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American Journal of Physics
written by Bradley S. Ambrose, Paula R. L. Heron, Stamatis Vokos, and Lillian C. McDermott
During an investigation of student understanding of physical optics, we found that some serious difficulties that students have with this topic may be due, at least in part, to a lack of understanding of the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave. We therefore decided to look carefully at how students interpret the diagrammatic and mathematical formalism commonly used to represent a plane EM wave. The results of this research have guided the development and modification of tutorials that address some of the difficulties that we identified. These instructional materials are an example of how, within a relatively short time allotment, a curriculum developed on the basis of research can help students relate the concepts and formal representations associated with EM waves to physical phenomena.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 67, Issue 10, Pages 891-898
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Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
Education Practices
- Instructional Material Design
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
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= Lesson/Lesson Plan
- Reference Material
= Research study
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Access Rights:
Available by subscription
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© 1999 American Journal of Physics
Additional information is available.
DOI:
10.1119/1.19144
Keywords:
Higher Education, Instructional Effectiveness, Instructional Materials, Light, Misconceptions, Optics, Physics, Science Curriculum, Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts, Tutorial Programs, diffraction, interference, polarization
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 13, 2005 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
November 3, 2005 by Vince Kuo
Last Update
when Cataloged:
October 1, 1999
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AIP Format
B. Ambrose, P. Heron, S. Vokos, and L. McDermott, , Am. J. Phys. 67 (10), 891 (1999), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Ambrose, P. Heron, S. Vokos, and L. McDermott, Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena, Am. J. Phys. 67 (10), 891 (1999), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144>.
APA Format
Ambrose, B., Heron, P., Vokos, S., & McDermott, L. (1999, October 1). Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena. Am. J. Phys., 67(10), 891-898. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144
Chicago Format
Ambrose, B, P. Heron, S. Vokos, and L. McDermott. "Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena." Am. J. Phys. 67, no. 10, (October 1, 1999): 891-898, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144 (accessed 4 November 2024).
MLA Format
Ambrose, Bradley S., Paula R. L. Heron, Stamatis Vokos, and Lillian C. McDermott. "Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena." Am. J. Phys. 67.10 (1999): 891-898. 4 Nov. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Bradley S. Ambrose and Paula R. L. Heron and Stamatis Vokos and Lillian C. McDermott", Title = {Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {67}, Number = {10}, Pages = {891-898}, Month = {October}, Year = {1999} }
Refer Export Format

%A Bradley S. Ambrose %A Paula R. L. Heron %A Stamatis Vokos %A Lillian C. McDermott %T Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena %J Am. J. Phys. %V 67 %N 10 %D October 1, 1999 %P 891-898 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Ambrose, Bradley S. %A Heron, Paula R. L. %A Vokos, Stamatis %A McDermott, Lillian C. %D October 1, 1999 %T Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena %J Am. J. Phys. %V 67 %N 10 %P 891-898 %8 October 1, 1999 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144


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