Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics
Introductory undergraduate courses in classical physics stress a perspective that can be characterized as realist; from this perspective, all physical properties of a classical system can be simultaneously specified and thus determined at all future times. Such a perspective can be problematic for i...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Physical Society
2009-03-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research |
| Online Access: | http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.5.010106 |
| _version_ | 1819009167299444736 |
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| author | Charles Baily Noah D. Finkelstein |
| author_facet | Charles Baily Noah D. Finkelstein |
| author_sort | Charles Baily |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introductory undergraduate courses in classical physics stress a perspective that can be characterized as realist; from this perspective, all physical properties of a classical system can be simultaneously specified and thus determined at all future times. Such a perspective can be problematic for introductory quantum physics students, who must develop new perspectives in order to properly interpret what it means to have knowledge of quantum systems. We document this evolution in student thinking in part through pre- and post-instruction evaluations using the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey. We further characterize variations in student epistemic and ontological commitments by examining responses to two essay questions, coupled with responses to supplemental quantum attitude statements. We find that, after instruction in modern physics, many students are still exhibiting a realist perspective in contexts where a quantum-mechanical perspective is needed. We further find that this effect can be significantly influenced by instruction, where we observe variations for courses with differing learning goals. We also note that students generally do not employ either a realist or a quantum perspective in a consistent manner. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:52:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-383199739dbd41288d6673a8048f4408 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1554-9178 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T00:52:04Z |
| publishDate | 2009-03-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-383199739dbd41288d6673a8048f44082022-12-21T19:21:23ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research1554-91782009-03-0151Development of quantum perspectives in modern physicsCharles BailyNoah D. FinkelsteinIntroductory undergraduate courses in classical physics stress a perspective that can be characterized as realist; from this perspective, all physical properties of a classical system can be simultaneously specified and thus determined at all future times. Such a perspective can be problematic for introductory quantum physics students, who must develop new perspectives in order to properly interpret what it means to have knowledge of quantum systems. We document this evolution in student thinking in part through pre- and post-instruction evaluations using the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey. We further characterize variations in student epistemic and ontological commitments by examining responses to two essay questions, coupled with responses to supplemental quantum attitude statements. We find that, after instruction in modern physics, many students are still exhibiting a realist perspective in contexts where a quantum-mechanical perspective is needed. We further find that this effect can be significantly influenced by instruction, where we observe variations for courses with differing learning goals. We also note that students generally do not employ either a realist or a quantum perspective in a consistent manner.http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.5.010106 |
| spellingShingle | Charles Baily Noah D. Finkelstein Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research |
| title | Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| title_full | Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| title_fullStr | Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| title_short | Development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| title_sort | development of quantum perspectives in modern physics |
| url | http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.5.010106 |
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