Development of a Survey to Assess Conceptual Understanding of Quantum Mechanics among Moroccan Undergraduates
Khalid Ait bentaleb
,
Saddik Dachraoui
,
Taoufik Hassouni
,
El mehdi Alibrahmi
,
Elmahjoub Chakir
,
Aimad Belboukhari
We developed a Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Understanding Survey (QMCUS) in this study. The survey was conducted using a quantitative methodology. A m.
- Pub. date: October 15, 2022
- Pages: 2219-2243
- 240 Downloads
- 359 Views
- 2 Citations
We developed a Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Understanding Survey (QMCUS) in this study. The survey was conducted using a quantitative methodology. A multiple-choice survey of 35 questions was administered to 338 undergraduate students. Three experienced quantum mechanics instructors examined the validity of the survey. The reliability of our survey was measured using Cronbach's alpha, the Fergusson delta index, the discrimination index, and the point biserial correlation coefficient. These indices showed that the developed survey is reliable. The statistical analysis of the students' results using SPSS shows that the scores obtained by the students have a normal distribution, around the score of 7.14. The results of the t-test show that the students' scores are below the required threshold, which means that it is still difficult for the students to understand the concepts of quantum mechanics. The obtained results allow us to draw some conclusions. The students' difficulties in understanding the quantum concepts are due to the nature of these concepts; they are abstract and counterintuitive. In addition, the learners did not have frequent contact with the subatomic world, which led them to adopt misconceptions. Moreover, students find it difficult to imagine and conceptualize quantum concepts. Therefore, subatomic phenomena are still explained with classical paradigms. Another difficulty is the lack of prerequisites and the difficulties in using the mathematical formalism and its translation into Dirac notation.
Keywords: Conceptual understanding, learning difficulties, quantum mechanics, teaching/learning.
References
Ayene, M., Kriek, J., & Damtie, B. (2011). Wave-particle duality and uncertainty principle: Phenomenographic categories of description of tertiary physics students’ depictions. Physical Review Special Topics -Physics Education Research, 7(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/b6hqjx
Baily, C., &Finkelstein, N. D. (2015). Teaching quantum interpretations: Revisiting the goals and practices of introductory quantum physics courses. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 11(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/gctknn
Bao, L., & Redish, E. F. (2002). Understanding probabilistic interpretations of physical systems: A prerequisite to learning quantum physics. American Journal of Physics, 70(3), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1447541
Cataloglu, E. (2002). Development and validation of an achievement test in introductory quantum mechanics: The quantum mechanics visualization instrument (QMVI) [Doctoral dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University]. PennState University Libraries. https://bit.ly/3RNbLbq
Didiş Körhasan, N., & Miller, K. (2019). Students’ mental models of wave–particle duality. Canadian Journal of Physics, 98(3), 266-273. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjp-2019-0019
Ding, L., Chabay, R., Sherwood, B., & Beichner, R. (2006). Evaluating an electricity and magnetism assessment tool: Brief electricity and magnetism assessment. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/c3n8b7
Dutt, A. (2011). Making the transition from classical to quantum physics. Teaching Science, 57(4), 33–36. https://bit.ly/3Qux28H
Falk, J. (2004). Developing a quantum mechanics concept inventory [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Uppsala University.
