Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states
Quantum states have complex probability amplitudes that are sometimes represented by positive real numbers multiplied by complex exponentials. Although the overall phase of a superposition state does not affect the probabilities, the relative phases between the component basis states can have measurable effects. A thorough grasp of relative phase is needed for students to understand various key ideas in quantum mechanics, including quantum interference and time dependence. We present preliminary results from an investigation into student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases that was conducted in sophomore- and junior-level quantum mechanics courses at the University of Washington (UW). The findings suggest that many students do not recognize that relative phases have measureable effects and tend to overlook the important role that complex numbers play in quantum mechanics.
Physics Education Research Conference 2017
Part of the PER Conference series Cincinnati, OH: July 26-27, 2017 Pages 420-423
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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=14659">Wan, T, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017.</a>
AIP Format
T. Wan, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Wan, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer, Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836>.
APA Format
Wan, T., Emigh, P., & Shaffer, P. (2017, July 26-27). Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836
Chicago Format
Wan, T, P. Emigh, and P. Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, July 26-27, 2017. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836 (accessed 6 November 2024).
MLA Format
Wan, Tong, Paul Emigh, and Peter Shaffer. "Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states." Physics Education Research Conference 2017. Cincinnati, OH: 2017. 420-423 of PER Conference. 6 Nov. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{
Author = "Tong Wan and Paul Emigh and Peter Shaffer",
Title = {Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states},
BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2017},
Pages = {420-423},
Address = {Cincinnati, OH},
Series = {PER Conference},
Month = {July 26-27},
Year = {2017}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Tong Wan %A Paul Emigh %A Peter Shaffer %T Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states %S PER Conference %D July 26-27 2017 %P 420-423 %C Cincinnati, OH %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %O July 26-27 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Wan, Tong %A Emigh, Paul %A Shaffer, Peter %D July 26-27 2017 %T Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states %B Physics Education Research Conference 2017 %C Cincinnati, OH %P 420-423 %S PER Conference %8 July 26-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14659&DocID=4836 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. Student understanding of the measurable effects of relative phases in superposition states:Know of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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