Naslov
An Investigation of Conceptual Understanding of Atomic Spectra among University Students

Autori
Ivanjek, Lana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Ocjenski radovi, doktorska disertacija

Fakultet
Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet

Mjesto
Zagreb

Datum
27.04

Godina
2012

Stranica
251

Mentor
Veža, Damir

Neposredni voditelj
McDermott, Lillian

Ključne riječi
Physics education research; atomic spectra; student understanding; tutorial; spectroscopic methods; high pressure gas discharge; plasma parameters

Sažetak
This dissertation describes an investigation on conceptual understanding of discrete line spectra that was conducted among more than 1000 science majors at a Croatian and at an American university. Some serious conceptual and reasoning difficulties were identified. Students often could not relate spectral lines to transitions between atomic energy levels, nor did many recognize the experimental conditions necessary for the observation of line spectra. Results from the research guided the design and assessment of curriculum. The tutorial that was developed to help students understand the relationship between energy levels and atomic spectra proved effective. Significant progress was also made on research-based instructional materials related to the experimental apparatus. The investigation of student conceptual understanding was complemented by supplementary research that focused on the properties of plasma that are related to atomic processes. A determination of the parameters of mercury-indium plasma, which involved the application of experimental atomic spectroscopy methods, was an outcome of the experiments.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Fizika

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