to dominate the distribution, or not. Results are discussed in the context of the term "overwhelming probability," commonly used to describe the connections with equilibrium thermodynamic (very large N) systems. Supported in part by NSF Grants #PHY-0406764, DRL-0633951 and DUE-0817282. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Donald B. Mountcastle University of Maine Department of Physics and Astronomy 5709 Bennett Hall Orono, ME 04469-5709 Phone: 207-581-1039 Fax: 207-581-3410 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
John R. Thompson and Trevor I. Smith University of Maine Department of Physics and Astronomy 5709 Bennett Hall Orono, Maine 04469-5709 phone: 207-581-1039 fax: 207-581-3410 |
