Applying a symbolic forms lens to probability expressions in upper-division quantum mechanics
Published: 2022
Publication Name: 2022 PERC Proceedings
Publication URL: https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2022.pr.Riihiluoma
Abstract:
As part of an effort to examine student understanding of expressions for probability in an upper-division spins-first quantum mechanics (QM) context, clinical think-aloud interviews were conducted with students following relevant instruction. Students were given various tasks to showcase their conceptual understanding of the mathematics and physics underpinning these expressions. The symbolic forms framework was used as a lens through which to analyze their understanding. Various symbol templates and conceptual schemata were identified, in Dirac and function notations, with multiple schemata paired with different templates. The overlapping linking suggests that defining strict template-schema pairs may not be feasible or productive for studying student interpretations of expressions for probability in upper-division QM courses.
Riihiluoma, W., Topdemir, Z., & Thompson, J. R. (2022). Applying a symbolic forms lens to probability expressions in upper-division quantum mechanics. In Q. X. Ryan, D. Jones, & B. W. Frank (Eds.), 2022 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings (pp. 383–388). American Association of Physics Teachers. https://www.per-central.org/items/PERC.cfm?Y=2022 (full text available at https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2022.pr.Riihiluoma)