journal article
Oct 01, 1999
Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena
American Journal of Physics
Vol. 67
No. 10
pp. 891-898
·
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
Abstract
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.
Topics
No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →
References
24
[1]
[2]
[3]
"An investigation of student understanding of single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference" Am. J. Phys. (1999) 10.1119/1.19210
[4]
[5]
"Student difficulties in understanding image formation by a plane mirror" Phys. Teach. (1986) 10.1119/1.2342096
[6]
"An investigation of student understanding of the real image formed by a converging lens or concave mirror" Am. J. Phys. (1987) 10.1119/1.15254
[7]
"A conceptual approach to teaching kinematics" Am. J. Phys. (1987) 10.1119/1.15122
[8]
"Student difficulties in connecting graphs and physics: Examples from kinematics" Am. J. Phys. (1987) 10.1119/1.15104
[9]
[10]
"Research as a guide for teaching introductory mechanics: An illustration in the context of the Atwood’s machine" Am. J. Phys. (1994) 10.1119/1.17740
[11]
"The challenge of matching learning assessments to teaching goals: An example from the work-energy and impulse-momentum theorems" Am. J. Phys. (1998) 10.1119/1.18836
[12]
"Development of a computer-based tutorial on the photoelectric effect" Am. J. Phys. (1996) 10.1119/1.18360
[13]
"Fraunhofer diffraction of visible light by a narrow slit" Am. J. Phys. (1994) 10.1119/1.17539
[14]
"Effect of light polarization on the diffraction pattern of small wires" Am. J. Phys. (1985) 10.1119/1.14319
[15]
"Development and assessment of a research-based tutorial on light and shadow" Am. J. Phys. (1998) 10.1119/1.18988
[16]
"Bridging the gap between teaching and learning in geometrical optics: The role of research" Opt. Photonics News (1998) 10.1364/opn.9.9.000030
[17]
[18]
"Confusion by representation: On students’ comprehension of the electric field concept" Am. J. Phys. (1993) 10.1119/1.17265
[19]
[20]
[21]
"Making sense of how students make sense of mechanical waves" Phys. Teach. (1999) 10.1119/1.880142
[22]
[23]
[24]
Metrics
74
Citations
24
References
Details
- Published
- Oct 01, 1999
- Vol/Issue
- 67(10)
- Pages
- 891-898
Authors
Cite This Article
Bradley S. Ambrose, Paula R. L. Heron, Stamatis Vokos, et al. (1999). Student understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave: Relating the formalism to physical phenomena. American Journal of Physics, 67(10), 891-898. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19144
Related
You May Also Like
Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses
Richard R. Hake · 1998
3,133 citations
Wormholes in spacetime and their use for interstellar travel: A tool for teaching general relativity
Michael S. Morris, Kip S. Thorne · 1988
2,470 citations