Developing a prototype conceptual survey in fundamental quantum physics

Abstract

In this paper, we describe research results of the performance of students in Thailand on a series of open-ended questions concerning some fundamental concepts in quantum physics. The questions were taken from the University of Maryland Tutorial (Redish, Steinber and Wieman 2006) and asked students to concentrate on the pattern appearing on the screen after electrons and light pass through a double slit. Some common conceptual difficulties were identified and analyzed. The findings from this study are being used to develop a conceptual survey in quantum physics. In this paper, we describe the development of this survey. It will be used in the first instance to compare Thai and Australian second year students.