PERC 2018 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Expert reasoning about independent and dependent variables in thermodynamics |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Thermodynamic potentials (or free energies) are different energies of the same system that use different sets of independent variables. The flexibility to consider one system in multiple ways is powerful, but deciding which variables to treat as independent–and therefore, which thermodynamic potential to use–is challenging for students. As part of a larger study investigating student reasoning about independent variables in thermodynamics, we interviewed five thermodynamics experts to learn how they make decisions about independent variables for selecting a thermodynamic potential. This poster outlines the variety of approaches these experts used to determine what variables were independent in a given situation. In particular, we examine discrepancies in use and understanding of language among experts. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session III |
| Poster Number: | C89 |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Michael Vignal Oregon State University 301 Weniger Hall Corvallis, OR 97331 Phone: 2535796293 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Elizabeth Gire, Oregon State University |
