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Physical Sciences and Mathematics

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The University of Maine

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Mathematics

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Investigation Of Student Understanding Of Representations Of Probability Concepts In Quantum Mechanics, William D. Riihiluoma Aug 2023

Investigation Of Student Understanding Of Representations Of Probability Concepts In Quantum Mechanics, William D. Riihiluoma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to relate physical concepts and phenomena to multiple mathematical representations—and to move fluidly between these representations—is a critical outcome expected of physics instruction. In upper-division quantum mechanics, students must work with multiple symbolic notations, including some that they have not previously encountered. Thus, developing the ability to generate and translate expressions in these notations is of great importance, and the extent to which students can relate these expressions to physical quantities and phenomena is crucial to understand.

To investigate student understanding of the expressions used in these notations and the ways they relate, clinical think-aloud interviews were conducted …


Student Application Of The Fundamental Theorem Of Calculus With Graphical Representations In Mathematics And Physics, Rabindra R. Bajracharya Aug 2014

Student Application Of The Fundamental Theorem Of Calculus With Graphical Representations In Mathematics And Physics, Rabindra R. Bajracharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One mathematical concept frequently applied in physics is the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC). Mathematics education research on student understanding of the FTC indicates student difficulties with the FTC. Similarly, a few studies in physics education have implicitly indicated student difficulties with various facets of the FTC, such as with the definite integral and the area under the curve representation, in physics contexts. There has been no research on how students apply the FTC in graphically-based physics questions.

This study investigated student understanding of the FTC and its application to graphically-based problems. Our interest spans several aspects of the FTC: …


A Reorganization In The Continuity Of Subject Matter In Mathematics, Beryl E. Warner Jun 1940

A Reorganization In The Continuity Of Subject Matter In Mathematics, Beryl E. Warner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers a reorganization in the order of arrangement of certain topics in elementary and undergraduate mathematics; i.e. , arithmetic, algebra, plane geometry, solid geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and calculus. Two terms important in the discussion are reorganization, the process of changing the relative position of topics or proofs in mathematics to an earlier or later place in the development of subject matter, and continuity, the logical order of topics arranged according to the need of one to explain the other.

The purpose of the thesis is two-fold; First, to show what arrangement of topics may be desirable; and, …