Fischler, H., & Lichtfeldt, M. (1992). Modern physics and students’ conceptions. International Journal of Science Education, 14(2), 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069920140206
Gil, D., & Solbes, J. (1993). The introduction of modern physics: Overcoming a deformed vision of science, International Journal of Science Education, 15(3), 255-260. http://doi.org/10.1080/0950069930150303
Greca, I. M., & Freire, O., Jr. (2003). Does an emphasis on the concept of quantum states enhance students’ understanding of quantum mechanics? Science and Education, 12(5/6), 541–557. https://doi.org/fcvmpt
Hake, R. R. (1998). Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18809
Hestenes, D., Wells, M., & Swackhamer, G. (1992). Force concept inventory. The Physics Teacher, 30(3), 141–158. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2343497
Hubber, P. (2006). Year 12 students’ mental models of the nature of light. Research in Science Education, 36(4), 419–439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-006-9013-x
Ireson, G. (1999). A multivariate analysis of undergraduate physics students’ conceptions of quantum phenomena. European Journal of Physics, 20(3),193–199. https://doi.org/dkh899
Ireson, G. (2000). The quantum understanding of pre-university physics students. Physics Education, 35(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120/35/1/302
Jaynes, E. T. (1990). Probability in quantum theory. In W. H. Zurek (Ed.), Complexity, entropy, and the physics of information (pp. 381-403). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. https://bit.ly/3Az71Ad
Johnston, I. D., Crawford, K., &Fletcher, P. R. (1998). Student difficulties in learning quantum mechanics. International Journal of Science Education, 20(4), 427-446. https://doi.org/c7mth5
Kalkanis, G., Hadzidaki, P., & Stavrou, D. (2003). An instructional model for a radical conceptual change towards quantum mechanics concepts. Science Education, 87(2), 257-280. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.10033
Ke, J., Monk, M., & Duschl, R. (2005). Learning introductory quantum physics: Sensori-motor experiences and mental models. International Journal of Science Education, 27(13), 1571–1594. https://doi.org/ftbtwb
Krijtenburg-Lewerissa, K., Pol, H. J., Brinkman, A., & Van Joolingen, W.R. (2017). Insights into teaching quantum mechanics in secondary and lower undergraduate education. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 13(1),1-21. https://doi.org/gctkcm
Maloney, D. P., O’Kuma, T. L., Hieggelke, C. J., & Van Heuvelen, A. (2001). Surveying students’ conceptual knowledge of electricity and magnetism. American Journal of Physics, 69(S1), S12–S23. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1371296
Marshman, E., & Singh, C. (2019). Validation and administration of a conceptual survey on the formalism and postulates of quantum mechanics, Physical Review Physics Education Research, 15(2), (1-10). https://doi.org/gg7gbk
Marshman, E., & Singh, C. (2018). Investigating and improving student understanding of quantum mechanical observables and their corresponding operators in Dirac notation. European Journal of Physics, 39(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa8e73
Marshman, E.M., & Singh, C. (2015). Student difficulties with quantum states while translating state vectors in Dirac notation to wave functions in position and momentum representations. In A. Churukian, D. L. Jones & L. Ding (Eds.), Physics Education Research Conference 2015 (pp. 211-214). American Association of Physics Teachers.https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2015.pr.048
Mashhadi, A., & Woolnough, B. (1999). Insights into students’ understanding of quantum physics: Visualizing quantum entities. European Journal of Physics, 20(6), 511-516. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/20/6/317
McKagan, S. B., Perkins, K. K., & Wieman, C. E. (2008). Deeper look at student learning of quantum mechanics: The case of tunnelling. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 4(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/c43q28
McKagan, S. B., Perkins, K. K., & Wieman, C. E. (2010). Design and validation of the quantum mechanics conceptual survey. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 6(2), 1-17.https://doi.org/bfpb2c
Müller, R., & Wiesner, H. (2002). Include interpretation in introductory quantum mechanics courses. American Journal of Physics, 70(9), 887–887. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1492808
Oldache, M., & Khiari, C. (2010). Problèmes didactiques liés à l'enseignement de la physique moderne à l'université [Didactic problems related to the teaching of modern physics at the university]. Revue Africaine de Didactique des Sciences et des Mathématiques, 5.
