PERC 2020 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Student Use of Dirac Notation to Express Probability Concepts in Quantum Mechanics |
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| Abstract: | As part of an effort to examine student understanding and use of mathematical representations in quantum mechanics, clinical interviews were conducted and online surveys were administered to students in an upper-division quantum mechanics course. In one interview task, developed to investigate student understanding of representations for probability concepts, students generated expressions in Dirac notation consistent with quantum mechanical formalism, with a number describing their expressions using geometric, vector-like ideas and concepts. Student responses to a survey intended to probe student understanding of Dirac notation inner products are also discussed, as similar vector-like reasoning was found here as well. The beginnings of a symbolic forms analysis of both data sources is discussed, and some preliminary symbol templates used for Dirac notation are proposed. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Session Time: | Poster Session III |
| Poster Number: | 3.K3 |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
William Riihiluoma University of Maine Orono, ME 04469 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
John R. Thompson University of Maine |
