written by Rhett J. Allain and Robert J. Beichner

This project aims to investigate a possible underlying cause of student difficulties relating change in electric potential to electric fields. A likely source of difficulties is the lack of students' understanding of the general concept of rate of change (both rate of change in time and in distance). To investigate this link, a diagnostic instrument was created that probed students' understanding of rate of change concepts and electric potential concepts. This paper will report on the creation of the diagnostic instrument and results from student responses.

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Published September 1, 2005
Last Modified July 8, 2013

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