Oldache, M., & Khiari, C. (2015). Représentations d’apprenants relatives aux concepts quantiques, [Learners' representations of quantum concepts]. Educational Journal of the University of Patras UNESCO Chair, 2(1), 184-197. https://doi.org/10.26220/une.2212
Oldache, M., & Khiari, C. (2016). Ce que nous apprend l’histoire des sciences à propos du concept de fonction d’onde et impact sur l’enseignement de la physique quantique. [What the history of science tells us about the concept of wave function and its impact on the teaching of quantum physics]. Educational Journal of the University of Patras UNESCO Chair, 3(2), 287-296. https://doi.org/10.26220/une.2756
Olsen, R. V. (2002). Introducing quantum mechanics in the upper secondary school: A study in Norway. International Journal of Science Education, 24(6), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690110073982
Petri, J., & Niedderer, H. (1998). A learning pathway in high-school level quantum atomic physics. International Journal of Science Education, 20(9), 1075-1088. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069980200905
Rimoldini, L., & Singh, C. (2005). Student understanding of rotational and rolling motion concepts. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research,1(1) 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.1.010102
Sadaghiani, H. R. (2005). Conceptual and mathematical barriers to students learning quantum mechanics [Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations (ETD) Center. https://bit.ly/3qtLRhj
Sadaghiani, H.R. (2015). Quantum mechanics concept assessment: Development and validation study. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 11(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/jbxg
Selçuk, G. S., & Çalışkan, S. (2009). Student understanding of some quantum physical concepts. Latin-American Journal of Physics Education, 3(2), 202-206. https://bit.ly/3qroBAo
Singh, C. (2001). Student understanding of quantum mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 69(8), 885-885. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1365404
Singh, C. (2008a). Interactive learning tutorials on quantum mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 76(4), 400–405. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2837812
Singh, C. (2008b). Student understanding of quantum mechanics at the beginning of graduate instruction. American Journal of Physics, 76(3), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2825387
Singh, C., Belloni, M., & Christian, W. (2006). Improving students understanding of quantum mechanics. Physics Today 59(8), 43-49. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2349732
Singh, C., &Marshman, E. (2015). Review of student difficulties in upper-level quantum mechanics. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 11(2),1-24. https://doi.org/gctkh5
Styer, D. F. (1996). Common misconceptions regarding quantum mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 64, 31-34. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18480
Thornton, R. K., & Sokoloff, D. R. (1998). Assessing student learning of newton’s laws: The force and motion conceptual evaluation and the evaluation of active learning laboratory and lecture curricula. American Journal of Physics, 66(4), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18863
Tsaparlis, G., & Papaphotis, G. (2009). High‐school students' conceptual difficulties and attempts at conceptual change: The case of basic quantum chemical concepts. International Journal of Science Education, 31(7),895–930. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690801891908
Vokos, S., Shaffer, P. S., Ambrose, B. S., & McDermott, L. C. (2000). Student understanding of the wave nature of matter: Diffraction and interference of particles. American Journal of Physics, 68(S1), S42–S51. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19519
Wittmann, M. C., Morgan, J. T., &Bao, L. (2005). Addressing student models of energy loss in quantum tunneling. European Journal of Physics, 26(6), 939–950. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/26/6/001
Wuttiprom, S., Sharma, M. D., Johnston, I. D., Chitaree, R., & Soankwan, C. (2009). Development and use of a conceptual survey in introductory quantum physics. International Journal of Science Education, 31(5), 631–654. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690701747226
Yang, C. D. (2006). Quantum Hamilton mechanics: Hamilton equations of quantum motion, origin of quantum operators, and proof of quantization axiom. Annals of Physics, 321(12), 2876–2926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2006.07.008
Zhu, G., & Singh, C. (2011). Improving students’ understanding of quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment. American Journal of Physics, 79, 499-507. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3546093
Zhu, G., & Singh, C. (2012a). Improving students’ understanding of quantum measurement. I. Investigation of difficulties. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 8(1), 010117(1-8). https://doi.org/gctkw6
Zhu, G., & Singh, C. (2012b). Surveying students’ understanding of quantum mechanics in one spatial dimension. American Journal of Physics, 80(3), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3677653