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American Journal of Physics
written by Bradley S. Ambrose, Richard N. Steinberg, Peter S. Shaffer, and Lillian C. McDermott
Results from an investigation of student understanding of physical optics indicate that university students who have studied this topic at the introductory level and beyond often cannot account for the pattern produced on a screen when light is incident on a single or double slit. Many do not know whether to apply geometrical or physical optics to a given situation and may inappropriately combine elements of both. Some specific difficulties that were identified for single and double slits proved to be sufficiently serious to preclude students from acquiring even a qualitative understanding of the wave model for light. In addition, we found that students in advanced courses often had mistaken beliefs about photons, which they incorporated into their interpretation to the wave model for matter. A major objective of this investigation was to build a research base for the design of a curriculum to help students develop a functional understanding of introductory optics.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 67, Issue 2, Pages 146-155
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© 1999 American Journal of Physics
Additional information is available.
DOI:
10.1119/1.19210
Keywords:
light diffraction, light interference, physical optics, physical optics, physical theory of diffraction, student difficulties, student understanding, teaching
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 13, 2005 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
September 27, 2007 by Rebecca Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
February 1, 1999
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AIP Format
B. Ambrose, R. Steinberg, P. Shaffer, and L. McDermott, , Am. J. Phys. 67 (2), 146 (1999), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Ambrose, R. Steinberg, P. Shaffer, and L. McDermott, An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference, Am. J. Phys. 67 (2), 146 (1999), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210>.
APA Format
Ambrose, B., Steinberg, R., Shaffer, P., & McDermott, L. (1999, February 1). An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference. Am. J. Phys., 67(2), 146-155. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210
Chicago Format
Ambrose, B, R. Steinberg, P. Shaffer, and L. McDermott. "An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference." Am. J. Phys. 67, no. 2, (February 1, 1999): 146-155, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210 (accessed 2 November 2024).
MLA Format
Ambrose, Bradley S., Richard Steinberg, Peter Shaffer, and Lillian C. McDermott. "An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference." Am. J. Phys. 67.2 (1999): 146-155. 2 Nov. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Bradley S. Ambrose and Richard Steinberg and Peter Shaffer and Lillian C. McDermott", Title = {An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {67}, Number = {2}, Pages = {146-155}, Month = {February}, Year = {1999} }
Refer Export Format

%A Bradley S. Ambrose %A Richard Steinberg %A Peter Shaffer %A Lillian C. McDermott %T An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference %J Am. J. Phys. %V 67 %N 2 %D February 1, 1999 %P 146-155 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Ambrose, Bradley S. %A Steinberg, Richard %A Shaffer, Peter %A McDermott, Lillian C. %D February 1, 1999 %T An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference %J Am. J. Phys. %V 67 %N 2 %P 146-155 %8 February 1, 1999 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19210


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