Year: 2014
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Quantum mechanics is challenging even for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.Dirac notation is a convenient notation used extensively in quantum mechanics.We have been investigating the difficulties that the advanced undergraduate and graduate students have with Dirac notation.We administered written free response and multiple-choice questions to students and also conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 23 students using a think-aloud protocol to obtain a better understanding of the rationale behind their responses.We find that many students struggle with Dirac notation and they are not consistent in using this notation across various questions in a given test.In particular, whether they answer questions involving Dirac notation correctly or not is context dependent.
Authors: Chandralekha Singh, Emily Marshman
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2000689010