Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006aas...20918801m&link_type=abstract
2007 AAS/AAPT Joint Meeting, American Astronomical Society Meeting 209, #188.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society,
Physics
Scientific paper
Understanding the photoelectric effect is a crucial step in understanding the particle nature of light, one of the foundations of quantum mechanics. The photoelectric effect is a powerful tool to help students build an understanding of the photon model of light, and to probe their understanding of the photon model. This topic, which may seem straightforward to physics professors, is treated only superficially in many courses in modern physics and quantum mechanics. However, research shows that students have serious difficulties understanding even the most basic aspects of the photoelectric effect, such as the experimental set-up, experimental results, and implications about the nature of light [1]. As part of a reformed modern physics course for engineering majors [2], we have created a research-based instructional unit on the photoelectric effect. This unit includes an interactive computer simulation [3], interactive lectures with peer instruction, and conceptual homework problems. Using common exam questions, we have found that our instruction leads to better student understanding than either traditional instruction or previous reformed instruction. [4]
1. R. N. Steinberg, G. E. Oberem, and L. C. McDermott, Am. J. Phys. 64, 1370 (1996).
2. S. B. McKagan, K. K. Perkins, and C. E. Wieman, PERC Proceedings 2006, in press; preprint available at http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608239
3. http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/photoelectric/photoelectric.jnlp
4. This work was supported by NSF, The Kavli Institute, The Hewlett Foundation, and the University of Colorado.
Handley W.
McKagan S. B.
Perkins Katherine K.
Wieman Carl E.
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