Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions
written by
Paul J. Emigh, Gina Passante, and Peter S. Shaffer
As part of a broad investigation of student understanding in physics, we have examined student ability with superposition throughout introductory and upper-division courses in physics. This research has focused on examining student ability to add and subtract vector quantities and the wave functions associated with quantum physics. We present results from a series of research tasks designed to probe student understanding of superposition in each of these contexts at various points in undergraduate instruction. In addition, we describe and discuss certain patterns in student reasoning that have been identified across the different tasks, contexts, and courses.
Physics Education Research Conference 2016
Part of the PER Conference series
Sacramento, CA: July 20-21, 2016
Pages 112-115
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/quantum/items/detail.cfm?ID=14208">Emigh, P, G. Passante, and P. Shaffer. "Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, July 20-21, 2016.</a>
P. Emigh, G. Passante, and P. Shaffer, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560).
P. Emigh, G. Passante, and P. Shaffer, Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560>.
Emigh, P., Passante, G., & Shaffer, P. (2016, July 20-21). Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560
Emigh, P, G. Passante, and P. Shaffer. "Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, July 20-21, 2016. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560 (accessed 20 April 2025).
Emigh, Paul, Gina Passante, and Peter Shaffer. "Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions." Physics Education Research Conference 2016. Sacramento, CA: 2016. 112-115 of PER Conference. 20 Apr. 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560>.
%A Paul Emigh %A Gina Passante %A Peter Shaffer %T Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions %S PER Conference %D July 20-21 2016 %P 112-115 %C Sacramento, CA %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2016 %O July 20-21 %O application/pdf
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Emigh, Paul %A Passante, Gina %A Shaffer, Peter %D July 20-21 2016 %T Student Understanding of Superposition: Vectors and Wave Functions %B Physics Education Research Conference 2016 %C Sacramento, CA %P 112-115 %S PER Conference %8 July 20-21 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14208&DocID=4560
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