PERC 2008 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Examples of Student Geometric Reasoning in Upper-Division E&M Problems |
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| Abstract: | Students use a variety of problem-solving strategies involving geometric reasoning as they solve upper-division E&M problems in Oregon State University's Paradigms in physics courses. Seven classroom cameras were used to capture six groups of three students each as they solved a variety of electrostatic and magnetostatic problems. We look at two examples of student problem solving to illustrate the types of things students find challenging and the types of strategies they employ. In one example, students struggled with how to use integration as "chopping and adding" to find the electric potential in all space due to a static ring of charge. A second example shows interesting issues students address while finding the current for a spinning ring of charge Q, radius R, and period T. An analysis of classroom video shows some of the wrestling, sense making, geometric reasoning, and problem-solving strategies these groups used to eventually make fruitful progress. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Leonard Cerny Oregon State University 1845 NW 14th St Corvallis, OR 97330 Phone: 5417580561 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Elizabeth Gire, Corinne Manogue |
