English

Student difficulties with representations of quantum operators corresponding to observables

Physics Education 2017-01-06 v1

Abstract

Dirac notation is used commonly in quantum mechanics. However, many upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in physics have difficulties with representations of quantum operators corresponding to observables especially when using Dirac notation. To investigate these difficulties, we administered free-response and multiple-choice questions and conducted individual interviews with students in advanced quantum mechanics courses. We discuss the analysis of data on the common difficulties found.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1701.01411,
  title  = {Student difficulties with representations of quantum operators corresponding to observables},
  author = {Emily Marshman and Chandralekha Singh},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1701.01411},
  year   = {2017}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-22T17:42:14.122Z