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Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics
written by Chandralekha Singh, Mario Belloni, and Wolfgang Christian
Richard Feynman once famously stated that nobody understands quantum mechanics. He was, of course, referring to the many strange, unintuitive foundational aspects of quantum theory such as its inherent indeterminism and state reduction during measurement according to the Copenhagen interpretation. But despite its underlying fundamental mysteries, the theory has remained a cornerstone of modern physics. Most physicists, as students, are introduced to quantum mechanics in a modern-physics course, take quantum mechanics as advanced undergraduates, and then take it again in their first year of graduate school. One might think that after all this instruction, students would have become certified quantum mechanics, able to solve the Schrödinger equation, manipulate Dirac bras and kets, calculate expectation values, and, most importantly, interpret their results in terms of real or thought experiments. That sort of functional understanding of quantum mechanics is quite distinct from the foundational issues alluded to by Feynman.
Physics Today: Volume 59, Issue 8, Pages 43-49
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
Education Practices
- Active Learning
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Material Design
- Technology
= Multimedia
Quantum Physics
- Bound State Systems
- Graduate/Professional
- Upper Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Article
Categories Intended Users Ratings
- Pedagogy
- Educators
- Researchers
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Formats:
application/pdf
non-digital
Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2349732
Access Rights:
Limited free access and
Available by subscription and
Available for purchase
Restriction:
© 2006 American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.2349732
PACSs:
01.40.-d
01.40.gb
01.50.ht
Keywords:
OSP, Open SOurce Physics, Physics Today, QuILT, physics education research, quantum mechanics, simulations
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 22, 2008 by Mario Belloni
Record Updated:
October 23, 2012 by Bruce Mason
Last Update
when Cataloged:
August 1, 2006
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Record Link
AIP Format
C. Singh, M. Belloni, and W. Christian, , Phys. Today 59 (8), 43 (2006), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558).
AJP/PRST-PER
C. Singh, M. Belloni, and W. Christian, Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics, Phys. Today 59 (8), 43 (2006), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558>.
APA Format
Singh, C., Belloni, M., & Christian, W. (2006, August 1). Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Phys. Today, 59(8), 43-49. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558
Chicago Format
Singh, C, M. Belloni, and W. Christian. "Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics." Phys. Today. 59, no. 8, (August 1, 2006): 43-49, https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558 (accessed 3 October 2024).
MLA Format
Singh, Chandralekha, Mario Belloni, and Wolfgang Christian. "Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics." Phys. Today 59.8 (2006): 43-49. 3 Oct. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Chandralekha Singh and Mario Belloni and Wolfgang Christian", Title = {Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics}, Journal = {Phys. Today}, Volume = {59}, Number = {8}, Pages = {43-49}, Month = {August}, Year = {2006} }
Refer Export Format

%A Chandralekha Singh %A Mario Belloni %A Wolfgang Christian %T Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics %J Phys. Today %V 59 %N 8 %D August 1, 2006 %P 43-49 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Singh, Chandralekha %A Belloni, Mario %A Christian, Wolfgang %D August 1, 2006 %T Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Mechanics %J Phys. Today %V 59 %N 8 %P 43-49 %8 August 1, 2006 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7494&DocID=558


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